fuel injector cleaners

[shaftymcgee7]

For those of you using the cheap gas do you think its worth it to run injector cleaner through it every 10k miles or so ? i get the 87 oct gas from costco due to my work paying for it and want to avoid any problems down the line any suggestions on stuff i should run through every once in a while, FI cleaner, seafoam ect?

 

[eddiebx]

For those of you using the cheap gas do you think its worth it to run injector cleaner through it every 10k miles or so ? i get the 87 oct gas from costco due to my work paying for it and want to avoid any problems down the line any suggestions on stuff i should run through every once in a while, FI cleaner, seafoam ect?

I honestly have no clue if we need them or not, but if you do want to use some, try to stick to the higher quality cleaners such as Redline SI-1 or Chevron Techron...from what I understand they contain a higher quality detergent/cleaner/chemical thing called "PEA" that is great for specifically cleaning the fuel injection?

Personally, I would avoid putting seafoam in your fuel since it seems to be more like an all in one everything cleaner, instead of a special purpose cleaner. It dissolves carbon build up like no other, but seems kind of harsh IMO, so I really only use it for soaking things.

FWIW, approximately 1000-2000 miles ago, I put in a bottle of Redline SI-1, and I did not notice any difference, lol.

I wouldn't worry too much about using Costco gas, they are pretty committed to providing top quality everything, so I would rank them up there with most top tier gas stations.

 

[sandcrawler]

i don't use "cheap gas", per se, but still run a can of BG44K through once a year prior to an oil change. running out the last of a treated tank right now, in fact.

 

[flyrv9]

Cheap Gas! What's that?

 

[Jim82]

For those of you using the cheap gas do you think its worth it to run injector cleaner through it every 10k miles or so ? i get the 87 oct gas from costco due to my work paying for it and want to avoid any problems down the line any suggestions on stuff i should run through every once in a while, FI cleaner, seafoam ect?

When I lived in MN, I had to use Costco, Holiday, BP and other random petro stations. I also would to use E85 gas. As such I would drop a bottle of Chevron Techron in to my gas tank every 3-5k miles depending on how much E85 I used during that time period. This was in my 05 Explorer. I did notice that when I moved back to WA and used only Chevron Gas I got more "git up and go" power, seems a few horses came back to life. I also ran a few bottles of the Techron through one after another for like 2-3 tanks.

Growing up, my old man always made us use Chevron when filling any of the family cars. Now that i'm pack in the PacNW, I can continue to use Chevron, and better off for it... I think.
I've only used Chevron in my 4Runner. But since I purchased it used, I've run Techron through two tanks. While I have not noticed any difference in my 4Runner, I noticed a great difference in my Explorer.

I do have a bottle of Seafoam ready to use, though I'm still not quite sure on it's application. The bottom states put it in to like three different locations with the last of it going in to the fuel tank... I'm not disconnecting any vacuum hoses.

 

[shaftymcgee7]

hmm seems like theres a lot of different op's about FI cleaners some say they are worth it some say they are a placebo, dont really plan on using seafoam on my runner anytime soon was gonna dump some in my wifes 01 corolla to help improve mpg's driveabilty ect, but will prob drop some FI cleaner in my runner next tank or something more as a preventive measure than to fix anything. runner runs perfectly just want it to still be that way in 10-15 years. So would you say techron or another brand?

 

[WV runner]

I use nothing but Chevron Techron and have for years. 1 big bottle at every oil change and have never had a problem.

 

[Whiteshadow89158]

I drive all over the country for work so it's kinda hard to stay consistent with one chain. I always try to go to a major chain like shell, loves, chevron, Exxon, etc and use a bottle of STP injector cleaner every 3k miles as suggested on the bottle, I'm only at 23k miles and I bought the T4R brand new on 4th of July :boom: . I heard gumout is a good product.

 

[MidwestJ]

I'm a firm believer in Lucas Fuel Injector Cleaner. It has proved it's worth to me.

 

[Quatre Coureur]

Lucas Fuel Injector cleaner X2!

 

[huntsonora]

I honestly have no clue if we need them or not, but if you do want to use some, try to stick to the higher quality cleaners such as Redline SI-1 or Chevron Techron...from what I understand they contain a higher quality detergent/cleaner/chemical thing called "PEA" that is great for specifically cleaning the fuel injection?

This

If it doesn't have PEA in it you are wasting your time IMO. PEA has a very "fishy" odor to it and it will keep your fuel system clean. I use Gumout with Regane every oil change

 

[testshoot]

When I was young, I lived in El Paso and worked in the service station industry, and I call it service station as we provided service, not just gas.

At that time, no matter where you went to get gas, it came from one of four sources.

Chevron had a refinery, and the lowest tested octane
Texaco had a refinery and leased parted of the refinert to Shell
Conoco piped in gas from somewhere.

Shell was the highest octane and also provided gas to Shamrock (amongst others) and I think Shamrock is now Valero.

I spent a lot of time talking to the Shamrock delivery driver as it took awhile to drop off our fuel load.

He said all the trucks for all the brands supplied by Shell filled from the same hose and the same thing happened at the other three suppliers. So no matter where you bought gas, you got the same gas.

Since at the time Chevron was the lowest octane and the most expensive, I never filled at Chevron. I don't even know if they had Techron back then, but the amount of Techron put in has to be so infinitesimal, I doubt it had any value and was more marketing than reality.

Another person in this string mentioned Minnesota where I moved to after Texas. There is one huge refinery there, Koch. I think they pretty much controlled the market, i.e. all stations there likely got there gas from one refinery. In my 55 years of driving I have always bought the cheapest gas I could find (Gas Buddy) and never had a fuel problem other than when ethanol was forced down our carburetor throats.

 

[WAT4R]

I add chevron Techron every oil change (5k) in all my vehicles. My wife's and my commuter honda now at 100k run like new. Do I need it? Who knows... but it isn't hurting anything either. A 6 pack of Techron at Costco is cheap.

 

[Bayou_Pro]

TOP TEIR gas stations: Here is some inside information from someone that is in the industry. Your so called top tier gas station, ( ie, Shell, Cheveron, ect) are only required to purchase a certain amount of that name brand fuel each month. After they meet this quota they can purchase from their supplier of choice. Check out the name on the trucks refilling you local stations when you pass by, it's probably not a branded tanker. Take that info for what's it worth. You best bet is to fill up at a higher volume station as the fuel is usually fresher and less contaminants.

 

[Bossman]

Some links about using top tier gasoline:

Consumers

Everything You Need to Know About Top Tier Gas | CARFAX

Study: Top Tier Gasoline Worth the Extra Price - Consumer Reports

Is Top Tier gasoline worth the extra money? - CUInsight

 

[TOYO74]

When I was young, I lived in El Paso and worked in the service station industry, and I call it service station as we provided service, not just gas.

At that time, no matter where you went to get gas, it came from one of four sources.

Chevron had a refinery, and the lowest tested octane
Texaco had a refinery and leased parted of the refinert to Shell
Conoco piped in gas from somewhere.

Shell was the highest octane and also provided gas to Shamrock (amongst others) and I think Shamrock is now Valero.

I spent a lot of time talking to the Shamrock delivery driver as it took awhile to drop off our fuel load.

He said all the trucks for all the brands supplied by Shell filled from the same hose and the same thing happened at the other three suppliers. So no matter where you bought gas, you got the same gas.

Since at the time Chevron was the lowest octane and the most expensive, I never filled at Chevron. I don't even know if they had Techron back then, but the amount of Techron put in has to be so infinitesimal, I doubt it had any value and was more marketing than reality.

Another person in this string mentioned Minnesota where I moved to after Texas. There is one huge refinery there, Koch. I think they pretty much controlled the market, i.e. all stations there likely got there gas from one refinery. In my 55 years of driving I have always bought the cheapest gas I could find (Gas Buddy) and never had a fuel problem other than when ethanol was forced down our carburetor throats.

We must be about the same age--LOL. I think a lot of people don't believe that gasoline is produced in only a hand full of refineries. My experience in refineries is from the 60's but not much has changed since.

Regarding brands and price: I have always bought the lowest priced fuel with the minimal octane rating for the engine I'm running, and have never had a problem with any engine. Currently, for my high tech 2016 4R, I just look for the lowest priced "top-tier" 87 octane fuel since that is what is recommended.

Back on topic: Periodically used cleaners in the past, but as others have said, couldn't tell any difference, and since "top-tier" fuels have cleaners in them, can't see why they are needed now.

 

[Lester Lugnut]

You best bet is to fill up at a higher volume station as the fuel is usually fresher and less contaminants.

In my area, that would be Murphy - seen out in front of Walmarts. For those who think they are part of Walmart - they are not.

Been running their gas since they showed up a few years back. All of my vehicles run just fine on it.

I used cleaners in the past and never noticed an improvement in performance or MPG. I no longer use them.

 

[Marine0369]

I'm a firm believer in Lucas Fuel Injector Cleaner. It has proved it's worth to me.

My Dad swears by the same and I have seen the benefits from him.

 

[Marine0369]

Right now I use Costco regular (most of the time) and I use Amsoil PI every 6000 miles or so.
When I had the BMW I used the Techron from Costco because that is what BMW recommended in their manual.

 

[fourwd1]

This thread isn't generation specific so I'm moving it from 5th Gen section to General Discussion section where others can benefit.