Are fuel additives worth using?

[zoldos]

I was looking at a 16oz Lucas Engine Additive "complete engine repair", where it says add to the fuel tank and it cleans injectors, etc. Is this worth it? My truck knocks just a bit when idling, but I've never used any additives on it before.

Can I get some opinions, or alternate suggestions? Thanks!

 

[ccssid]

I use a mechanic who is an absolute ace at his craft. He swears by :

https://www.amazon.com/TECHRON-266711163-Mileage-System-Cleaner/dp/B086FJV5J8/ref=asc_df_B086FJV5J8?mcid=6d44d72a3f2f377e8d91baf1094c7d01&hvocijid=12221638170789891136-B086FJV5J8-&hvexpln=73&tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=730434177080&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=12221638170789891136&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9016792&hvtargid=pla-2281435178098&psc=1

 

[Fastcar]

There is no such thing as a mechanic in a can .

 

[zoldos]

There is no such thing as a mechanic in a can .

My truck seems to run great (just got it out of the shop), and only slightly knocks at idle. It has great acceleration, cranks instantly, etc.

So don't waste time with fuel additives?

 

[whtbronco]

Do fuel system cleaners work, well to some extent some do. They certainly can help to clean fuel injectors and carburetors. That said I believe most do a better job when used to help prevent contamination than actually cleaning it up after symptoms develop.

I have only found 2 that seems to make a difference. Amsoil Performance Improver and Chevron Techron Complete Fuel System Cleaner. Amsoil PI has made a noticeable difference for some of my co-workers over the years indicating the fuel injectors were gummed up.

One more thought on this, using 100% gasoline is probably better long term than fuel system cleaner along with ethanol laden fuel. This is certainly the case for small engines such as lawn equipment, they cannot handle this corn syrup(ethanol) laden fuel. There are some gas stations that offer 100% gasoline, but not in all states and since it's not gov't subsidized it costs a bit more. Pure gasoline is $0.30/gal more in my area

Fastcar is correct there is no mechanic in a bottle that will fix any and every issue.

 

[zoldos]

Do fuel system cleaners work, well to some extent some do. They certainly can help to clean fuel injectors and carburetors. That said I believe most do a better job when used to help prevent contamination than actually cleaning it up after symptoms develop.

I have only found 2 that seems to make a difference. Amsoil Performance Improver and Chevron Techron Complete Fuel System Cleaner. Amsoil PI has made a noticeable difference for some of my co-workers over the years indicating the fuel injectors were gummed up.

One more thought on this, using 100% gasoline is probably better long term than fuel system cleaner along with ethanol laden fuel. This is certainly the case for small engines such as lawn equipment, they cannot handle this corn syrup(ethanol) laden fuel. There are some gas stations that offer 100% gasoline, but not in all states and since it's not gov't subsidized it costs a bit more. Pure gasoline is $0.30/gal more in my area

Fastcar is correct there is no mechanic in a bottle that will fix any and every issue.

Okay, thanks! I appreciate the feedback. @ccssid also mentioned Chevron Techron Complete Fuel System Cleaner, so I'll think I'll go with that. My truck runs exceptionally well for an '05 with 172k miles. I just want to be proactive.

 

[whtbronco]

I was thinking about this and realized I provided my answer for your fuel additive question, but dirty injectors is almost certainly not causing a knock.

There are several causes of engine knock. Carbon build-up in the combustion chamber, low oil level, low oil pressure, oil not capable of providing adequate viscosity or lubrication, low fuel octane rating, incorrect ignition timing, failed knock sensor and maybe others I can't think of at the moment.

Adding a quality fuel system cleaner won't hurt and might help with your engine knock. I use fuel system cleaner in our vehicles every 10k miles or once a year whichever comes first and have since new.

 

[zoldos]

I was thinking about this and realized I provided my answer for your fuel additive question, but dirty injectors is almost certainly not causing a knock.

There are several causes of engine knock. Carbon build-up in the combustion chamber, low oil level, low oil pressure, oil not capable of providing adequate viscosity or lubrication, low fuel octane rating, incorrect ignition timing, failed knock sensor and maybe others I can't think of at the moment.

Adding a quality fuel system cleaner won't hurt and might help with your engine knock. I use fuel system cleaner in our vehicles every 10k miles or once a year whichever comes first and have since new.

Cool, thanks for the update! Plus, I get $5.00 off of it at my local auto parts store since my birthday is coming up.

 

[ManUpOrShutUp]

I don't think there's much benefit if you're using even a halfway decent fuel, but it's not going to hurt anything. Pick something with PEAs (e.g. Techron) if you want to give it a go.

 

[BigOleFordFan]

There is no such thing as a mechanic in a can .

Sure there is, you just can't see him/her, hahahahaha

 

[zoldos]

I don't think there's much benefit if you're using even a halfway decent fuel, but it's not going to hurt anything. Pick something with PEAs (e.g. Techron) if you want to give it a go.

Thanks for the feedback!

 

[Fastcar]

I was looking at a 16oz Lucas Engine Additive "complete engine repair", where it says add to the fuel tank and it cleans injectors, etc. Is this worth it? My truck knocks just a bit when idling, but I've never used any additives on it before.

Can I get some opinions, or alternate suggestions? Thanks!

Wondering, is it a "knock" or a "rap" or a "slap"? What year? Mileage? Where on the engine are you hearing it? Does it do it every start up? Before you start dumping things into the tank or engine it would be helpful to diagnose a bit so you know what your trying to silence.

 

[GaryH]

Most top tier gasolines (Exxon, Mobil, Texaco, Shell, etc.) have additives that help keep the injectors and chamber clean er. If you are using grocery store gas or Murphy's, it wouldn't hurt to add injector cleaner every 5k or so.

 

[T Bird]

I've heard that fuel system additives can cause the twin turbos in the ecoboost to overheat. Any truth to that? Are additives safe with the turbos?

 

[zoldos]

Wondering, is it a "knock" or a "rap" or a "slap"? What year? Mileage? Where on the engine are you hearing it? Does it do it every start up? Before you start dumping things into the tank or engine it would be helpful to diagnose a bit so you know what your trying to silence.

It drives great. But if I "floor it", it will start to miss-fire, with the check engine light flashing several times. Same thing if the overdrive is ON. I always drive with it off, and it doesn't miss-fire, unless like I said, under very heavy acceleration. Besides that, it "knocks" just a bit during idle.

It's a 2005 XLT, with 172k miles. I just wanted to clean the injectors, etc. Preventive maintenance.

 

[zoldos]

Most top tier gasolines (Exxon, Mobil, Texaco, Shell, etc.) have additives that help keep the injectors and chamber clean er. If you are using grocery store gas or Murphy's, it wouldn't hurt to add injector cleaner every 5k or so.

Okay, thanks! I mainly use Exxon or Texaco.

 

[whtbronco]

It drives great. But if I "floor it", it will start to miss-fire, with the check engine light flashing several times. Same thing if the overdrive is ON. I always drive with it off, and it doesn't miss-fire, unless like I said, under very heavy acceleration. Besides that, it "knocks" just a bit during idle.

It's a 2005 XLT, with 172k miles. I just wanted to clean the injectors, etc. Preventive maintenance.

Those are not okay symptoms, well they wouldn't be okay with me. I wonder if you have a vacuum leak or fuel flow issue. With the OD enabled the rpm will drop and the amount of fuel consumed will as well so if there is a vacuum leak you'd have too much air and detonation could result. A vacuum leak would be less noticeable at higher rpm, like with OD disabled on the highway, as would a misfire from a faulty coil. Similar symptoms could also be caused by low fuel pressure or low fuel flow though. I think someone asked about replacing the fuel filter which for $10-15 and 10-20 minutes can't hurt. Unless you know it's been replaced in the last 20k miles or so.

The check engine light flashing indicates a serious issue.

 

[zoldos]

Those are not okay symptoms, well they wouldn't be okay with me. I wonder if you have a vacuum leak or fuel flow issue. With the OD enabled the rpm will drop and the amount of fuel consumed will as well so if there is a vacuum leak you'd have too much air and detonation could result. A vacuum leak would be less noticeable at higher rpm, like with OD disabled on the highway, as would a misfire from a faulty coil. Similar symptoms could also be caused by low fuel pressure or low fuel flow though. I think someone asked about replacing the fuel filter which for $10-15 and 10-20 minutes can't hurt. Unless you know it's been replaced in the last 20k miles or so.

The check engine light flashing indicates a serious issue.

The check engine light hasn't flashed like that in years, and it only did the other day during really, really heavy acceleration, at which point it miss-fired. When I first bought the truck, it miss-fired quite a bit, and a new coil fixed it. This was almost 4 years ago.

I'm aware of the current miss-fire issue, and driving with OD off seems to alleviate the problem for now, and I tend not to push the engine too hard.

The check engine light stays on all the time. There is a vacuum pressure issue in the fuel tank. The last mechanic I went to told me not to worry about it unless I notice issues. Not sure if it's related to the miss-fire. I plan on getting it fixed, as well as the miss-fire.

I'm currently saving money for a major tune up/repair.

 

[Fastcar]

The check engine light hasn't flashed like that in years, and it only did the other day during really, really heavy acceleration, at which point it miss-fired. When I first bought the truck, it miss-fired quite a bit, and a new coil fixed it. This was almost 4 years ago.

I'm aware of the current miss-fire issue, and driving with OD off seems to alleviate the problem for now, and I tend not to push the engine too hard.

The check engine light stays on all the time. There is a vacuum pressure issue in the fuel tank. The last mechanic I went to told me not to worry about it unless I notice issues. Not sure if it's related to the miss-fire. I plan on getting it fixed, as well as the miss-fire.

I'm currently saving money for a major tune up/repair.

Pull your dipstick and see if you can smell gas.

 

[zoldos]

Pull your dipstick and see if you can smell gas.

Last time I checked the oil (a couple of weeks ago), I did *not* smell gas...