mars

Hi All,

Does the Fuel System Cleaners that are avialble in market really help..
Has any one tried with TSX.

Could u pls share your thoughts..

Thanks
Mars

DuckDodgers

Techron is the gold standard in the market. That being said, the concentrated Red-Line fuel system cleaner is cheaper in the long run, and seems effective.

In the USA, the problem is that after the Fed's mandated certain minimum detergent levels in gasoline, those companies that were putting more in had an incentive to reduce their additives to the mandated level only. I run a bottle of Techron through my vehciles every 12 months or so...may not be often enough, but I've never had fuel system problems either.

visuelz

I've used the Preston Complete fuel system cleaner. It works great. Starting up the car is a lot easier when you first use it. You also feel the car responds more.

dnd2984

iTrader: (6)

I use seafoam

JTso

iTrader: (2)

There is really no need to use any additives as long as you use good quality gasoline. I regularly use Chevron and have sent injectors to RC Engineering for flow check and cleaning. The before and after results were almost identical. If you have to use something for "tune-up" purposes, then I would also recommend Techron or Redline. I have used them in the used cars that I purchased as part of the complete fluid, belts, hoses change process.

moda_way

I also have used Techron before in my old 89 325i BMW as part of a yearly maintenance process. The car was tough to get rid of because it ran as good at 187k miles as it did after break in.

Simba91102

May want to rethink using any of that stuff now. My marine mechanic told me that pretty much all of the supplements can turn nasty thanks to the ethanol that's in the gas.

rugbybrado

someone already said this but techron is kinda looked at as the 'gold standard' ...ive used it before and i also use berrymans b-12 fuel cleaner.

my step dad was a old ex mechanic and swears by berrymans and i know alot of older people who do too. ive used it in my 64 chevy truck, 93 chrysler, 03 saab 93, 05 altima, 06 saab 93...and i plan to use it in my new mazda 6...

like i mentioned i used techron and had no problem, and ive used berrymans(which is alot cheaper) and also have had no problems. i use berrymans ever other oil change right before i go on a long trip and also notice a slight increase in gas mileage during the trip.

either one is up to you i cant say which one works better because with either i dont get eye opening results because i keep my cars realitivly clean when i have them...

DuckDodgers

I'll call that urban legend. The fact is, across the US the gas now has up o 10% ethanol. If Techron was to form a problem material or solution with ethanol, Chevron would have yanked it from the market quickly to aviod having to pay for a bunch of damaged engines.

If you can provide firm data, please do.

visuelz

I just bought 2 bottles of Prestone Fuel System Cleaner at AutoZone for free after rebates!

Simba91102

Please don't shoot the messenger; I'm just repeating what I was told by a trained technician whose opinion I'd value more than the anecdotal stories presented here. And if you want to get into the whole urban myth thing, I think you need look no further than the subject of this thread. Like 3000 mile oil changes, the need for fuel additives is just more hype.

sidssp

I heard the same thing from my Acura dealer.

vasu

a bottle of Techron says it's good for 12 gallons .. would there be any problem dumping 2 bottles into a 17.1 gallon tank, i.e. using it at ~1.5x strength ?

DuckDodgers

The Autozone's here have two sizes...12 gallon and 20 gallon treatments.

As for the legend/truth on the problem with ethanol. I say again, once a recommendation comes from fuel companies, or a statement by the additive companies, or some hard data (not respected tech, er, friend's bosses daughter, etc.) comes forward I'll buy it.

Since the Techron in the additive is just a more concentrated version of that in the gas we buy every day at a Chevron (and other company) station, we'd have the problem anyway! All gasoline is mandated to have detergent additives, and most use Techron...so if it's in our gas anyway, we should have seen this problem first hand!

As for the 3000 mile oil change, I haven't seen that recommended in here in quite some time. Even if you don't like it, the early changing of the oil before the additive package wears out is better than a late change, so...

Ashmoor 299

I just purchased a bottle of prestone because Techtron was out of stock..
I have a MDX but was trying to put the prestone in my BMW 525....prestone has a serious problem with the bottle design!!!
I was not long and narrow enough to put in the filler hole!!
Most ended up on the ground and on the side of my car!!
I call customer support and got a dude in India!!...Never had a problem with the Techtron and will only buy it in the future...

deepen03

yea i have tried it a few times, its pretty good. i usually use that or the gumout high mileage one.

they are probably the best on the market IMO.

losothefatso

I actually just seafoamed my car yesterday. To my opinion I felt the car had a better response after. And it was pretty fun with the smoke.

davidspalding

Sounds like overkill to me. I'd do the "recommended." If you want full potential, just don't fill up when you put it in.

I was using Techron that I bought cheap at Costco ... but from all that I hear ... it's unnecessary since I consistently use top tier gas (Exxon or Shell). I've also heard here that you want to use one of these just before an oil change, as it dirties up the oil.

As to the "additives turn to gunk with today's fuel," if someone, anyone, can point to a 1st quality source online (written, not forum posts), I'd like to read it. I know, you trust your technician or your service manager, but where DID THEY HEAR IT? Such is the risk of word of mouth anecdotes, you don't know the source.