I’ve got a 1999 Camry with 317,000 miles on it. While I was filling up at a gas station, some guy came over and told me I should try using Gumout tune up to clean the system. I’ve never heard of it or tried anything like that. Is this guy just talking nonsense or is there something to what he said? His Saturn looked spotless and had historic tags, so maybe he knows a thing or two.
It probably won’t hurt anything. It just helps clean the fuel injectors a bit.
Most of those fuel system cleaners you pour into the tank are pretty much a waste of money. I wouldn’t bother.
Cass said:
Most of those fuel system cleaners you pour into the tank are pretty much a waste of money. I wouldn’t bother.
Whoever downvoted, they said most, not all.
Cass said:
Most of those fuel system cleaners you pour into the tank are pretty much a waste of money. I wouldn’t bother.
Whoever downvoted, they said most, not all.
I honestly don’t care anymore. I tried a bunch of them hoping to fix a catalytic converter code and cut down on oil burning, and nothing changed. Seriously, nothing at all.
I did get some results using Marvel Mystery Oil in the engine oil and Berryman B12. I was testing stuff out to clean up stuck piston rings. Now I stick with Valvoline Restore and Protect.
If your car’s running fine, just keep doing what you’re doing. If you want to clean the fuel system, try running Shell V-Power.
I saw a video from the Motor Oil Geek talking about oil additives messing with the correct oil specs and raising metal levels in oil. It’s not worth it.
Even CarWizard added Lucas Oil Stabilizer to help with engine ticking — I think that’s what it was.
Modern oil already has a ton of additives in it. People don’t realize how advanced oil has become.
A lot of it is just brand loyalty or people thinking they notice improvements when nothing’s really happening. There’s a term for that, but I forget it. Anyway, most of the time, you’re just wasting your money.
Most major gas brands already include detergent. I usually add a bottle of dry gas between spring and fall.
If you get cheap gas often, I heard Techron is a good one to use.
If you’re using Top Tier gas regularly, there’s really no need to add fuel system cleaners.
Gumout, Redline S-1, and Techron all have something called PEA.
P.E.A. (Polyether-amine)
It’s a nitrogen-based detergent that can handle high engine temperatures. It’s the strongest thing out there for cleaning carbon build-up in the fuel system, and the only one shown to clean inside the combustion chamber, piston tops, and cylinder heads. It also cleans valves, ports, and both GDI and port injectors — and keeps them clean for about 3,000 miles.