Fuel additives, your experiences.

[DSK]

Originally Posted by volvoid

are these wonderful improvements due mainly to p155 poor quality dirty fuel overseas ?
Are these products worth using in a UK car that seems to have no issues ?

With regards to poorer quality fuel abroad, I cannot comment as a I don't if that is case etc. A bottle of turbo cleaner was just the cheapest way of seeing if any difference would be made as people in India tend to drive in a higher gears, labouring the engine etc so you never get a good clear out.

As for the petrol injector cleaner, I just throw a bottle of it in once every 6 months to do my bit to help keep the injectors at their best. A bottle will not give you 100% perfect injectors like ultrasonic cleaning if ones injectors are in a bad state and your car has more severe issues but, can help improve their performance. So I just throw a bit in a every so often to ensure any build up that may begin is removed easily.

Volvo C70 T5 injectors after 130,000 miles before ultrasonic cleaned (I've seen a lot worse with cars that have half the mileage).

poorflow

After ultrasonic cleaning

goodflow

On a personal note, I'm not one for using additives aimlessly to cure a problem. However, I do believe that 'some' additives can help keep a system that is in a good state of repair better maintained over the long run. I'll also add that I only use Shell Vpower in my Volvo's and on anything else that doesn't need a better quality fuel, I still stick with Shell fuels.

[Delta66]

Originally Posted by Peter86

I've used Miller's in the past.

- Engine seemed slightly quieter and its suppose to boost octane.
- Can't say if I noticed much fuel saving but if I did it was offset by the cost of buying it.
- if you spilt a drop on your hands or the bottle it would smell the car out, didn't bother me personally.
- don't know if it helped my engine in anyway.

I don't bother with it anymore and tend to buy good branded diesel, Costco if possible as its premium at supermarket prices. Saying that my father has a Fiat Doblo that he's had from new and now has over 180,000 running on supermarket fuels. Original turbo and injectors and only ever been the garage for MOT's, brake disks/pads and oil changes etc. Think the key to its success is driving at 60, not driving hard and driving round France a few times a year.

I think that is the issue with many additives. There is more hope and expectation rather than real evidence they worked. A good long drive and Italian tune up can clean out an engine as much as an additive. I am doubtful about improved power and MPG claims made for these products.

But, there is evidence Cataclean improves emissions due to testimony of failed and then passed MOTs. The Dry Fuel did take the water out of my tank. The STP treatment did settle the idle issue.

So for specific jobs, they do work.

[Proghound]

Both the C70's came to me with very low (20-25k) mileage so I just added fuel (Shell standard issue throughout) and drove them. I did later run the odd bottle of fuel system cleaner through the D5 when I thought I might be having an engine-related vibration.

The Golf cabrio I had before that was running very rough when I picked it up at 110k, I'd seen video of it idling and revving but not driven it. A bottle of Wynn's sorted that out almost instantly.

Mindful of that I did the same to the 97k Audi A2 diesel I recently acquired, although that felt reasonably happy on the test drive. I think it's still made an improvement in smoothness - albeit a rather relative concept on a 3-cylinder engine.

[dingov70]

AS additives go , I was once advised to add 1 pint ( 567ml ) of dextron fluid to a tank of diesel to swell seals & improve running . Advisor as an OLD school diesel injection specialist , he regulalrly ran problem vehicles on a diesel \ dextron \ kerosene mix to sort out injector problems .

From my wondering about auto trasn fluid , it must have some wonderful properties as a cleaner , as I used this method to eliminate a sticking diesel inejctor when out green roading . Black smoke & banging gone within 15 minutes as needle freed off

[ITSv40]

I have used additives intermittently since the days of Redex, never seen any improvement. I cannot say they have not worked, but also cannot say I just wasted my money.

I do use Forte engine flush every second oil change, change the oil every 7,000mls or so, use Shell Ultra oil and only BP or Shell petrol. Cars sail through the mot every year and in fact the C70 was so low this year it failed to register on the test equipment. My MOT chappie said ''these Volvo engines are renowned for running clean and with the oversize cat not much comes out the exhaust''

No substitute for a well maintained car running on good oil and petrol.

[Prufrock]

Mathy - TUV approved.

Jon.

[Mick787]

When I bought my XC60 D5 MY16, the main dealership told me NOT to use fuel additives. They said it was not recommended. They never said why or what using such products may do in the way of harm. As a result I've not used anything other than the odd tank of non supermarket fuel, or as a special treat, a tank of 'Ultimate' diesel twice a year.
I know my last car, a BMW 318D clearly stated on a label mounted on it, 'do not use additives'. Prior to that car I'd been using Redex for years. Never had any issues. Saying that, I have no idea if it made any difference. Guess it may have a placebo effect?

[volvoid]

Originally Posted by Prufrock

Mathy - TUV approved.

Jon.

TUV is a safety test, it means very little, barely worth the paper its printed on.
Its gets put on loads of products as it is German so the gullible think it must mean that the product is good. Go to a poundshop and see for yourself.
At best, ignore it.

[Dippydog]

Used to use Redex-it was called "upper cylinder lubricant"-back when it was 1d a shot on the forecourt.I have used the odd bottle of Redex fuel treatment/injector cleaner from time to time.Like others I don't know that it's made a blind bit of difference but nor do I think it's hurt any.

[john.wigley]

Originally Posted by Dippydog

Used to use Redex-it was called "upper cylinder lubricant"-back when it was 1d a shot on the forecourt.I have used the odd bottle of Redex fuel treatment/injector cleaner from time to time.Like others I don't know that it's made a blind bit of difference but nor do I think it's hurt any.

I too used Redex as a UCL in the dim and distant past, 'Dippydog' - one 'shot' to a gallon. It gave me a nice 'warm' feeling that I was looking after my engine, and saved the garage giving me change when buying 4 gallons of 'Regular' at 4/11 per gallon!

I do however wonder if its - or any other additives - use in a catalyst equipped vehicle might be detrimental towards that component?

Regards, John.