Do popular fuel system cleaners actually make a difference, or are they just a waste of money?
Posted by EvelynClede@reddit | askcarguys | View on Reddit | 6 comments
Rough_Cancel7265@reddit
A quality one will make some difference if your car needs it. How much? Hard to say
Kootsiak@reddit
Most are solvents that will do a mild job of cleaning the fuel system as it moves through, but how effective is up for debate. Most of these solvents will burn off in the combustion chamber, so they aren't very effective for cleaning beyond the injector.
PEA based cleaners don't burn off so quickly, so they can do a decent job of cleaning the combustion chamber beyond what can be done with normal gasoline, making them far more effective as a "Tune-Up In a Bottle" that these products are advertised as. This is the chemical that made Techron fuel so good for so long, but their patent expired about a decade ago and then companies like Redline, Gumout and Royal Purple started releasing PEA based injection cleaners shortly afterwards
PresentIron5379@reddit
Nearly all that you see on the market do something with some doing a better job an others. If you want one of those does the best job, find one with Polyetheramine (PEA).
DeepSi6@reddit
BG 44k works darn well anytime I’ve used it.
Unique_Wolf4513@reddit
I think ppl throw additives in they're car the same way people take random herbal supplements thinking it'll do something or fix something without knowing the underlying issues or if there even is an issue.
Sideburn_Cookie_Man@reddit
They're just a solvent. They objectively do what they claim, just not a lot.