Do fuel system cleaners actually work? Testing Gumout "All-in-One"

[dogfish246]

Hey guys,
We always hear about how people use fuel system cleaners to clean the engine but unless you have a dirty injector with a misfire, who knows if the fuel cleaners actually do anything?!?! I was originally doing this on my BMW but the engine was really clean. Almost no carbon deposits at all!

In this video I show before and after using Gumout "All in one" fuel system cleaner which claims after one use, you will see results.

Let me know what you think!

[cpie168]

I thought a lot of car guys vouch for Chevron Techron? I just bought a shitload of that stuff from Costco in the US on a recent road trip, which happened to be on sale, about $13 for 6 bottles. I bought 6 cases for a total of 36 bottles because they run for about $15 each bottle here in Canada!

[ShocknAwe]

Techron is good stuff.

[Meeni]

Techtron works. I have no idea about the gumout or any other brand. Many of these additives -are- snake oil.

[EJL]

I'm wondering if it was used all along the life of the engine if it would prevent the deposits

[davis449]

Products I will\have used and endorse (FWIW):

Fuel System Treatments:
Lubro Moly Jectron
Lubro Moly Valve Clean
BG 44K
Chevron Techron

Octane Boosters:
NOS Octane Booster Race Formula
Lucas Oil Octane Booster Racing Formula

NOTE: Yes, I do I understand that octane boosters are fucking useless for the most part. The above products mentioned were used in every tank (yeah, I bought like 7 bottles of Lucas the last time ) for my road trips to Vegas in both my APR 93 octane tuned cars. I wouldn't pay for the option for the 91 program on either car because I live and travel most frequently in an area of TX where 93 is abundant. West of Junction, TX 93 is virtually non-existent and 92 very rarely found. So I used those products after extensive research that found them to effectively raise the octane close enough to what my tune required. I never felt the ECU pull timing while running it. I definitely had felt a significant enough loss of power running 91 in a 93 tuned car previously on trips out to my hometown in west TX. It doesn't cause really any harm as the APR tune would simply let the Bosch ECU make adjustments as necessary. I doubt I will ever need it again with this car, even with my eventual Cobb tune.

[Rawl]

Techron is what I use. It is also what BMW sells under their own brand for twice the cost.

[E90Fleet]

As mentioned, Techron is fully approved by BMW and Mini and sold under their own branding.

It is also recommended for use on a number of BMW Service bulletins relating to dirty combustion chambers and fuel systems due to bad quality fuel.

[fefe_e90]

Do you guys use the Techron fuel cleaner only when an oil change is soon due? Or does it not matter when you add it?

I've heard that its best to change the oil soon after you've finished the tank with the fuel cleaner.

[E90Fleet]

Originally Posted by felixf30

Do you guys use the Techron fuel cleaner only when an oil change is soon due? Or does it not matter when you add it?

I've heard that its best to change the oil soon after you've finished the tank with the fuel cleaner.

No such recommendation from either BMW or Chevron/Caltex for Techron.
Other cleaners may be different.

[ZIPNBYE]

Redline SI-1 is great stuff. It used to be sold by BMW as their own (a diluted form, known as Redline SI-2).

Important thing to remember is that after cycling any of these types of products through either one tank (full bottle shock cleaning) or multiple tanks (maintenance type of cleaning) you must change your oil.

[Red Bread]

These are all fuel based? So no help with carbon buildup on the intake side for DI motors, right?

[ZIPNBYE]

Originally Posted by Red Bread

These are all fuel based? So no help with carbon buildup on the intake side for DI motors, right?

Correct.

[Dackelone]

BMW does not endorse using ANY fuel cleaners. None. I think that ought to tell you something.

BMW does say to use only top tier fuel. I think that is more important.

[davis449]

Originally Posted by Dackelone

BMW does not endorse using ANY fuel cleaners. None. I think that ought to tell you something.

BMW does say to use only top tier fuel. I think that is more important.

Yet, virtually ALL European car dealers (including BMW) have BG 44K in their shop inventory...I think THAT ought to tell you something.

[E90Fleet]

Originally Posted by Dackelone

BMW does not endorse using ANY fuel cleaners. None. I think that ought to tell you something.

SIB 13 05 06 aswell as SIB 13 02 06 says to use "BMW Group Fuel System Cleaner Plus" P/N 82 14 0 413 341 (Which is Techron with a BMW label), for many fuel system and combustion problems

[E90Fleet]

Unfortunately even the Top Tier brands are lowering their additives in many parts of the world

One of the reasons Caltex have recently introduced the Techron bottles here

[Red Bread]

I'm still not following the purpose, at least when the majority of (at least German) engines are now DI and will require a more thorough cleaning anyway.

[Meeni]

The additive is most effective at cleaning injectors than anything else. But that's the source of most problems in the first place.

[Red Bread]

Originally Posted by Meeni

The additive is most effective at cleaning injectors than anything else. But that's the source of most problems in the first place.

Direct injectors or port? DI engines are having more serious issues with carbon buildup on the intake valves and diminished flow. I've heard of some injector issues, but far fewer than carbon issues.

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by E90Fleet

SIB 13 05 06 aswell as SIB 13 02 06 says to use "BMW Group Fuel System Cleaner Plus" P/N 82 14 0 413 341 (Which is Techron with a BMW label), for many fuel system and combustion problems

Interesting! Thanks for posting. But when I look up that part number on RealOEM.com it's not a good part number. ?

I will check with my BMW Zentrum. But even IF you use this product... it will only clean your injectors and fuel system. It won't clean off any carbon buildup on the intake valves, since the injectors, are direct in the combustion chamber.

[E90Fleet]

Originally Posted by Dackelone

It won't clean off any carbon buildup on the intake valves, since the injectors, are direct in the combustion chamber.

Remember there are millions of BMW's out there with engines from before the recent introduction of direct injection for petrol engines