Fuel injector cleaners?

[sprfunk]

Anyone use them? How about octain boosters? Could this do damage?

 

[WOTDSM]

Octane boosters foul spark plugs. I just put a can of seafoam in my tank because I'm getting some nasty detonation. If you plan on using a fuel injector cleaner, go with seafoam. It's the cream of the crop.

 

[romeen]

If you use a good quality gasoline which already has detergents added to it then aftermarket additives are generally not necessary. If you do decide to try a fuel system cleaner then I would suggest either RedLine SI-1 or Techron. The RedLine product is unique in that it is detergent based as opposed to solvent based. The problem with solvent based cleaners added to the gas tank is that they become too diluted to effectively clean.
The only solvent based cleaner that I have read has good results is the Techron which contains polyether amine.

Remember that if you don't have any fuel flow restrictions caused by deposits, etc. then you will have no appreciable benefit from using these. If you want to use them as a preventative measure and don't mind the expense then there is no harm that I am aware of.

Most octane boosters in a can raise octane so minimally that they are not worth it. When the can claims to raise octane by 6 points it actually means 0.6. i.e. you will have 92.6 instead of 92. If you are concerned with octane and don't want to use race gas you can do a search on using toluene or xylene to raise octane.

 

[sprfunk]

Great thanks, that was very good info!

 

[harry1511]

Over here in the Uk I use a Octane boster from NOS Racing. Our fuel has a much lower rating than yours and it does make a difference. However in answer to you second question, I believe that using them does cause some extra spark plug fouling I normally use Redline to help keep thinks clean.

 

[Defiant]

We just did this last week.