Fuel System Cleaner

I want to buy a fuel system cleaner to add in my gas tank but there are so many different brands. Can someone recommend a good one?

 

Not just different brands but different types. What do you need/want the cleaner to do?

Most of the cheap ones basically only help to dry up moisture in the system, the most expensive ones help to clean the valves also. Some can be used frequently while others are only recomended once per oil change.

 

I am looking to improve engine performance and get rid of any deposit buildup.

 

I don't know that one brand is all that better than another. Basically you want one of the complete fuel system cleaners that run about $5-$10. Read the label, most can only be used once or twice every so often.

 

Would you be able to give top three brands?

 

I recommend Chevron Techron, I have used several brands on small engines and most do nothing, it actually does remove carbon, the others didn't. However the mixture needs to be a lot stronger then recommended on the bottle. It really takes a stronger consentration of the product, or any of the others unless you dump a bottle in every 1/4 tank of fuel.
The following is for test purposes only since this is not a 2 cycle forum. Geo
To test:
Get a 2-cycle that is carboned up but runs(Cheveron Techron is not recommended for 2-cycle) put a mixture of 1/4 Techron and 3/4 (the normal fuel mix for the engine), enough for it to idle for 30 minutes. Start the engine and let it idle(don't rev the engine) after it runs for a while the gunk will start dripping from the muffler and anywhere else you didn't know you had a leak. Have a good one. Geo

 

Chevron Techron I have used it in my lawnmower that was surgeing at a higher concentration it worked. It cleaned out all the varnish from the jets.

 

The best way to clean up a gunky engine is through the intake. I use an old spray bottle and fill it with plain water and just a little tranny fluid for lubrication and shake it up. Make sure your oil level is good and the coolant level and you have no significant problems and park on a concrete driveway or anything but dead grass or the like. Start the engine and let it get hot. Spray the mixture of water and tranny fluid straight into the carb or throttle body. You can use a spay bottle but I actually use an old dishwashing bottle cause it comes out faster. Now the idea here is to allow the water to enter the cylinders and take up room while it is running. This will really heat up that combustion chamber and the crud and fuel deposites will flake off and blow out the exhaust. Just keep an eye on your exhaust manifold and when they start to turn cherry red you are pouring in too much water. You have to reach down on the carb or throttle body and rev up the engine so it wont stall. If it begins to stall stop with the water for a few seconds and rev it up, but dont red line it. Around 3,000 - 4,000 rpm's should be ok. Just keep working that water in slowly and reving up the engine and keep it hot but not too hot. Go through almost all of a 16 ounce squirt bottle and it should be clean. It's dangerous I agree but it gets the job done. Allow the engine to cool overnite then add 1 quart of kerosine to the crankcase motor oil after the engine is warm not hot and allow it to only idle for 10 minutes. Drain the oil while it is still warm cause it flows better and then change the filter add new oil. Take it to a carwash and use the engine degreaser setting on the carwash hose to clean off the engine while it is running warm or hot and be sure to cover the distributor, so as to not get it wet and keep the water away from distributor and carb or throttle body intake. Now you have a clean engine inside and out and around.

 

This is gonna light up the sky all white so make sure you ain't in a garage and yeah, have a water hose or fire extinguisher handy, just in case.

 

"This is gonna light up the sky all white so make sure you ain't in a garage and yeah, have a water hose or fire extinguisher handy, just in case"

And mess up the O2 sensors and maybe hydrolock the engine. Not to mention the neighbors are going to be really happy with you!
I don't think to much about flushing a engine like that, the oil passages are going to clog up with trash and any pseudo-seals that have formed are going to be cleaned away and leaks are going to start.
The best on the market is Cheveron Techron just use that, it works.

 

I would put a can of bg44 in my tank or BG quick clean. They are expensive but do a fine job

http://www.bgprod.com/products/products.html

 

Next time you fill your gas tank put a can of SeaFoam in the tank. It can be purchased at most Advance Auto stores and it works. Cost is 5-6 dollars a can.

http://www.seafoamsales.com/motorTuneUpTechGas.htm

I use it it all my cars, trucks, lawn equipment, and golf cart.

 

Another vote for Seafoam - it is the best such product on the market and I use it in my cars and lawn equipment as well.