Fuel System Cleaner

[Thtwsacls1]

I've been using it 2-3 times a year for the past 3 years after every oil change and I believe its been doing my engine well. My friend told me about it and ever since I started using it, my 1992 Escort LX has been running way more smoothly.

Unfortunately, I didn't know that much about fuel economy back then, but apparently fuel system cleaner will increase the mpg you get out of your car. I wasn't really tracking my mileage back then, so I couldn't really say if there was a difference or not or by how much.

Has anyone here seen a difference when using fuel system cleaner?

[adamsjd1]

My belief is that the "better fuel economy" claim on most injector cleaner is a blanket statement. You WILL see better mileage, but it's only better because your fuel system is cleaner. In reality, it's only placing the mileage of your car to a closer "brand new" state, before your fuel system begins to dirty up from crappy fuel.

So in short, you'll see better fuel economy, but most likely nothing much over a factory rating under normal driving habits.

[GasSavers_RoadWarrior]

I discovered a few years ago that many "fuel system cleaners" "emissions cleaners" "injector cleaners" "gas line antifreezes" "octane boosters" were nothing but straight isopropyl alcohol, which is what I stick in mine now. Many folks are seeing some MPG increase with isopropyl alcohol.

[bkrell]

Not completely true, although alcohol is an ingredient in many cleaners, it is not the only one. Toluene, xylene, acetone, methyl ethyl ketone (MEK), kerosene, stoddard solvent, polyether amine.... All sorts of organic solvents are used. But it is still cheaper to mix your own. Just make sure you are buying pure chemicals, though.

[GasSavers_RoadWarrior]

Yeah, there's some that are a cocktail of laquer thinners and mineral spirits, or some I suspect are tranny fluid.

[GasSavers_Dust]

Might I suggest running the cleaner before an oil change? If anything gets by the rings, you would be better off getting it out of the oil soon.

[bkrell]

Yep, that's correct. In order to have the least effect on oil, run the cleaner THEN change the oil.