BMW Fuel System Cleaner is Techron

[dkl]

mgruber, Good dig

[X5Flyboy]

my 2 cents. I have an aversion to Chevron as it always seems to be 2-10 cents a gallon more expensive. That said, I have switched to Shell from Phillips 66/Conoco/76 (before that Mobil & BP). Previously my fuel guage would stick and 19mpg was the best I could get out of my '01 4.4 Sport. Now the fuel guage nolonger sticks and mileage is a least 1 mpg better across all driving conditions (actually 2+ in local driving[not rush hour driving]) after over 1 yr of using Shell (Supreme)

[Skimo100]

Here is what I found out yesterday after speaking with my BMW service adviser. He recommended me to use the BMW Group fuel system cleaner PLUS when switching between fuel types. He actually gave me a free bottle (nice guy, Eduardo from BRAMAN BMW in WEST PALM BEACH, FL). I highly recommend this guy if you are in the WEST PALM BEACH area or near this area.

When we first got the car my wife was putting Chevron Premium fuel (no fuel consumption issues there). After the gas started to increase in price I switched to COSTO premium then when to using BP Premium fuel since I was getting a 10% off after getting a BP Visa card from them. From now on, after our little chat I'm putting the free 20FL OZ of this fuel system cleaner and filling up with chevron premium on my 2007 X3. BMW recommends using this every 3K miles. My BMW adviser told me to "just use this every so often and to just use the chevron midgrade fuel, otherwise you are throwing your money away". He used to be a BMW tech before and never had any issues with the bmws he had and have now (2007 X3 like mine) since using Chevron fuel. He swears by Chevron fuel and claims he doesn't get anything for suggesting to use Chevron products on BMWs. The issue popped up after I asked about some fuel consumption issues I've had after using BP premium. What is interesting about all this is that I love the BP premium in my 2007 Ford F150. For some reason is making the truck run nicer and is giving me more milage and better response when accelerating than before, therefore is more efficient. However the 2007 BMW X3 is not running as efficient after using BP Premium. I'm not crazy about adding extra fuel system cleaners but will do this only this time for now, since I'll be switching from BP premium to Chevron Premium. That should have all the fuel cleaners additives included without having to add anymore in the future. Let's see how that goes. By the way, the BMW Group fuel system cleaner PLUS is made by Chevron, just like the stated on the first post of this thead (i have a bottle right in front of me).

[RDM3]

I have always used Exxon 93, is there any where I can find out what additives or more info on Exxon's gas?

I am going to start using Texaco here soon to see if there is a difference.

[RDM3]

I have always used Exxon 93, is there any where I can find out what additives or more info on Exxon's gas?

I am going to start using Texaco here soon to see if there is a difference.

[amcink]

I used to use the Chevron additive on my C230 (BTW Costco $18.99 fora a box of 6 bottles) then I've switch to Lubro Moly Jectron gas additive in combination with Lubro Moly Ventil suber for valve cleanning for the c230 and the X5

[dkl]

Costco only sells the Fuel Injector Cleaner, NOT the Fuel System Cleaner.

[cooa99]

you yanks seem to know a lot about whats in what petrol.

I dont think we brits do. Only about 3 main suppliers .. shell, BP, texaco.

Anyone who where us brits can get this chevron stuff down in the UK. Maybe its time to start keeping an eye on my engine

[tetonguy]

Hey all,

01 3.0X5 110k miles. I am somewhat of a materials engineer. My two cents.

1. Decarbon your engine. This is done with kerosene in kerosense based cleaners added to your oil. Add a quart to a warm engine. Yes your crankcase will be overfilled for a few minutes. Run engine for 5-10 minutes. Then change oil. Kerosene dissolves carbon pretty well and quickly. This is an old farm trick which is valid for all gasoline engines. Just read the ingredients on that $9.00 quart of internal engine cleaner/oil additive---90+% is kerosene.
2. Had a BMW tech tell me the fuel issue is about the sensors associated with the fuel injectors. Each injector has a sensor. It is the sensor which collect deposits easier than the injector. If the sensor is dirty then it thinks that cylinder has fuel so it takes it out of the firing sequence which makes the engine run rough and have no power. Poor grade gasoline varnishes the sensors faster than higher grades. Fuel additives are the fix here.
3. Gasoiline.....with todays orchestrated crisis you never know what you are getting. My uncle owns a gas station and has said that it is worse to buy gas when his tanks are near empty (crappy deposits more concentrated in what remains to be sold) and for a few hours after his tanks are filled ( filling stirs up the sludge in the bottom of his tanks). This seems logical to me. Newer pumps have better filters but no owners are religious about their maintenance.
4. Its also not a smart idea to ride around with your gas guage light on. It might conserve you a few dollars in the short term but it will eventually cost you in the end.
5. All BMW owners should realize that these engines are fussy, overengineered and beyoned the knowledge of your average shade tree mechanic. It is the price we pay for superior performance and that egotistical cool factor we publically deny but secretly smirk about....heheh.

Drive safe....drive often.....it is a right the greenies long to take from us....and makes us into Euro loving tree huggers crammed into smart cars.

[tonycajjo]

Originally Posted by tetonguy

Hey all,

01 3.0X5 110k miles. I am somewhat of a materials engineer. My two cents.

1. Decarbon your engine. This is done with kerosene in kerosense based cleaners added to your oil. Add a quart to a warm engine. Yes your crankcase will be overfilled for a few minutes. Run engine for 5-10 minutes. Then change oil. Kerosene dissolves carbon pretty well and quickly. This is an old farm trick which is valid for all gasoline engines. Just read the ingredients on that $9.00 quart of internal engine cleaner/oil additive---90+% is kerosene.
2. Had a BMW tech tell me the fuel issue is about the sensors associated with the fuel injectors. Each injector has a sensor. It is the sensor which collect deposits easier than the injector. If the sensor is dirty then it thinks that cylinder has fuel so it takes it out of the firing sequence which makes the engine run rough and have no power. Poor grade gasoline varnishes the sensors faster than higher grades. Fuel additives are the fix here.
3. Gasoiline.....with todays orchestrated crisis you never know what you are getting. My uncle owns a gas station and has said that it is worse to buy gas when his tanks are near empty (crappy deposits more concentrated in what remains to be sold) and for a few hours after his tanks are filled ( filling stirs up the sludge in the bottom of his tanks). This seems logical to me. Newer pumps have better filters but no owners are religious about their maintenance.
4. Its also not a smart idea to ride around with your gas guage light on. It might conserve you a few dollars in the short term but it will eventually cost you in the end.
5. All BMW owners should realize that these engines are fussy, overengineered and beyoned the knowledge of your average shade tree mechanic. It is the price we pay for superior performance and that egotistical cool factor we publically deny but secretly smirk about....heheh.

Drive safe....drive often.....it is a right the greenies long to take from us....and makes us into Euro loving tree huggers crammed into smart cars.

on my list of top 5 posts on XOUTPOST!!!

ok, back to researching engine and fuel additives.