Hi, Guys, 

 

Does anyone of you have experience using those fuel system clean additive. I saw some videos that show amazing results while others show totally opposite. So i am puzzled, i don't know what i should trust.  Since my old furby MK1 is reaching it's 12th year, i would like to try some of those additives. I wonder if you can recommend some brands that really works. Thanks a lot. 

Edited 13 March, 201610 yr by crazybeeliuzhe

Expect a few snake oil comments here BUT last year my old 2001 1.4 Octavia only just passed it's MOT re emissions even though it was running well . This year I decided to use a bottle of Cataclean pre MOT and the figures were much much better - it sailed through.

 

These products can't fix faults or raise the dead though 

Edited 13 March, 201610 yr by bigjohn

They do work, after 10 years use an injector nozzle will have some fouling which will be improved by use of a cleaning agent although it's much better to actually remove the injectors and clean them ultrasonically.

 

I would also imagine that injectors which get an annual preventative dose will be much cleaner after 10 years use than injectors which didn't.

 

What they can't do is mitigate pintle wear, so they won't fix a leaky injector, only improve the spray pattern.

As said above, and some are better than others. Redex is ****. I've only used them regularly in the diesel I have now and millers seems pretty good. In petrol cars I've always put in high octane fuel at least and usually v power which has cleaning additives in it, so never bothered with the bottled adds.

If you feel your system is in need of a real good clean get it Terracleaned *oooo controversial*

Nope and nope, it's just alchemy. A better way to get maintain an engine (old, new, doesn't really matter) is by getting the injectors and the throttle body cleaned, fresh fuel, air (OEM, not sport K&N or stuff like this) and oil filters each time the car is serviced, spark plugs when needed .. but more important, not running the car with an empty fuel tank. Basically this very last thing burns the fuel pumps and gets dirt into the injection system.

 

Later edit:

1. cleaning the throttle body is a 30 mins job and it mostly costs nothing.

2. cleaning and testing the injectors for leaking should be done once a couple of years.

3. Your car already has O2 sensors, catalyst and an ECU, so they do really know what's better for your engine, you can be sure of that.

Edited 13 March, 201610 yr by Alexandru

Petrol is a very good cleaner, it's what I use with no problems at all.