Fuel additives

[CapnBob]

Hey guys
I have been adding a bottle
Of Lucas injector cleaner
Every other fill up.
Am I doing it too much?
Is it good or bad?
Thanks for advice.
Just trying to take good care of
My truck.

 

[B-train]

I think you may be a little overzealous on the frequency. LOL . But, being on a proactive schedule isn't a bad thing, maybe more like every 10k would be my thoughts if you feel it's needed.

In my personal experience, I've used injector cleaner probably 10 times on all the vehicles I've owned. Never really saw the need for more. I used to add 1/2 quart of ATF to the tank every 6 months (approx 20k miles or so) years back when injectors were more prone to getting sticky from Ethanol fuels and it worked wonders for a fraction of the cost.

Depending on what year your vehicle is, there are other things I'd find more pressing than injector cleaner. Most fuels nowadays are just fine and the materials used don't seem to be negatively affected like they used to be. If you have a 2015, or newer, with direct injection I'd be more worried about keeping carbon buildup off the valves.

 

[CapnBob]

Thanks for your reply!
Any advice on how to keep
Carbon of the valves?
I’m an old man and this has
To be my last truck
Thanks

 

[Walkerfever]

Thanks for your reply!
Any advice on how to keep
Carbon of the valves?
I’m an old man and this has
To be my last truck
Thanks

All the junk from the PCV system is routed through the intake runners and intake valves. In a port injection engine this is no big deal since gasoline is a cleaner and is sprayed into the intake runners\onto the intake valves. On direct injected engines, the gas is injected directly into the combustion chamber so it never gets a chance to clean the intake runners or valves. Add a catch can to to the PCV system to "filter" out this crud, and empty the catch can when needed.

Depending on how many miles you have, you might want to get the intake valves cleaned. You can do it yourself (I did with walnut blasting) or pay someone to do it.

 

[Fless]

All the junk from the PCV system is routed through the intake runners and intake valves. In a port injection engine this is no big deal since gasoline is a cleaner and is sprayed into the intake runners\onto the intake valves. On direct injected engines, the gas is injected directly into the combustion chamber so it never gets a chance to clean the intake runners or valves. Add a catch can to to the PCV system to "filter" out this crud, and empty the catch can when needed.

Depending on how many miles you have, you might want to get the intake valves cleaned. You can do it yourself (I did with walnut blasting) or pay someone to do it.

^^^ THIS.

 

[B-train]

Thanks for your reply!
Any advice on how to keep
Carbon of the valves?
I’m an old man and this has
To be my last truck
Thanks

There is a sea foam product that you spray into the intake while running at 1200 rpm for about 7 minutes. Then let it soak for 30, then drive "spirited" for 15 minutes or so.

This basically coats all the intake valves in a potent cleaner that dissolves the carbon buildup. Driving semi-aggressively then helps remove the loosened up stuff. There is also an aerosol GM TOO ENGINE CLEANER that works well too. No engine disassembly required.

 

[homesick]

I put a can of Seafoam in each tank of gas. My mechanic thinks it's a waste.

joe

 

[Stbentoak]

I put a can of Seafoam in each tank of gas. My mechanic thinks it's a waste.

joe

He's right....If there are no other problems once a year is plenty.

 

[Marky Dissod]

Hey guys, I've been adding a bottle of Lucas injector cleaner every other fill up. Am I doing it too much? Is it good or bad? Thanks for advice.
Just trying to take good care of my truck.

Red Line SI-1 Complete Fuel System Cleaner
Chevron Techron Concentrate Plus 01154100-5179P
Gumout Regane High Mileage Fuel System Cleaner
Gumout Regane Complete Fuel System Cleaner
Gumout All-In-One Complete Fuel System Cleaner
Lucas Oil 10512 Deep Clean Fuel System Cleaner
LubeGard Fuel System Booster

They all contain reasonable amounts of poly ether amines.
Other fuel additives do not brag about PEAs, but may still be effective.
Please note that instead of stopping at a brand name, the specific version of cleaner is also included.