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Fuel System Cleaners - any good?
Posted: Tue Jun 14, 2022 08:43
by StevoXL
Anyone have any experience & opinion on fuel system cleaners like Redex, Liquid Moly, Wynn's, STP etc?
The last time I used Redex was on a MK1 escort in the 80s, all I remember was a very impressive plume of smoke as I assume carbon deposits were cleared out
All claim cleaning valves, pistons, jets, fuel lines and have tons of 5 star reviews with prices ranging from £5 to £20. Sounds great.
But, do they really work, what's your experience and any negatives?
.
Re: Fuel System Cleaners - any good?
Posted: Tue Jun 14, 2022 10:46
by alanmoss
i have used Wynns Formula Gold both on petrol and diesel cars. Both seem effective.
Emissions on the Excel on 08/03/22:
CO 0.25 max test limit 4.50
HC 235 max test limit 1200
Re: Fuel System Cleaners - any good?
Posted: Tue Jun 14, 2022 12:57
by lambert.john
Back in the 'seventies I regularly added some Wynn's Racing Formula to the oil, with each oil change. This was to a 1000cc Minivan. The performance of that Minivan was quite remarkable, happy to cruise at 70+ and would regularly show 90 on the speedo. A cop who stopped me on one occasion tried to tell me that, as a commercial vehicle, I was limited to 50mph!
To be honest I can't say for sure if the Wynn's had anything to do it, but I certainly didn't have any negatives, and it was a small investment to make at each oil change.
I've not used any such additives lately, other than the octane boosters for use with standard unleaded petrol. (Even that's a no-no now because of the higher ethanol content, and super-unleaded - at 5% ethanol - is a must).
Re: Fuel System Cleaners - any good?
Posted: Tue Jun 14, 2022 12:59
by StevoXL
Sounds good. My Excel on last MOT was CO .91, although may just need a carb tune of course. HC about the same.
Re: Fuel System Cleaners - any good?
Posted: Tue Jun 14, 2022 13:06
by StevoXL
lambert.john wrote: ↑Tue Jun 14, 2022 12:57
Back in the 'seventies I regularly added some Wynn's Racing Formula to the oil, with each oil change. This was to a 1000cc Minivan. The performance of that Minivan was quite remarkable, happy to cruise at 70+ and would regularly show 90 on the speedo. A cop who stopped me on one occasion tried to tell me that, as a commercial vehicle, I was limited to 50mph!
To be honest I can't say for sure if the Wynn's had anything to do it, but I certainly didn't have any negatives, and it was a small investment to make at each oil change.
I've not used any such additives lately, other than the octane boosters for use with standard unleaded petrol. (Even that's a no-no now because of the higher ethanol content, and super-unleaded - at 5% ethanol - is a must).
Thanks John, impressive minivan! Agree, small outlay...makes me slightly nervous for some reason. Probably the cost and hassle of sorting any problems with the 912
Re: Fuel System Cleaners - any good?
Posted: Tue Jun 14, 2022 15:36
by bash
The bobby was right, if on a single carriageway road, 50 mph. I love very small cars, Ive folded myself into a fiat 126 back in the day that was my runaround when I had TVRs, anything over 50 mph was a bonus though.
Bash
Re: Fuel System Cleaners - any good?
Posted: Tue Jun 14, 2022 16:29
by richardw
bash wrote: ↑Tue Jun 14, 2022 15:36
The bobby was right, if on a single carriageway road, 50 mph. I love very small cars, Ive folded myself into a fiat 126 back in the day that was my runaround when I had TVRs, anything over 50 mph was a bonus though.
Bash
Are you sure Bash? I agree that most vans are subject to that limit (and 60mph on dual carriageways) but the minivan is a car derived van and so is subject to car speed limits.
Don’t ask me how I know!
Cheers, Richard
Re: Fuel System Cleaners - any good?
Posted: Tue Jun 14, 2022 20:47
by TAR
I've used fuel additives to help clean injectors etc but I would never use an oil additive. Oil manufacturers spend loads of time perfecting their oil. If it could be improved so much with a £5 bottle of something extra, I think they would have incorporated it in the first place.
Re: Fuel System Cleaners - any good?
Posted: Wed Jun 15, 2022 22:59
by StevoXL
Agree...read a few horror stories with oil adatives
Re: Fuel System Cleaners - any good?
Posted: Thu Jun 16, 2022 08:00
by CID
TAR wrote: ↑Tue Jun 14, 2022 20:47
I've used fuel additives to help clean injectors etc but I would never use an oil additive. Oil manufacturers spend loads of time perfecting their oil. If it could be improved so much with a £5 bottle of something extra, I think they would have incorporated it in the first place.
+1 for me. Don't mess with oil. It will not comply to the norm.
A fuel additive is indeed useful. Specially if you have used the car not regularly.
RGDS Curt
Re: Fuel System Cleaners - any good?
Posted: Sat Jul 08, 2023 22:54
by rogbmw
I have used Seafoam here in the US with very good and noticeable results. I don't know if it is available in Europe or not.