Fuel additives, your experiences.

[Delta66]

I have used fuel additives three times now and thought it would help to share my results and to see how others have found them to work, or not as the case may be.

1 - Cataclean. The claim is "Helps to reduces emissions by up to 60%, Maintains and protects the Catalytic Converter, Improves fuel economy".

The car sailed through its emission test, there was no measured improvement in MPG.

Inconclusive if it helped or not.

2 - Wynn's Dry Fuel. The claim is "Absorbs water from the fuel tank.
Cleans fuel injectors. Protects against rust and corrosion. Prevents carburettor and fuel filter icing. Provides a better cold start performance.
Improves fuel economy. Restores lost power."

Used as part of a cure for lumpy running and variable idling. It certainly took water out of the tank, since after adding it, the car experienced some short losses in power as the fuel/additive/water mix was burnt off. There was no measured improvement in MPG or any feeling of improved power. Other fixes sorted the lumpy running and variable idle.

Inconclusive if it helped or not, but it did appear to remove water from the tank.

3 - STP Petrol Treatment. The claim is "help reduce fuel consumption and emissions by keeping the fuel intake system clean of harmful deposits."

Used when the idle speed dropped to an even but low 4-500 rpm and following instructions here;

https://www.volvoclub.org.uk/faq/Eng...#Idle_Problems

"First Clean the Fuel System.....add a bottle of Techron or equivalent fuel system cleaner to your tank" So I did and it has worked. After 10 miles the idle returned to a healthy 7-800rpm. The STP suggestion is to add every 100 miles. I think I will add only when and of necessary.

Conclusion, it has worked.

[DSK]

I only use Forte brand additives.


Turbo Diesel Cleaner

Took a bottle of Diesel Turbo cleaner to use on a old Ford Endeavour 4x4 3.0ltr diesel abroad a few months to a trip to India.

Added a bottle to the tank when filling up. Took a few hours but the car ran began to become more responsive and by the end of the week was genuinely cruising quicker. On a stretch of road I used daily I could only get to 98kmph and by the end of the week it was doing just a touch over 130kmph. Generally more responsive and accelerated better lower down.

Specialist Injector Cleaner

I stay on top of my cars and whilst I'm trying to get a full new set of VXR injectors (to support some light modifications), but car is running ace as is, I have been throwing a bottle of this in a couple of times a year (once ever 15,000 miles).

I do notice slightly better MPG for like for like driving but its about 1.6mpg better when used and thereafter. First time I put it in at approximately 90,000 miles on my daily C70 T5, towards the end of the tank and afterwards the part throttle performance was a bit sharper and stronger.

[john.wigley]

I have never had occasion to use a fuel additive since the days of 'a shot of 'Redex' sir?'. Would you recommend their use, either routinely, or in an attempt to cure fuel system issues?

Regards. John.

[XCmacca]

Archoil AR6400-D MAX Professional Diesel Engine, Turbo, DPF & CAT Cleaner Concentrate

After reading many reviews I poured a bottle of this stuff in my last car, the results were very noticeable within half a tank of fuel, car was so much more responsive and engine was getting a good clean. I have since poured a bottle in both cars we own with great results

[4x4]

Another Forte user here, best additives on the market IMO

[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 ?

Originally Posted by DSK

I only use Forte brand additives.


Turbo Diesel Cleaner

Took a bottle of Diesel Turbo cleaner to use on a old Ford Endeavour 4x4 3.0ltr diesel abroad a few months to a trip to India.

Added a bottle to the tank when filling up. Took a few hours but the car ran began to become more responsive and by the end of the week was genuinely cruising quicker. On a stretch of road I used daily I could only get to 98kmph and by the end of the week it was doing just a touch over 130kmph. Generally more responsive and accelerated better lower down.

Specialist Injector Cleaner

I stay on top of my cars and whilst I'm trying to get a full new set of VXR injectors (to support some light modifications), but car is running ace as is, I have been throwing a bottle of this in a couple of times a year (once ever 15,000 miles).

I do notice slightly better MPG for like for like driving but its about 1.6mpg better when used and thereafter. First time I put it in at approximately 90,000 miles on my daily C70 T5, towards the end of the tank and afterwards the part throttle performance was a bit sharper and stronger.

[cam]

Lucas fuel treatment seems to have cured my fiat scudo injector blockage

[green van man]

Another Luças user.
Add it to full tank prior to long runs towing on the Volvo. Do not see huge difference but it keeps things clean and is supposedly an octagon booster.
Use mineral 2T oil as an additive in the landrover. Certainly makes a difference to the smooth running of the older technology 300 TDI.

Paul.

[john.wigley]

Originally Posted by green van man

Another Luças user.
Add it to full tank prior to long runs towing on the Volvo. Do not see huge difference but it keeps things clean and is supposedly an octagon booster.
Use mineral 2T oil as an additive in the landrover. Certainly makes a difference to the smooth running of the older technology 300 TDI.

Paul.

Interesting you should say that, Paul, I hadn't thought of two-stroke oil as an additive - which, of course, it is!

What ratio do you use? My Wartburg, back in the seventies, ran on 50:1, which I thought weak, but never experienced any problems. My Raleigh mopeds ran on 16:1, which resulted in a blue haze that was intoxicating!

Regards, John.

[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.