Which fuel system cleaner is the best?

Tag · 11-06-2010, 02:20 PM

Red Line SI-1 Complete Fuel System Cleaner

OR

Techron Concentrate Plus

Phil G. · 11-06-2010, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tag824

Red Line SI-1 Complete Fuel System Cleaner

OR

Techron Concentrate Plus

I've been using Techron for years. Like the stuff but really not sure which is preferred.

AoS810 · 11-06-2010, 03:03 PM

I'd like to know this too! I remember that someone mentioned to only use these before oil changes.. not sure if that holds any truth at all. I'd appreciate any input on this.

-James

PeteW84 · 11-06-2010, 03:03 PM

Same here, I've been using Techron fuel system cleaner for over a year now. Pour a bottle ever 3000 miles, and haven't had a single problem with the car. I'm into my third year with the 335, and haven't had a single long crank, nor a cel. I guess I'm the lucky one, or the cleaner has something to do with it.

duncan0802 · 11-06-2010, 04:23 PM

I work at a service center and techron all the way

Kolyan2k · 11-06-2010, 05:10 PM

BG 44K

MatchesMalone · 11-06-2010, 05:29 PM

I went ahead and did a

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=424995

It sounds like more people recommend Techron (BG44K is highly recommended as well), although be sure to get the "Concentrate" instead of the "Pro Guard" (which was already specified in the OP, but just for other's info). Techron is apparently rebranded and sold by BMW as well.

I've never used a fuel system cleaner, is there any hard evidence of a benefit, and is there any downside?

EDIT: Continued searching and pretty much answered my own question: here and here, and ... wow, this has really been discussed a million times.
To summarize: some people swear that it made a difference and eliminated rough idling, and others are skeptical and think that there are enough additives in modern, quality branded fuel. Also, there is no benefit to the valves of a DI engine. Oh, and definitely do an oil change after you use this.

hl0m4n · 11-06-2010, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kolyan2k

BG 44K

+1 this or gtfo

. no but seriously this stuff is x3 times stronger than techron and x100 times more than seafoam. make sure you use the stuff few thousand miles before oil change so you can cycle through it.

bmw6953 · 11-06-2010, 05:37 PM

BG 44k guys and gals!. There is nothing like it out in the market today.Techron is good and would be my second choice but it wont work wonders like BG44k. Before any one bashes it or has anything negative to say about it try running a can in your car before you do! This stuff is really good and you dont need to run a can every 3000 miles like the techron. Once a year is good or ever or 20k miles

Tag · 11-06-2010, 05:45 PM

MatchesMalone, I saw that thread too but it's asking about "Fuel Injector Cleaner" specifically. I want to know what's the best "Fuel System Cleaner".

I heard that both Red Line and Techron use the same detergent, Phenethylamine (PEA) but also heard that Red Line has more of it. Just trying to get some clarification on the whole thing. Never heard of BG44 before.

Seems like they all use PEA to get rid of carbon. Does anyone have any real numbers as to which one actually has more?

MatchesMalone · 11-06-2010, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tag824

MatchesMalone, I saw that thread too but it's asking about "Fuel Injector Cleaner" specifically. I want to know what's the best "Fuel System Cleaner".

Understood. I wasn't trying to bag on you for not searching, so apologies if it came across that way.

Chriztofor · 11-06-2010, 07:17 PM

Techron worked for me. It fixed my erratic start-up idle.

Chriztofor · 02-22-2011, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MatchesMalone

I went ahead and did a

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=424995

It sounds like more people recommend Techron (BG44K is highly recommended as well), although be sure to get the "Concentrate" instead of the "Pro Guard" (which was already specified in the OP, but just for other's info). Techron is apparently rebranded and sold by BMW as well.

I've never used a fuel system cleaner, is there any hard evidence of a benefit, and is there any downside?

EDIT: Continued searching and pretty much answered my own question: here and here, and ... wow, this has really been discussed a million times.
To summarize: some people swear that it made a difference and eliminated rough idling, and others are skeptical and think that there are enough additives in modern, quality branded fuel. Also, there is no benefit to the valves of a DI engine. Oh, and definitely do an oil change after you use this.

Quote:

Originally Posted by hl0m4n

+1 this or gtfo

. no but seriously this stuff is x3 times stronger than techron and x100 times more than seafoam. make sure you use the stuff few thousand miles before oil change so you can cycle through it.

You do not need to do an oil change after you use Chevron Techron fuel injector cleaner. http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=492475

335i Pal · 02-28-2011, 08:28 PM

Has anyone used the Shell brand fuel cleaner??

11-06-2010, 02:20 PM	#1
Tag this is the way 18382 Rep 8,571 Posts Drives: N-1 starfighter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Chicago iTrader: (3)	Which fuel system cleaner is the best? Red Line SI-1 Complete Fuel System Cleaner OR Techron Concentrate Plus
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11-06-2010, 03:03 PM	#3
AoS810 Lieutenant 97 Rep 414 Posts Drives: 2008 E90 N51, 2011 E91 N52 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Los Angeles, CA iTrader: (6)	I'd like to know this too! I remember that someone mentioned to only use these before oil changes.. not sure if that holds any truth at all. I'd appreciate any input on this. -James
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11-06-2010, 03:03 PM	#4
PeteW84 COBB'ed 65 Rep 2,228 Posts Drives: 13 Mini Cooper S Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Tinley Park, IL iTrader: (1) Garage List 2008 335i [7.56]	Same here, I've been using Techron fuel system cleaner for over a year now. Pour a bottle ever 3000 miles, and haven't had a single problem with the car. I'm into my third year with the 335, and haven't had a single long crank, nor a cel. I guess I'm the lucky one, or the cleaner has something to do with it. __________________ 13 Mini Cooper S 08 E92 335i (SOLD)
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11-06-2010, 04:23 PM	#5
duncan0802 New Member 0 Rep 5 Posts Drives: 2008 BMW 335XI Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: MAINE iTrader: (0)	I work at a service center and techron all the way
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11-06-2010, 05:10 PM	#6
Kolyan2k Major General 930 Rep 5,538 Posts Drives: 2006 S2000 Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Boston iTrader: (1)	BG 44K
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11-06-2010, 05:29 PM	#7
MatchesMalone Private 0 Rep 73 Posts Drives: 2008 335xi E90 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Denver iTrader: (0)	I went ahead and did a http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=424995 It sounds like more people recommend Techron (BG44K is highly recommended as well), although be sure to get the "Concentrate" instead of the "Pro Guard" (which was already specified in the OP, but just for other's info). Techron is apparently rebranded and sold by BMW as well. I've never used a fuel system cleaner, is there any hard evidence of a benefit, and is there any downside? EDIT: Continued searching and pretty much answered my own question: here and here, and ... wow, this has really been discussed a million times. To summarize: some people swear that it made a difference and eliminated rough idling, and others are skeptical and think that there are enough additives in modern, quality branded fuel. Also, there is no benefit to the valves of a DI engine. Oh, and definitely do an oil change after you use this. Last edited by MatchesMalone; 11-06-2010 at 05:46 PM..
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11-06-2010, 05:37 PM	#9
bmw6953 Second Lieutenant 23 Rep 257 Posts Drives: 2006 325i Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: california iTrader: (0)	BG 44k guys and gals!. There is nothing like it out in the market today.Techron is good and would be my second choice but it wont work wonders like BG44k. Before any one bashes it or has anything negative to say about it try running a can in your car before you do! This stuff is really good and you dont need to run a can every 3000 miles like the techron. Once a year is good or ever or 20k miles
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11-06-2010, 05:45 PM	#10
Tag this is the way 18382 Rep 8,571 Posts Drives: N-1 starfighter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Chicago iTrader: (3)	MatchesMalone, I saw that thread too but it's asking about "Fuel Injector Cleaner" specifically. I want to know what's the best "Fuel System Cleaner". I heard that both Red Line and Techron use the same detergent, Phenethylamine (PEA) but also heard that Red Line has more of it. Just trying to get some clarification on the whole thing. Never heard of BG44 before. Seems like they all use PEA to get rid of carbon. Does anyone have any real numbers as to which one actually has more?
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11-06-2010, 07:17 PM	#12
Chriztofor Colonel 103 Rep 2,783 Posts Drives: '06 325i and '13 X5 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Chicago Burbs iTrader: (1)	Techron worked for me. It fixed my erratic start-up idle. __________________ If no codes are being thrown use Chevron Techron fuel injector cleaner (concentrate). It solves rpm fluctuating upon cold start-up. Also, for most BMW problems start off by scanning your car with the Peake Research Tool. It contains the actual BMW codes. If you want to register a newly installed battery for free (just buy a $10 cable) and google/download BMWLogger
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02-28-2011, 08:28 PM	#14
335i Pal Second Lieutenant 19 Rep 284 Posts Drives: 335i Sedan Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Ohio iTrader: (1)	Has anyone used the Shell brand fuel cleaner??
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