After little more than 40 years of service and 146k miles my FE, I am sure it needs a fresh cleaning and a rebuild inside and out, which I am working on right now, collecting parts and info. Meanwhile I was wondering if anyone has ever used a Techron fuel clean system. There is a lot of talk about this product and reviews are almost all positive. I won't feel safe using it in my good ol' faithful FE unless I posted a thread here. Anyone used t before and would like to share their story.

Nick.

 

I've used it in my 428 CJ in the past and I couldn't tell any difference. Too be honest, the engine was having no problems so there may not have been any room for improvement. It also did no harm.

 

Is it the same stuff they have at the pumps when you but Chevron fuel ?

 

If you mean to use it before the rebuild, if it ain't broke, don't fix it

Who knows how much crud is keeping your intake valves sealing and not leaking oil through the guides

 

Engine is dry and there are no oil leaks, nor does it consume oil. But crud most likely is inside the chambers and intake/exhaust affecting compression and smooth flow.

 

Right, but the instant you start to clean off those deposits, what happens?

Stuff like this is great if you run the engine from brand-new with it, but once it's had a lifetime of stuff built up, I'm on the "don't fix what ain't broke" side of things.

Just my opinion, nothing more

 

I may be wrong but I think Techron is designed to keep modern EFI engine fuel systems clean from deposits caused by todays modern ( crap ) fuels. I doubt it will do anything for your old carbon deposits from years past. Ever try removing carbon deposits from the top of pistons or combustion chambers? You almost need a chisel and hammer . Most of these fuel additives are snake oil with good marketing to make more $$$$.

 

most of the fuel cleaners are for Fuel injection and direct injection . they get clogged up easier with the ethanol deposits .

 

Agreed but they won't hurt an FE or any other engine in my opinion.

 

Older tech had older tech fixes. Carbon buildup, the old timers would make a nice highway run and get everything good and hot, and then at a high idle drizzle water slowly through the carb. Ever notice engine runs better in the rain? Even Chuck Berry mentioned this.

The idea was that the water/steam would vaporize some of the carbon on the pistons and valves. I guess. I've tried it, never noticed anything to tell the truth. I used a spray bottle, didn't want to risk hydrolock. The best thing to do probably is make sure engine and carb is tuned correctly, so carbon isn't building up in the first place.

 

If it doesn't leak and doesn't use oil, why do you think it needs work?