BMW Fuel System Cleaner is Techron

[X5 Meister]

Originally Posted by dkl

I would like to see the actual TSB that recommends using additives every 3k. If that's the case, then there's definitely a design flaw in BMW engines since no other manufacturers have this recommendation. It's a catch22 when using fuel additives. While it's great for fuel injectors and intake valves, the concentrated additives isn't good for alot of the other components in the fuel system.

The TSB has been republished by BMW practically every year now, going on a few years. If I can find a copy I'll try to post it. You should read about the history of carbon deposits on intake valves and so forth. BMW was instrumental in investigating the problem years ago (like in the 80's) and actually did independent testing of fuels to determine how much deposits form for a given fuel. I believe it was called the "BMW Test." They took a brand new engine, took it apart, weighed all the major components very accurately. Put it back together. Ran the engine for 50,000 miles or something like that in a lab and then stripped it again and re-weighed all the components. At the time they determined that Chevron gas was the least offensive, though all gas left deposits. Working with Chevron they decided to package their detergent (Techron) in concentrated form for a cleaning "boost" and recommended to do it on regular intervals to maintain performance. Chevrons own testing determined that Techron was safe for all major engine components and has been in all their grades of gas for decades now. (So I'm not sure where is your data on it not being good for fuel system components maybe you should send it to Chevron.)

As far as other manufacturers recommendations, I really could care less what honda, toyota, or anyone else has to say on the matter...that's why I have a BMW and have only purchased BMW's for the past 30 years.

[JCL]

One of the BMW TSBs is here:

http://www.bmwtis.com/tsb/bulletins/...p/B130206g.htm

Note that it says to use good quality gasoline. If you can't do so, the 20 oz bottle of Techron is second-best.

I have worked on engines that had an additive poured in, to fix a problem caused by a build-up of deposits. The result was that the deposits were cleaned out, but didn't make it out of the engine. They caused consequential damage to the engine. It was an expensive fix for the owner, involving engine disassembly.

I stand by my previous recommendation: use good quality gas. If you can't, use a Techron-based additive, but realize that they are not without risks.

[JCL]

Originally Posted by mgruber

The TSB has been republished by BMW practically every year now, going on a few years. If I can find a copy I'll try to post it. You should read about the history of carbon deposits on intake valves and so forth. BMW was instrumental in investigating the problem years ago (like in the 80's) and actually did independent testing of fuels to determine how much deposits form for a given fuel. I believe it was called the "BMW Test." They took a brand new engine, took it apart, weighed all the major components very accurately. Put it back together. Ran the engine for 50,000 miles or something like that in a lab and then stripped it again and re-weighed all the components. At the time they determined that Chevron gas was the least offensive, though all gas left deposits. Working with Chevron they decided to package their detergent (Techron) in concentrated form for a cleaning "boost" and recommended to do it on regular intervals to maintain performance. Chevrons own testing determined that Techron was safe for all major engine components and has been in all their grades of gas for decades now. (So I'm not sure where is your data on it not being good for fuel system components maybe you should send it to Chevron.)

As far as other manufacturers recommendations, I really could care less what honda, toyota, or anyone else has to say on the matter...that's why I have a BMW and have only purchased BMW's for the past 30 years.

The BMW deposit test was many years ago, and was similar to a Honda test and a Toyota test. Gasoline at the time did not have sufficient additives at many stations to control deposits on intake valves, a very specific problem that is not the same as the injector problems many manufacturers have had.

EDIT: The SAE report on the Toyota study is here: http://www.sae.org/technical/papers/922265. Note that it is from 1992; as I said, the original issue was many years ago. The BMW test is documented here: http://www.swri.org/3pubs/brochure/d08/qualify/qual.htm. It is from 1985, with the SAE paper presented in 1987 (I belonged to SAE at that time, and remember this series of papers). Given the progress made in the last 25 years in engine technology (ie injector pressures), the tests are interesting but less relevant.

Some other brands use cleaners other than Techron; some brands purchase the rights to use the chemicals that Chevron brands as Techron.

Techron is safe, but not in very high concentrations, IMO. That isn't news to Chevron.