fuel injector cleaner

[cmaxlen]

I was told to use FIC with PEA. I use restore fuel system restorer every other fillup because i drive about 3000 miles a month back and forth to work and i only use shell gasoline. I looked on restore website but it says nothing about PEA

 

Should I switch to another? what kind do you guys use? I have a 2013 cmax hybrid

 

thanks

[plus 3 golfer]

PEA = Polyethyl Amine

 

You may need to look at the MSDS to see the concentration level of PEA.  Higher is better.

 

I have been using Top Tier gasoline (including Costco) for quite some time.  I've never needed to use a FIC since I started using Top TIer gas. Prior to that I've needed / used a FIC like Techron maybe every 3-5 k miles.  If I didn't use a FIC, after about 10 k + miles I'd start to notice occasional hesitation and  CELs on hard acceleration for misfires in my 2000 VW.  VW subsequently (IIRC early 2000s) came out with a TB saying that they recommend use of Top Tier gas.

 

Shell is a top tier gasoline.  So, I highly doubt you need a FIC.

[ptjones]

Used Techron at 60K MPG's when down 2 for that tank, but when up 5 for the next tank. I have been using BJ's and Kroger Premium for a while now averaging around 53mpg with City/HWY mix. :)

 

Paul

[Smiling Jack]

Golfer,

 

Great answer!

 

Thanks for explaining PEA.

 

What about CEL?  (In my world that means Combined Eulerian-Lagrangian.)

 

and IIRC ?  Related to IROC? (International Race of Champions, wasn't it?)

 

and MSDS ?  Is that a pump label?

[wab]

I had a BIG rant going one morning, AT&T has to be using the most acronyms of any company, why can't AT&T just type it out, Sometime the only real words in an AT&T sentence or the, turn, on, off etc.

 

One of my more witty co works said in a loud whisper "are you talking about American Telephone and Telegraph"

took us about 5 minutes to stop laughing.   

[plus 3 golfer]

Golfer,

 

Great answer!

 

Thanks for explaining PEA.

 

What about CEL?  (In my world that means Combined Eulerian-Lagrangian.)

 

and IIRC ?  Related to IROC? (International Race of Champions, wasn't it?)

 

and MSDS ?  Is that a pump label?

CEL = Check Engine Light or MIL

 

IIRC = If I Recall Correctly :)

 

MSDS = Material Data Safety Sheet

 

The EPA specifies a minimum detergent level in gasoline primarily to keep engines "clean" which should result in lower emissions and may improve fuel economy over "unclean" engines - engines with deposits.  PEA is probably the best cleaning agent available to remove deposits in the combustion area of ICE.  BTW, with a VW scan tool one could monitor misfires as there is a counter that keeps track of misfires.  When a threshold level is reached the MIL is illuminated.  If we knew the misfire PIDs (diagnostics Parameter IDs) for the C-Max, we could do the same with various inexpensive Apps or a Scangauge.  I believe one could perhaps then gauge when one might want to try a FIC.

[Smiling Jack]

CEL = Check Engine Light or MIL

 

IIRC = If I Recall Correctly :)

 

MSDS = Material Data Safety Sheet

 

The EPA specifies a minimum detergent level in gasoline primarily to keep engines "clean" which should result in lower emissions and may improve fuel economy over "unclean" engines - engines with deposits.  PEA is probably the best cleaning agent available to remove deposits in the combustion area of ICE.  BTW, with a VW scan tool one could monitor misfires as there is a counter that keeps track of misfires.  When a threshold level is reached the MIL is illuminated.  If we knew the misfire PIDs (diagnostics Parameter IDs) for the C-Max, we could do the same with various inexpensive Apps or a Scangauge.  I believe one could perhaps then gauge when one might want to try a FIC.

 

Thanks.

 

Where does one look up the MSDS?  Is it posted at the station?  Does it need to be updated every time they take a delivery?

Edited October 19, 2014 by Smiling Jack

[plus 3 golfer]

Usually, the manufacturer of a product has the product specs and MSDS on their websites. The sheets are probably available at some govt agency.  For example, here's Techron.  My guess is PEA is covered under the Stoddard Solvent on page 1 of the sheet.

[Smiling Jack]

Usually, the manufacturer of a product has the product specs and MSDS on their websites. The sheets are probably available at some govt agency.  For example, here's Techron.  My guess is PEA is covered under the Stoddard Solvent on page 1 of the sheet.

 

I misunderstood.

 

I thought we were talking about a way to find out how much of the stuff was in any particular gasoline.

 

In 1982, when I got my first fuel-injected car, I was using Exxon gasoline exclusively.  Eventually I had injectors to clog up.  A friend recommended Techron.  That did the trick.  Exxon had no Techron at the time.  Second fuel injected car had the same sequence of events  I switched to Chevron, which I have used almost exclusively ever since.  No more problems at all in 30 years!

 

Exxon gas proved so troublesome for injectors that some manufacturers specifically advised their owners not to use Exxon.  As time went on, most major brands added Techron (or equivalent), but I stuck with Chevron, figuring that since Chevron owned the Techron product they could afford to put more in.

 

Last month my corner station switched from Chevron to Exxon.  It's very convenient, and it has one of the only brushless car washes anywhere nearby.  I thought I might just be safe to use the Exxon gas now, ecpecting that it has Techron, but I still wonder whether it has as much as the Chevron does.

 

Does anyone know for sure?

[plus 3 golfer]

I believe gasoline is treated as a mixture and should have a MSDS. Additives are added to gas at the ditribution terminal based on retailer requirements. I have seen on many Top Tier and non Top Tier retailers' web sites indicate the additional level of detergent additives included in their gas expressed as 2X, 3X and so forth above the EPA minimum.

 

Exxon is a top tier retailer. I wouldn't worry.

[cmaxlen]

thanks everyone for all the info

[RobMax]

Two things I've always used, depending on price when purchased. One, the Techron, and the other is Sea Foam. I dump them both down the tank to mix with the fuel, which then supposedly cleans the injectors, valves, piston-tops, and cylinder walls. I know when I dumped Sea Foam slowly down the carb (so as to avoid hydrolock) in my 85 'stang it would smoke like crazy but run much better afterward.

 

For those who want to experiment with making their own Sea Foam: http://hildstrom.com/projects/seafoam/

Edited October 22, 2014 by RobMax