Is it worth using fuel system cleaners? | FerrariChat

Is it worth using fuel system cleaners?

Discussion in '308/328' started by qedqeq, May 2, 2016.

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  1. qedqeq

    qedqeq Formula Junior

    Apr 15, 2015
    384
    Hey all,

    Wondering if it is worthwhile to use a fuel system cleaner, like the ones that get sprayed into the vacuum hose in the intake plenum and the ones in the fuel tank.

    Regards
     
  2. Dr Tommy Cosgrove

    Dr Tommy Cosgrove Three Time F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    May 4, 2001
    36,612
    Birmingham, AL
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    Tommy
    Probably more important is keeping a bottle of ethanol treatment in the boot and using it at every fillup.
     
  3. topcarbon

    topcarbon F1 Rookie

    Nov 3, 2006
    2,605
    Can you go into more detail please
     
  4. Dr Tommy Cosgrove

    Dr Tommy Cosgrove Three Time F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    May 4, 2001
    36,612
    Birmingham, AL
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    Tommy
    #4 Dr Tommy Cosgrove, May 2, 2016
    Last edited: May 2, 2016
  5. topcarbon

    topcarbon F1 Rookie

    Nov 3, 2006
    2,605
  6. Transient

    Transient Karting

    Sep 6, 2007
    114
    Sydney Australia
    Full Name:
    transient
    So Dr Tommy, do you use E10? I have been wary of using any ethanol based fuels. I use Shell Optimax. Please let us know of your experience with ethanol fuels....
     
  7. Rifledriver

    Rifledriver Three Time F1 World Champ

    Apr 29, 2004
    37,288
    Cowboy Capitol of the World
    Full Name:
    Brian Crall
    Sitting is the worst thing that happens to injectors. If the car is a daily driver, don't worry about it. If it seldom gets driven I am not sure injector cleaner will be enough but it is worth a try.
     
  8. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Dec 6, 2002
    79,407
    Houston, Texas
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    Bubba
    I use Marine Gumout, but really as Brian says every time I fire it up I go down and add enough fresh gas, only a few gallons, to move the surface in the tank up, if only an inch or two....

    Slosh it around!!!!
     
  9. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Dec 6, 2002
    79,407
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    Bubba
    They soften every piece of rubber it touches, in the old carbed cars..

    Big $$$ repairs.
     
  10. Brian Harper

    Brian Harper F1 Rookie
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Feb 17, 2006
    4,078
    San Jose area
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    Brian Harper
    I wonder what the K-Jet expert rebuilder thinks of fuel additives. (Larry, I think his name is?) He sees the guts of lots of systems. I bet he has an opinion and given his of work I'd be interested in what he thinks.
     
  11. Dr Tommy Cosgrove

    Dr Tommy Cosgrove Three Time F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    May 4, 2001
    36,612
    Birmingham, AL
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    Tommy
    You can't find gas here where I live that isn't at least 10% ethanol so I have no choice.

    I replaced all my fuel lines with the kit from David Helms a few years ago. I posted a picture of one of my fuel lines. it was in such bad shape it sprung a BIG leak when we were removing it. It was about to let go at any minute, I was unbelievably lucky.

    I will empty a bottle of Techron about every third fill up. That is probably pretty safe because it is already in the gas to begin with if you are at a Chevron. I also top off the tanks before I park it.
     
  12. Conchyjodyoos

    Conchyjodyoos Formula Junior

    Aug 29, 2013
    263
    FL450
    Full Name:
    Mike
    There's an app called 'pure gas' that finds local stations with non-ethanol rec 90.
     
  13. Imperial Stormtrooper

    May 7, 2014
    148
    Far, Far Away
    Full Name:
    George
    It seems like we're covering two different, but related topics: 1) If it's worth using an additive to clean injectors, and 2) What to do about E10 gas?

    I can offer no comment on Topic 1, but for Topic 2, I can only pass on what was recommended to me when I purchased my 308 last year from Scuderia Rampante: I mix in a few gallons of AVGAS (100 octane) with the 90-92 octane E10 I get when I fill up. I guess it's to prevent/limit separation of the E10, but the AVGAS does have a lead content a little higher than the unleaded E10, so I'm concerned about deposits/clogged injectors (i.e. Topic 1). Certainly open to suggestions and advice!
     
  14. Elentinos

    Elentinos Formula Junior

    Sep 8, 2011
    296
    Netherlands
    Full Name:
    Erwin
    A little bit of 2-stroke oil in the tank before filling up has the same effect as most fuel additives. It prevents the fuel system from completely drying out while not in use. I got this info from a K-jet expert.
     

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