Fuel Additives

Yesterday I shared the results of my taking the 2000 4WD 2.7L 5-spd in for diagnosis: something is wrong; we don't know what - with a Random Misfire Code of P0300, and a recommendation to try a fuel additive. I just spent internet time reading about additives and I wonder if anyone here has a favorite (I guess the context is "carbon deposit" problems). The following were recommended (P.S. - I recall reading somewhere on this Forum that Seafoam was loved by some, hated by others, so I will avoid that one

Liqui Moly Jectron

$25 BG 44K Fuel System Cleaner Power Enhancer 11oz.

BG 44K
Royal Purple
Lucas
Chevron Tectron
Seafoam

 

Oh, and one other thing. In one of the write-ups there was confusing wording about running the tank down to 1/4 full, then adding the additive. Then it said run the tank down to 1/4 tank again, and put in some more. To be clear: isn't it a full tank of gas + the additive that you run through your engine.

I used a fuel additive on my 2WD 2000 Tacoma and ended up improving my gas mileage for years... so I am optimistic

 

Sea foam is the tits. Do it.

Wouldn't hurt to pop your plugs and take a gander either.

Not sure on the fuel situation but maybe it's known to be most effective at certain concentrations.

 

Wouldn't hurt to pop your plugs and take a gander either.

Not sure on the fuel situation but maybe it's known to be most effective at certain concentrations.

They switched the plugs around and it didn't alter the misfire, so I will deal with them later.

The concentration issue re: the additive is what threw me; sure it's going to be more concentrated with less fuel in the tank, but I had full-tank default thought in my head. I can read the bottle and do what that says.

 

I just put the Lucas fuel injection cleaner in my current full tank for the first time. Have used half tank so far and still same Mpg’s. Will post if see any improvements. I’ve used lubrimoly in several older German cars and seemed to help.

 

Redline complete fuel system cleaner works awesome in anything I have.

 

a few weeks ago i was getting on my truck & starting getting a flat spot at 1/2 & full throttle with the cel flashing, when I got home i had a 300 pending code. did a internet search & went to auto zone & picked up a small lucas, went & filled up with gas & poured it in. I drove easy for about a mile & punched it & it's been perfect ever since.
My vote is lucas

 

Redline SI-1, just google it and you will learn it is the best. You can get it at Oriellys

 

Awesome product works really good in motorcycles and small engines too.

 

Cleaners (fuel additives) are not magic. If you have carbon deposits or water in the lines they can help (with a noticeable difference). I've only had 2 times (in 20 years) using a fuel additive where I can say "that made a difference". One instance was water, the other was a new to me used car I had just bought with 50K miles. None the less I drop a bottle (of what ever is on sale; STP, Seafoam, etc) in my tank each spring as routine maintenance.

 

From reviews I've read redline fuel additive is the best out there.

 

I put in a bottle of Lucas yesterday, with half a tank of gas, and drove around a while (shaking it up as much as I could. Then I filled it up. I will do that again when it is down to 1/4 tank, then we will see - if I don't break down first because my P0300 code problem has nothing to do with what an additive can fix. I did meet a guy that I think is going to be our new mechanic (like chiropractors, there is a mechanic on every corner, but it is hard to find a good one My said that she has been telling me about the place for years, and she has been keeping an eye on them: no trashy cars there, always busy, etc. She took the small truck there last week and liked the feel of the place and how it played out - she won't let me sell the truck now (she drives it), so I am making her take care of it.

Thanks for the feedback. It seem that these additives, while all target many of the same things, do tend to be better at some things than others, so I think it might make sense to use different additives - will long time intervals between - to get the benefits of the best features of each one.

 

It doesn't matter if you shake the car, the fuel system has a return line & the fuel is constantly circulating.

 

Good to know: I was thinking about mixing it up in the tank

 

Refueled my tank. Got 17 mpg with the Lucas injection cleaner. Last few tanks I got 18 mpg without cleaner. Will see how this next tank goes.

 

I've done a lot if cleaners over the years, have yet to see one make any noticeable difference.

 

I put walmarts supertech brand “seafoam” in my oil before each oil change and let it run for 5-10 mins at idle then change my oil. It helps get junk out. I also run a bottle of it in the gas every once and awhile

 

Send the Seafoam through your intake as well. The only reason I recommended it over the other "better" alternatives is because you will have half a bottle left over from using it in your intake.

 

Seafoam hands down

 

Thanks. I am going to use a bottle of

$25 BG 44K Fuel System Cleaner Power Enhancer 11oz.

BG 44K next, then the plan is to run Seafoam through the intake (I can talk like that now that I know what it means, kinda...)