Fuel System Cleaner
 

I had some questions about using a fuel system cleaner. I have a 2008 C50 and would appreciate any advice I can get.

First off, how often is it necessary to use fuel system cleaner? Or is it not necessary?

Second, what are some good brands and are there any brands to avoid? I've heard good things about BG44k and Chevron Techron.

Thanks

My opinion is that most modern gasoline formulations contain sufficient detergents to render regular fuel cleaner treatment superfluous and a waste of money.

Read here:

http://www.toptiergas.com/

MB approves of Chevron Techron, but no more than twice between oil changes.
It is probably not needed if you use top tier gasoline suppliers.

What Sportstick said :y

Your manual should tell you what is approved for your car and Chevron Techron is one of, if not the only, approved product if I remember.

I've used Chevron Techron fuel system cleaner with Costco gas maybe 1,000 miles ago and theres no discernible change in terms of fuel economy of performance. The funny thing was when I was adding the fuel system cleaner, an owner of a previous gen E-class Mercedes walked up to me asking why I was using a fuel system cleaner on a relatively new car. My opinion was that it may be beneficial to your fuel system in the long run and its an extra $7 on top of every oil change, so it doesn't hurt to use it.

Interesting story about Costco. They already have the benefit of the usually most recent tanks (less likelihood of groundwater intrusion vs. old tanks) and rapid turnover of fuel inventory. Some of their stations have rolled out a new detergent package which the attendant here described as meeting Top Tier requirements. They cannot advertise this nationally, as all locations do not comply yet. I've stopped using Techron and have been using the same Costco location (when possible...almost always) which uses this new detergent package.

Wow, I wonder if that would jack up prices to the equivalent to Chevron or Shell with their Techron and V-power additive. Fives times the EPA requirement of detergent? Would that have any effect on the effectiveness of gasoline as a trade off?

http://shop.costco.com/In-The-Wareho...ean-Power.aspx

It's not available in California yet.

It has not here in Michigan...still about 20 cents per gallon less expensive than the nearby Shell station, give or take typical variations. Seems a very good deal overall, so they have all three of our cars as customers, and I will wait a few minutes for the line when necessary. It's not just the savings over time. As I noted, the tanks are new and the inventory turns quickly, so it seems the actual product quality is likely superior to 20-30 year old stations around the area.

Unless you go to some out of the way small mom and pop shop, I would think that the gas is sitting in your own tank a lot longer than it does in the underground holding tank at the station, so I don't think that should be a concern.

I've been using Chevron Techron or Redline S1 for years on multiple cars. For most of them I have pulled the head and found valves and chamber clean.

When BMW suggested Techron decades ago, I became a believer.

Should also help clean intake valves on new DI engines with injectors targeting the intake valve head, where some of injection occurs when intake valve is open.

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Yes Kevin ~ Within the fuel system it is only really injectors that need to be cleaned. The rest of the system does not get fouled.

Intake system & combustion chambers are the real challenge to keep clean especially with captive breathers.