Fuel System Cleaners

I've heard that some of them can actually do damage to the car's exhaust system. Is there a recommended fuel system cleaner for MB cars?

I read somewhere that Chevron's Techron concentrate was recommended by M-B. Someone else should, of course, correct me if I am mistaken. I do know that a lot of folks swear by the stuff.

[Mike Murrell]

MB manuals say not to use any additives. Some folks here swear by Techron and just recently there was quite a discussion on a product sold at GM dealerships. I've used the Lubro-Moly fuel system cleaner and Techron. I wasn't able to detect any improvemnt in performance, smoother idle; better gas mileage.

I wonder if quality fuel and an occasional "spirited drive" are better alternatives.

[RunningTooHot]

You may want to look at this thread, it is long but Techron does come up in the middle.

Hard starting?

To save you some time & effort, here is a quote from a posting I made in that thread:

<<< I second the motion by Rdetoy. Techron used to be stocked at the local MBZ dealers in Southern California years ago. It is undoubtedly effective stuff. So is the Ventil Sauber; it is excellent. They are probably the only two truly effective (gasoline) injection cleaners on the market; they are not snake oil.

Problem was that some brain surgeons thought that if one can of techron is good, then two or three is better. Or they would add it at every fill up. Wrong move. The techron would ‘wash away’ the oil from the cylinder bores (actually it didn’t physically remove it per se, it broke down the oil film and thus made it ineffective. Mercedes ended up eating quite a few engines on warranty because of its misuse, and Presto - no more Techron at the dealers.

Definitely change your oil after running through the Techron. I always use a bottle of techron or vetil sauber in the tank of gas used prior to the next oil change on my gas engined babies. >>>

Also, Mike Murrell is referring to what is known as X-66, and it is NOT a fuel additive. DO NOT add X-66 to your gas tank! I can only guess as to the consequences, but I’d bet you would have every rubber line in the fuel system *melt* from the inside out. And if the possibility of self-immolation is not bad enough, the garbage resulting from the breakdown would plug every small orifice in the system, i.e., injectors, and fuel distributor (in the case of CIS cars).


[Edited by RunningTooHot on 07-05-2001 at 12:43 PM]

[anthonyb]

Out of curiosity, does anyone know how much Techron goes into the gas at Chevron stations? Given some of what it's known to do to engines, does that mean I shouldn't fill up with Chevron (which is/was my regular gas station) every time?

anthony

[RunningTooHot]

Not much. I wouldn’t worry about that at all. And I tend to worry about my cars a lot . If you’re like me, you’ll need to find something else to worry about.

Techron will also clean out contaminants in the tank and flush them down toward the injectors and cause all kinds of problems if TOO MUCH is used. Follow directions on can. Don't use it every week, either. I use it. I like it. But I follow the directions. It seems the older I get the more advanced (effective)products have become. Of course this makes it imperative to follow all directions (even the small print).

[Mervyn]

Runningtoohot,

Have you tried Lubro-Moly's "MOS2 Anti-Friction Engine Treatment"?

I will be getting my oil changed next month. Going by your post, a can of Ventil Sauber should be sufficient just before the oil change, yeah? Or should I run it on 2 alternate gas refills?

Thanks!

Mervyn
1983 W126 (280SEL)

[RunningTooHot]

Southern_Son: Yes Techron will attack some crud (a highly technical term ) in the tank & lines, but using “too much” as you stated is not going to be a significant factor in determining whether or not this is an issue. Additionally, that’s what a fuel filter is for – catching particulate matter. The only places where crud *could* be dislodged and possibly influence injector cleanliness is the lines *between* the filter & injectors, fuel distributor, etc. Then there are screens on the injector inlets that are a ‘last defense’, so it really is not an issue, unless your fuel system resembles a toxic waste pit. There ARE other very serious implications to using too much Techron; primarily engine lubrication related. See related posting & URL above.

Mervyn: I have not tried the Lubri-Moly engine treatment. I am somewhat conservative about using additives other than the *very* few tried, tested, and useful products such as certain fuel system treatments & water wetter from Redline. Molybdenum Disulphide is a very slippery substance and has been used for decades as an additive. However, modern engine oils are sophisticated blends that do not require additives. In fact, you can actually do more harm than good in certain instances. Don’t bother throwing your money down the drain, er, sump. Use high quality oil, and to steal a quote from a well respected member here “Change it hot & change it often”.