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Chat Area => General Car Chat => Topic started by: DrAndyB on 16 March 2015, 22:04:25

Title: Fuel tank injector cleaner / carb cleaner - Same stuff ?
Post by: DrAndyB on 16 March 2015, 22:04:25
I was minding my own business in shops the other day and I noticed that the petrol additive for cleaning injectors (STP brand I think) had two flavours, one was for "Suitable for Fuel injection" engines the other for "carburetor" based engines.

When I examined the bottles BOTH appeared to have the SAME red looking liquid, same shade and appeared same viscosity ( well, shook both bottles and appeared identical ! So not that scientific !)

The information and blurb on bottles was identical other than one making the reference to Injectors.

One however was HALF PRICE !  (The carburetor one) and so the thought occurred that would it matter which one I used ?

Also I guess, is it worth using the stuff at all ???????

Thoughts ????

(There was a different 3rd one for Diesel so not mixed up with that one !!!)
Title: Re: Fuel tank injector cleaner / carb cleaner - Same stuff ?
Post by: chrisgixer on 16 March 2015, 22:15:06
The carburettor cleaner one isn't "carb cleaner" it's a fuel tank additive.


"Carb cleaner"  is clear, watery, and an aggressive cleaner of congealed petro chemical substances. Used to clean dismantled parts, such as carberetors. Also plenums, throttle bodies, inlets, brake discs as its similar to brake cleaner, etc etc.

The fuel tank additive is something else. Oily, red, usually, and that's all I know as I've never used it.


Title: Re: Fuel tank injector cleaner / carb cleaner - Same stuff ?
Post by: DrAndyB on 16 March 2015, 22:31:57
Yep both appeared oily, red and were fuel additives.

Question is I assume both are exactly the same despite one claiming to be suitable for Fuel Injected engines, the other for Carburetor engines !!

Also not sure if they actually provide any benefit in use anyhow ??
Title: Re: Fuel tank injector cleaner / carb cleaner - Same stuff ?
Post by: 05omegav6 on 16 March 2015, 22:39:47
A couple of cans of Wynns Fuel injector/system cleaner, a tank of Shell V Power and a tank mpg target of sub 15 mpg are an effective way of cleaning the fuel system :y

Quite entertaining too, just pop it in third and keep your boot in ;D
Title: Re: Fuel tank injector cleaner / carb cleaner - Same stuff ?
Post by: DrAndyB on 16 March 2015, 22:43:18
Quite entertaining too, just pop it in third and keep your boot in ;D

Last time I did that in anger the old Horse Hair exhaust was following me, again :D
Title: Re: Fuel tank injector cleaner / carb cleaner - Same stuff ?
Post by: 05omegav6 on 16 March 2015, 22:44:58
 ;D
Title: Re: Fuel tank injector cleaner / carb cleaner - Same stuff ?
Post by: Vamps on 16 March 2015, 23:55:01
A couple of cans of Wynns Fuel injector/system cleaner, a tank of Shell V Power and a tank mpg target of sub 15 mpg are an effective way of cleaning the fuel system :y

Quite entertaining too, just pop it in third and keep your boot in ;D

We used to put Redex directly into the carb, James Bond would have been happy with the smoke screen that followed; Oh to be young and daft again............... ;) :D :D
Title: Re: Fuel tank injector cleaner / carb cleaner - Same stuff ?
Post by: henryd on 17 March 2015, 00:17:31
A couple of cans of Wynns Fuel injector/system cleaner, a tank of Shell V Power and a tank mpg target of sub 15 mpg are an effective way of cleaning the fuel system :y

Quite entertaining too, just pop it in third and keep your boot in ;D

We used to put Redex directly into the carb, James Bond would have been happy with the smoke screen that followed; Oh to be young and daft again............... ;) :D :D

Yep did that out side my mates house about 35 years ago as you say the smokescreen is impressive,less impressed were the residents of the estate !!
Title: Re: Fuel tank injector cleaner / carb cleaner - Same stuff ?
Post by: Vamps on 17 March 2015, 00:43:22
A couple of cans of Wynns Fuel injector/system cleaner, a tank of Shell V Power and a tank mpg target of sub 15 mpg are an effective way of cleaning the fuel system :y

Quite entertaining too, just pop it in third and keep your boot in ;D

We used to put Redex directly into the carb, James Bond would have been happy with the smoke screen that followed; Oh to be young and daft again............... ;) :D :D

Yep did that out side my mates house about 35 years ago as you say the smokescreen is impressive,less impressed were the residents of the estate !!

 :y :y
Title: Re: Fuel tank injector cleaner / carb cleaner - Same stuff ?
Post by: aaronjb on 17 March 2015, 08:57:17
Question is I assume both are exactly the same despite one claiming to be suitable for Fuel Injected engines, the other for Carburetor engines !!

It's entirely possible the one designed for carburettored engines contains an additive unsuitable for use with catalytic convertors and/or O2 sensors..

..and on a properly running modern fuel injected engine, both will be pretty much redundant in terms of combustion chamber cleaning as they run very clean indeed.  Maybe they might clean up the injector spray pattern a little but you're more likely to see benefits there by whipping the injectors out and having them ultrasonically cleaned for twenty quid a pop - http://www.injectorcleaning.co.uk
Title: Re: Fuel tank injector cleaner / carb cleaner - Same stuff ?
Post by: Bigron on 17 March 2015, 09:49:48
Mr. Vamps...."Oh to be young and daft again..............."
What is wrong with being old and daft? You are NEVER old enough to know better    ;D

Ron.
Title: Re: Fuel tank injector cleaner / carb cleaner - Same stuff ?
Post by: Field Marshal Dr. Opti on 17 March 2015, 11:12:05
A couple of cans of Wynns Fuel injector/system cleaner, a tank of Shell V Power and a tank mpg target of sub 15 mpg are an effective way of cleaning the fuel system :y

Quite entertaining too, just pop it in third and keep your boot in ;D

We used to put Redex directly into the carb, James Bond would have been happy with the smoke screen that followed; Oh to be young and daft again............... ;) :D :D

No need for Redex. A seventies two stroke bike motorcycle will do the job equally as well.

Kawasaki 2 stroke triple anyone. ;D ;D ;D