I was always taught that there is no such thing has a Mechanic in a bottle for car treatments. But I was never to sure on carb and injection cleaners. So my question is do they really work? Which is the best? Do they do more harm than good?

 

If you believe additives that oil companies put into the gasoline works. Yes.
Because some over the counter have the same additives just in higher concentration.

Be very careful not to make a blanket statement that Brand X works because almost all brands offer different products. For example, Gumout Regane Complete Fuel System Cleaner has 30-40% Polyether Amine. The less expensive Gumout Concentrated Fuel Injector Cleaner has less % of the good stuff.

BTW, PEA is also a major additives that make Chevron Techron gasoline effective. Go to BITOG if you wish to find out more.

 

Chevron w/ Techron IS THE WAY TO GO!!!

 

BG 44K is the best cleaner out there, but it's expensive and you can't buy them at your local auto parts store.

 

Hmmm, never seen or heard of that brand. I've used Chevron w/ Techron as well as Lucas. I only used a fuel cleaner and treatment once with my GS and that was when I first got the car.

 

As VVT-i mentioned it is very expensive ~ $23.5 per can and bought at very few places such as dealers.
It is very concentrated stuff and works well, but if one does not have carbon related problem. There are cheaper and more widely avaliable preventative maintenance additives on the market that have decent results.
Here is a discussion thread on BIOTG on BG 44K
http://theoildrop.server101.com/foru...&Number=894906

 

Valvoline works great. I have used Chevron cleaner in the past with success as well.

 

we use it at work, they have a fuel injector cleaner which u run through the injectors without gas, meaning u disable the fuel pump and have this tool that supplies the engine with the cleaner. We also use the intake system cleaner, which also works good, the intake cleaner gets rid of all the build up inside the plenum and off the throttle plate. the intake cleaner gets sprayed after the maf, and after the turbos, using a small nozzle. gotta change oil and plugs after running this stuff through, the plugs get pretty fouled and the oil breaks down.

 

I think lucas is the best when you just need a regular injector cleaner and use it more often. But if you need a powerful one tand have a carbon problem hen get the bk44

 

I have used Redline SI-1 every 5,000 miles and have looked at injectors after 100,000 miles of use and am very impressed with how clean they are and little or no pressure loss. I have never used Chevron with Techron but they seem to have a very good word of mouth with my mechanic friends.

 

Lubro Molly "Jectron"

German stuff, it's awesome.

 

I have heard that stuff is good. A few guys down here, Liqui Moly is big in Mexico, swear by this stuff, but I have yet to give it a try.

 

I found a MSDS on BG 44K, a little bit dated but in 1997 it has some common solvants as other cheaper additives sold in stores.

Product Number: 208 AI1 Sizes
Product Name: 44K@
Product Use: Fuel additive
CAS Number: Not Applicable

COMPONENT Percent
Light Aromatic Solvent Naphtha (N/A)
1, 2, 4-Trimethylbenzene (10-15%)
Xylene (0-5%)
Cumene (0-5%)

http://www.dcs.state.ok.us/SW_Contra...chment%20M.pdf

Two of the major components are shared with STP Complete Fuel System Cleaner, just in higher concentration.

Chemical Percent
Naphthalene (21-42%)
1,2,4-Trimethylbenzene (3-8%)
Kerosine, petroleum, hydrodesulfurized (60-80%)

http://householdproducts.nlm.nih.gov...nds&id=3027052

If you buy 2-3 of STP Complete Fuel System Cleaner and dump into your tank, essentially you get BG 44K (ok, formulation as of 1997)'s main solvants in right composition and concentration.

 

BG 44K, hands down.

 

I beg to differ... I used it and it did NOTHING. Use Liqui Moly, I did and it made a huge difference