Fuel Filter fun

I don't think injectors made since the early-mid 1990s clog up. At least Ford and some other manufacturers recommend against cleaning the injectors with solvents fed straight into the fuel lines.

Better hope not. Anything that does that is apt to redeposit them elsewhere.

Fuel detergents are no substitute for regular filter replacement.

For a discussion of fuel detergents, you should listen to Wesley Willis' classic song _STP Conked Out My Engine_.

--scott

Larry, Moe, and Curly, interesting info.

However, in one message, you say "Ford and some other manufacturers recommend against cleaning the injectors with solvents fed straight into the fuel lines" but in a different message you write, "Chevron claims that its Techron cleaner is recommended by GM, VW, Nissan, and Mercedes-Benz, among others."

So Ford says no, but GM says yes to Techron.

And of course, we all know that Techron is an additive in Chevron's gasoline, though I'm sure in smaller quantities than in the off-the-shelf Techron treatment. Would be nice to know what Toyota recommends.

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The maintainer of AutoEducation.com recommends using a fuel injector cleaner like Techron every 3 months. He writes: "A regular addition of fuel system cleaner like STP Injector Cleaner, or Techtron fuel system cleaner can help keep your injectors clean. Most gas stations, department stores and all automotive parts stores will have a good cleaner available. Add it to your empty tank right before you fill up and it will clean as you drive. I recommend doing this every 3 months to keep your injectors performing like new. Mechanics also offer a cleaning service where they actually disconnect the fuel line and flush cleaner through the engine. This is only necessary when you let your injectors get to a point where they can not be cleaned by a store-bought product. Regular use of a good in-tank cleaner will keep you from having to pay for this service."

Most of the add-to-the-tank products are actually soaps and detergents rather than solvents. The Lucas stuff is a pretty good detergent-based product.

--scott

About the only thing the '06 Camry manual says about detergents in gasoline is:

Gasoline Containing Detergent Additives

"Toyota recommends the use of gasoline that contains detergent additives to avoid build-up of engine deposits."

And that's about all the manual says....except for avoiding MMT.

Manual says it's okay to use "oxygenate-blended gasoline where the oxygenate content is up to 10 percent ethanol or 15 percent MTBE." "Toyota does not recommend the use of gasoline containing methanol."

Ethanol okay. Methanol nyet.

According to Chevron's web site:

"Techron has been an exclusive choice of the Big Three auto manufacturers for the past 25 years."

So it appears Ford does like Techron.

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It appears Techron is a solvent. Chevon's web site says Techron is PEA, "polyether amine" (Poly Ether Amine).

I believe ether is a solvent. Wikipedia suggests so.

And Ford likes Techron, if you believe Chevron's web site.

Most purchasers of after-market additives rely a good dose of confidence instilled by marketing and folklore to justify the expenditure. If one becomes convinced that STP, Bardahl, Techron or some other elixir will improve a car's performance then a change will likely be noticed that is unmeasurable by a third party.

That's certainly true.

Jeff

John S. makes a very good point. I personally would not use any after-market oil treatment. In an earlier post, I suggested folks look at a test found at BobIsTheOilGuy.com to see how Lucas Oil Treatment can harm your oil.

Here is the link again:

So don't put anything in your oil. Regarding gasoline, though, there does seem to be some scientific evidence that suggests Techron is a useful fuel additive.

Look at this picture comparing dirty and clean fuel injectors:

Using Techron Concentrate Plus once or twice a year may be helpful.

That's not a solvent, but it's also not a simple detergent either.

It is, but that is irrelevant.

--scott

If it is a liquid that can dissolve things, it is a solvent. Water is a solvent (just add sugar or salt and see the salt disappear). Gasoline is one too (just add oil to see). I suspect that polyether amine is also a solvent, but I don't know if it is a liquid or solid.

Jeff

Wiki's definition of solvent:

A solvent is a liquid that dissolves a solid, liquid, or gaseous solute, resulting in a solution. The most common solvent in everyday life is water.

Therefore, Techron is a solvent.

A little more info:

Solute: In chemistry, a solution is a homogeneous mixture composed of two or more substances. In such a mixture, a solute is dissolved in another substance, known as a solvent. A common example is a solid, such as salt or sugar, dissolved in water, a liquid.

Techron is a dispersant. At the molecular level, combines with carbon and breaks it up, the residue is then eliminated thru the exhaust. The original STP, bless it's heart, is a concentrated solution of ZDDP, the additive now being removed from oils ( API Certification CJ/SM) All this stuff (STP) will do, is prevent your sliding parts from grinding themselves into oblivion.. Don't use CJ/SM oils in your vintage engine!!

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RLI Bio-Syn oil has a whole lot of zinc and phosphorous in it (the primary components of ZDDP). RenewableLube.com if you want to buy the Bio-Syn oil.

Umm, that's been going on since 1992. (16 years for the math impaired)

( API Certification CJ/SM) All this stuff (STP) will do, is

A CJ/SM oil that also carries ACEA A3/B3 or A3/B4 approval will work perfectly well in a "vintage" engine.

Since API dropped the flat tappet wear tests from their test sequences and ACEA did NOT drop the flat tappet wear tests from

-their- test sequences, it's simply a matter of understanding which oil testing sequences are worth paying attention to and which aren't. API aren't.

All this top tier, injector cleaner, solvents turmoil and still no one recommends using plain Acetone =)