fuel injector cleaner - winterize

[Aiden]

Are Fuel Injector cleaners (the ones you dump in your gas tank) any good? Which ones are better than others? And are they overall harmful to your car?

Also, What are some simple, do it yourself things you can do to winterize your car? (I guess this only applies to those of us up in the cold weather.

I only plan to drive my car when there is not snow on the ground, besides that I will drop my wife off at work in the 4 runner and we will just use that in the winter, unfortunately I do not have the garage room for a third, or winter car.

 

[lpquick]

You won't find this at Walmart or any of the auto parts stores but it costs pennies a tank full and works great. I use it everytime I fill up. Fuel Power, check out their web site;
http://www.lubecontrol.com/

 

[Big Daddy]

I use Redline SI-1 injector cleaner. I have used it now for over 10 years and never had a problem. When I store the roadster for the winter I fill the tank and make sure that it has a big dose of the SI-1 cleaner. Starts clean and fast every spring! Do NOT use alcohol based fuel dryers!

 

[selavia]

I use the fuel injector cleaner from BMW; I believe that is alcohol based. SHould I switch? And if so, which brand would mesh well for my little L4 Engine?

Sorry; don't mean to jack the thread.

Sean

 

[Big Daddy]

Alcohol attracts moisture. That is ok if your going to use the car and not let it set. The Redline is a great proven product and can be used in any car.

 

[Aiden]

where can I get the redline sI-1 cleaner? At an auto parts store?

I have a 96 328i.

 

[selavia]

Big Daddy...

I use my car practically everyday. Is redline better than BMW's product? Will I notice a difference? In your honest opinion should I switch? Or is the difference mute?

Thanks in Advance,

Sean

 

[Big Daddy]

Sean, I have never used the BMW product so my opinion would be slanted. I am sure BMW does not make their own, but I am unsure who's it is. They use to have a contract with Mobil and used Mobil 1 oils, but I am not sure if Mobil 1 makes an injector cleaner. It might be Chevrons Techron? The Redline costs about $4.00 per bottle and treats about 60-60 gallons of gas. I know that many of the BMW CCA driver's instructors and track junkies prefer the Redline. Either way I am sure your safe.

 

[selavia]

Big Daddy,

You know what? You've peaked my curiousity. What the hell, I'll try the redline next time and I'll let you know what I think. The cost isn't radically different. I'll be sure to post if I notice or don't notice a difference. However, if I ever leave my car for extended periods of time, I will definitely use redline. Thanks!!

Sean

 

[Big Daddy]

Go here and look under dealers:

Redline Oil

 

[selavia]

found one that's literally a stone's throw from my old house...sniff, sniff. A two minute walk from my old house. I'll pick some up on Friday. And next time I filler' up, I'll let you know.

Thanks for the link!

Sean

 

[grc]

i get my fuel injector cleaner at the local dollar store, pay more if you like. the product available over the BMW parts counter isn't as expensive as i thought it would be, i was getting something while somebody was getting the cleaner, it's still less than 1/2 at the dollar store. i think the important factor is that the injectors get lubed, like the name of the product in the first reply implies. the injectors do wear internally and eventually short out, a little lube goes a long way. a bottle a month is usually enough to keep my injectors happy.

 

[ryan9078]

Also, What are some simple, do it yourself things you can do to winterize your car? (I guess this only applies to those of us up in the cold

Last year i went to the scrap yard and got myself 4 318i wheels for almost nothing, i fitted them with some cheapy winter tyres and it felt a little more confident in the snow. normally im on 235s and i dont think ive every driven a car worse than mine in the snow before the mod. but dont forget it always gonig to be rear wheel drive

 

[switch]

Chevron's Techron is good. I work on injectors everyday and I have seen the results.
A couple times a year is plenty, everything in moderation... especially chemicals is always wise.

Gordon
WitchHunter Performance
Fuel Injector cleaning & Flow testing service

 

[selavia]

Big Daddy...

I filled up with S1-1 Redline this past holiday weekend. Here are my comments.

1. It's much more expensive than BMW's product and what you pay; over $6. Still, not too expensive.

2. In the cold morning start ups, it starts stronger; notably stronger.

3. THe car does not hestitate anymore when I drive it witha cold engine. (Really happy about that!)

4. Fuel efficiency went down; I used get 110+ miles on the first quarter tank and this weekend I only got 75ish. I'm wondering is that because I dumped the whole bottle in?

I'll probably keep using redline. Cause next time I'm not dumping the whole bottle in; I'll probably spread it over a 4-5 fillups like the bottle says one should do for bimmers.

Thanks Big Daddy.

Sean

 

[chief]

Ha Ha, I have all of you beat for cheap. I use trans fluid. 4 oz's, once a month. Keeps the injectors clean, also the throttle body. Hint: Have you ever seen a dirty transmission?

It's an old mechanics trick, and costs a lot less than the snake oil company 's sell for the purpose of gettin a few additional pennies from ya'll.

 

[Big Daddy]

I have heard of them using it in the engine oil for a few minutes before an oil change, but adding it to the gas? I guess I need to do some research.

 

[grc]

trans fluid is just a high detergent 10weight oil. if used sparingly it'll lube the injectors and the upper cylinder, including the rings. too much will cause carbon build-up in the exhaust ports and on the exhaust valves, could foul the plugs and sensors too. 4oz in a tank once in a while doesn't sound like too much? it's an ingredient in home-brew octane boost recipes too. how big is a bottle of Redline? $6 for 4-5 tanks isn't much at all, compared to some others! anybody heard of "Mix-I-Go"? it's touted as a "fuel extender". i tried it in an old V-8 years ago. then there's always the old stand-by's, Marvel Mystery Oil and Sea foam... trans fluid has 101 shadetree uses, and with common sense the stuff works miracles. are there any CAS numbers on the Redline bottle? look up those numbers on any product and find out how much you're paying for common chemicals! kerosene is very common in these types of products.

 

[Aiden]

Thanks Big Daddy...turns out my mechanic is one of the listed dealers for Redline...my car is actually there right now getting an oil change and I am going to pick up a bottle of redline SI 1 when I pick it up.

So is the idea to just use about 4 oz per tank?

Thanks!

 

[Big Daddy]

Yes, the bottle says it will treat 100 gallons! I just bought six more bottles at 25% off from I/O Port Racing in California.