Fuel Additives
Super Moderator
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 39,979
Likes: 1,512
From: Maine, Virginia
To prevent what? Welcome BTW.
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 7,010
Likes: 203
From: SoCal
I've had two cars, both Fords with EFI, at the opposite extremes of maintenance in which I've used fuel additives. One car I've owned since new, and took good care of all its life, and another I bough used which looked like it was never taken care of.
I've periodically used fuel injector cleaners on the new car, and found no noticeable difference in performance or economy.
The used car had serious detonation problems which I tried to fix initially by using all sorts of fuel system cleaners, and they did nothing to help. The problems required a lot more work to solve, and some of it did involve using solvents to clean out parts. This was a bank-fired engine, and I expected to see some bad valve deposits when I got into it, but found none; that was not the problem.
So in my case, fuel system cleaners that I poured into the tank did little to solve any real problems.
Also, Ford's EFI systems have had a lot less issues with injector clogging or deposit build-up than other brands, such as GM. I wouldn't waste money on in-tank elixirs.
I've periodically used fuel injector cleaners on the new car, and found no noticeable difference in performance or economy.
The used car had serious detonation problems which I tried to fix initially by using all sorts of fuel system cleaners, and they did nothing to help. The problems required a lot more work to solve, and some of it did involve using solvents to clean out parts. This was a bank-fired engine, and I expected to see some bad valve deposits when I got into it, but found none; that was not the problem.
So in my case, fuel system cleaners that I poured into the tank did little to solve any real problems.
Also, Ford's EFI systems have had a lot less issues with injector clogging or deposit build-up than other brands, such as GM. I wouldn't waste money on in-tank elixirs.
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,458
Likes: 2
From: CA Sacramento
Seafoam is a great cleaner. I use it once every 5,000 miles. And i use it in everything I own to clean the fuel system periodically.
I also use lucas and St-a-Bil.
I use red stabil for my quads and jetskis.
And I use the marine Stabil in my Porsche's.
I use stabil to prevent the ethanol damage. And lucas to actually improve beyond the gas.
The marine stabil has stronger additives than the red. Primarily for water. This is a big issue with the new fuels that have water in the ethanol.
The fuel at the pump have 10% ethanol and will soon change to more.... which is bad for any automobile. Especially for 99% of automobiles before 2006 because they were never meant to be ran on ethanol...
For me seafoam has proven that it works for me to clean the fuel and oil systems.
Both red and blue(marine) St-a-bil has also proven that it works.
Lucas, I dont have proven fact for that it improves the fuel....
I also use lucas and St-a-Bil.
I use red stabil for my quads and jetskis.
And I use the marine Stabil in my Porsche's.
I use stabil to prevent the ethanol damage. And lucas to actually improve beyond the gas.
The marine stabil has stronger additives than the red. Primarily for water. This is a big issue with the new fuels that have water in the ethanol.
The fuel at the pump have 10% ethanol and will soon change to more.... which is bad for any automobile. Especially for 99% of automobiles before 2006 because they were never meant to be ran on ethanol...
For me seafoam has proven that it works for me to clean the fuel and oil systems.
Both red and blue(marine) St-a-bil has also proven that it works.
Lucas, I dont have proven fact for that it improves the fuel....
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,313
Likes: 0
From: Sunny, Snowy, CO
I'm not putting anything in my 5.0 other than Ford stuff as required. I don't miss all the Diesel Kleen I had to buy for my 6.4 at all, and truthfully, don't miss anything about that truck except the height while driving.
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 155
Likes: 0
From: Stillwater, Oklahoma
Todays gasoline is a lot better than the days of old. With all the additives that they already put in them. I think additives are more of a snake oil and a waste of money. My old company truck never had a fuel injector problem til over 100,000 miles. Never adding anything to it. I ran a mix of ethanol and regular. I did have a fuel pump issue at 60,000. After that I ran straight gas. No more problems. I still believe ethanol is evil and destructive to the fuel system.
My new work truck is a Flex fuel 5.0. I'm doing my best to run straight gas all the time.
My new work truck is a Flex fuel 5.0. I'm doing my best to run straight gas all the time.
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 134
Likes: 0
Seafoam is a great cleaner. I use it once every 5,000 miles. And i use it in everything I own to clean the fuel system periodically.
I also use lucas and St-a-Bil.
I use red stabil for my quads and jetskis.
And I use the marine Stabil in my Porsche's.
I use stabil to prevent the ethanol damage. And lucas to actually improve beyond the gas.
The marine stabil has stronger additives than the red. Primarily for water. This is a big issue with the new fuels that have water in the ethanol.
The fuel at the pump have 10% ethanol and will soon change to more.... which is bad for any automobile. Especially for 99% of automobiles before 2006 because they were never meant to be ran on ethanol...
For me seafoam has proven that it works for me to clean the fuel and oil systems.
Both red and blue(marine) St-a-bil has also proven that it works.
Lucas, I dont have proven fact for that it improves the fuel....
I also use lucas and St-a-Bil.
I use red stabil for my quads and jetskis.
And I use the marine Stabil in my Porsche's.
I use stabil to prevent the ethanol damage. And lucas to actually improve beyond the gas.
The marine stabil has stronger additives than the red. Primarily for water. This is a big issue with the new fuels that have water in the ethanol.
The fuel at the pump have 10% ethanol and will soon change to more.... which is bad for any automobile. Especially for 99% of automobiles before 2006 because they were never meant to be ran on ethanol...
For me seafoam has proven that it works for me to clean the fuel and oil systems.
Both red and blue(marine) St-a-bil has also proven that it works.
Lucas, I dont have proven fact for that it improves the fuel....
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Jun 11, 2006 11:13 PM