Fuel system cleaners, worth the 8 bucks or pointless?

just wanted to get some different opinions on fuel system additives, i will periodically spend the few bucks for the piece of mind simply because I believe ethanol is the devil, but I don't exactly understand the science behind these products and weather or not its actually beneficial.

 

Ethanol is a strong detergent so I don't use fuel system cleaners but it attracts moisture and can cause other problems, so I just use an ethanol treatment like Star Tron.

 

Pic won't load right now but I did a test with 89 octane with and without Startron in glass jars in my shed. 3 months with tight lids, 3 months loose lids. NO DIFFERENCE in appearance and no visible moisture.

 

hope this works.

 

Once a year-ish I run Techron or Seafoam through the Tacoma. I always have Seafoam in the gas used in my motorcycles (DR-650SE dual sport and YZ-250f mx'er). Since my bikes sometimes sit for several weeks between use I've noticed tarnish in the carb float bowls and difficulty starting if I don't have Seafoam in the gas. W/ the Seafoam there are no issues.

 

I only fill up with Chevron gas and throw a bottle of the Techron fuel additive in every few fill-ups... doesn't seem to hurt. Truck runs great and i've never noticed the ticking noise everyone talks about.

 

All the contemporary Toyota truck engines will typically outlast the body/frame with basic maintenance. What's the point?

 

Just curious... do you feel the same with synthetic engine/gear oils?

 

I use dino engine oil but synth diff oil, the latter so the diff can run hotter without the oil deteriorating.

 

too much fuel additive fouls plugs

 

If you know your going to run a fuel treatment, throttle body cleaner, or let the engine run off a stand alone cleaner fuel then change your plugs afterward. Plan it ahead of time.

 

A Phoenix auto repair shop owner had a talk show on Saturdays a while back. One day he commented on the auto parts stores having row after row of shelves with things you can buy to "make your car like you better." He included fuel additives in that description. I have found it nearly impossible to prove they do any good. The only time I have used them in the last couple of decades was when I put some old gas into the tank of a tiller or lawn mower. Except for Stabil in my emergency gas cans.

 

I have run a bottle of Seafoam through every few months. I also run 1 oz to 1 gallon of Seafoam in all my lawn and garden stuff keeps fuel stable for up to 2 years.