Chevron Pro-gard injector cleaner with Techron from Costco: any good?

[e9999]

I normally don't buy stuff like that since it's usually hard to tell if they work or not but I did this time on an impulse and because I'm due for a smog test in a bit. About $18 for 4 bottles. I remember that some folks here actually saw some immediate positive results with BG44K and some Lucas cleaner but what about this Chevron stuff? Anybody saw a difference after use?

 

[Fosters]

I normally don't buy stuff like that since it's usually hard to tell if they work or not but I did this time on an impulse and because I'm due for a smog test in a bit. About $18 for 4 bottles. I remember that some folks here actually saw some immediate positive results with BG44K and some Lucas cleaner but what about this Chevron stuff? Anybody saw a difference after use?

I have has success with it with both an Audi TT (fuel level sender would gum up) and my land rover discovery ( helped with idle and mproved fuel mileage) YMMV

 

[Duiser Offroad]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Placebo

I normally don't buy stuff like that since it's usually hard to tell if they work or not but I did this time on an impulse and because I'm due for a smog test in a bit. About $18 for 4 bottles. I remember that some folks here actually saw some immediate positive results with BG44K and some Lucas cleaner but what about this Chevron stuff? Anybody saw a difference after use?

 

[UnstableOS]

I use this product from Redline. It is one of the only I would even consider. It may be a bit hard to find locally, but normally O' Reilly has it.. if they in your area.

http://www.redlineoil.com/product.aspx?pid=80&pcid=12

 

[js93cruiser]

I use marvel mystery oil in my gas, and only use chevron or shell gas

 

[goshenite]

In the past I have used Lucas and Chevron with Techron in my 3FE. I buy the Lucas by the gallon ($30)and use every 3rd fill-up ($1.25 per treatment). I have found this regimen eliminates injector tick and smooths out idle. Most recently I ran some BG44K through with 3/4 tank with similar results although the tick returned on the second tank. I always use 87 octane and occasionally splurge on 100% gas but not picky where it comes from.

Sent from Goshenite's iPhone using IH8MUD

 

[goshenite]

Deleted

 

[tominboise]

I've had good luck with the Chevron cleaner you bought. It usually results in smoother idle quite soon after application.

I also use seafoam in the tank every once in a while.

Do they sniff the exhaust where you are or do they scan the OBDII for codes, for the emissions testing?

 

[e9999]

well, so nothing too striking then? besides maybe Tom.

no "it was running terrible, I put the stuff in and after 1 tank it is now purring smoothly" kind of experience?

of course, mine is already running perfectly smooth so would be hard to tell. Perhaps might avoid problems with smog test at some point (yes sniffing) but that one was also always passed with flying colors. Then again, maybe the chemicals may affect the emissions adversely, aside from cleaning the system?


probably just wasting money...

 

[98 SNAKE EATER]

As far as fuel system cleaners go, the Techron stuff is about the best you'll find on the shelves

Plenty of threads on this on BTOG

That being said, don't expect miracles to come from a bottle

 

[SIZZLE]

well, so nothing too striking then? besides maybe Tom.

no "it was running terrible, I put the stuff in and after 1 tank it is now purring smoothly" kind of experience?

of course, mine is already running perfectly smooth so would be hard to tell. Perhaps might avoid problems with smog test at some point (yes sniffing) but that one was also always passed with flying colors. Then again, maybe the chemicals may affect the emissions adversely, aside from cleaning the system?

probably just wasting money...

If you've always passed with flying colors, I don't think I'd mess with a good thing.

 

[e9999]

Breaking news...!


so, it'd be difficult to see if this Chevron Progard Techron stuff works in my 80 since it's running perfectly, but I did a test...


... in my bike. Added a bit to a full tank of regular, calculated to be on the low side of their recommended concentration.

Lo and behold, after a quarter tank, the idle had jumped up on the bike and smoothed out considerably (the latter maybe as a consequence of the higher idle, of course, it's a thumper after all). Well, at least I'm 90% sure it's not my imagination cuz now the idle is so fast I'm having trouble getting it in first...

So maybe it does do something after all...

 

[LINUS]

I used to work in a petro refinery, and I wandered plenty through the place - point being I saw the totes they keep the gas additives in for the multi-branded gases blended to go out to local gas stations.

Texaco "system 1" - was the most corrosive on the stainless ball-valves

Shell "clean system" (or whatever it was) - corrosive, but not nearly like the Texaco stuff

Techron for the Chevron was the only one that didn't eat the stainless, and unless I can find a 76 station (no ethanol added), Chevron is my favorite for chain gas stations - but 76 is the king, boaters around here know that it's a dime more a gallon & the no ethanol even in winter is why, but that my vary by state - but other boaters here might chime in knowing that little fact.

I personally add a cup of mineral spirits to 10 gallons super for my personal rigs to plump out the seals, and alot of people don't know toluene is 116 octane - a real world octane booster for a lot less $$$ than the silly priced stuff at chain autopart stores. It gets expensive from a performance standpoint to make a good octane rating if you are brimming a tank, but $10/quart is easily 1/3 the price & the math holds for doing a quart toluene into 4.5 gallons 92+ octane pump gas.

The ethanol/methanol isn't a total loss if you live in the North in winter - the temp swings do make it work a occasional tank to bind the water condensate & get it out, although it is through your valves. Just saying.

I know nothing of BP gas, they were a completely different refinery & I've never been in one long enough to really explore the blending/output area -so I just stick to 76 & Chevron, BP **could** be better, IDK.

I say that knowing this stuff is like argueing religion or motor oil brands - people are generally loyal to whatever they do now & all you can do is give data & walk away - unless people are interested in change forcefully trying to cram a viewpoint on them is just a way to make people avoid you in future times.

 

[JCruse]

I normally don't buy stuff like that since it's usually hard to tell if they work or not but I did this time on an impulse and because I'm due for a smog test in a bit. About $18 for 4 bottles. I remember that some folks here actually saw some immediate positive results with BG44K and some Lucas cleaner but what about this Chevron stuff? Anybody saw a difference after use?

Chevrons Techron was the first safe and effective injector cleaner on the market which was first sold to BG brands until Chevron decided to market it themselves too under the Techron name. Soon after nearly every cleaner on the market used Techron under license to Chevron. I still don't think it's been improved on.

In fact when I got my first brand new Toyota, a 1983 Supra, the dealer sold BG injector cleaner (Before Techron came out) and advised it be used every six months in new Toyotas.

So yeah I use Techron in all my cars at least once if not twice a year. Not really for the newer type of non clogging injectors, but for the rest of the fuel/intake system. I've had it improve driving performance and idle in a few of my cars over the these past 30 years.

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[e9999]

Chevrons Techron was the first safe and effective injector cleaner on the market which was first sold to BG brands until Chevron decided to market it themselves under the Techron name. Soon after nearly every cleaner on the market used Techron under license to Chevron. I still don't think it's been improved on.

In fact when I got my first brand new Toyota, a 1983 Supra, the dealer sold BG injector cleaner (Before Techron came out) and advised it be used every six months in new Toyotas.

So yeah I use Techron in all my cars at least once if not twice a year. Not really for the newer type of non clogging injectors, but for the rest of the fuel/intake system. I've had it improve driving performance and idle in a few of my cars over the these past 30 years.



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are you saying that BG44K is really Techron? that'd be interesting since I have seen reports of good results with BG44.

 

[JCruse]

are you saying that BG44K is really Techron? that'd be interesting since I have seen reports of good results with BG44.

Yep, far as I know. There may be other additives mixed in too, but it's always contained Techron. At least since the mid '80's when I first learned about them. I've heard a lot more positive reviews about Techron, but that's just because it's more well known and in most stores. In fact Advance Auto just had it 2 for 1. I dumped both in the LC and filled her up.

When it was developed in the '80's the major US oil companies dropped what they were using as a fuel detergent and adopted Chevron's Techron because it was that much better.

Another product I've heard good things about is Seafoam. I bought a can of the intake fogger a while back for my VW, but now I think I'll treat the LC with it instead. 157k miles verses 80k. I think the 157k LC needs it more.

And I'm really not the type that buys into advertizing hype, just the opposite. I despise corporations and marketing shills. It's just that I know Techron/BG44 is good preventative maintenance (the same way high detergent gas is) and nearly everyone on the VW board uses Seafoam so I thought I'd give it a shot. That last product only took me the last 7 years to get to trust. lol
















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[e9999]

follow up:
no doubt, the bike idle is now much smoother, no more having to choose between stalling and overidling. That after only 1 tank. I put in a bit more Techron to see what would happen but I'm thrilled by the results so far. Of course, it's carburated and i suspect the FI on the 80 would not show an effect as easily but it's encouraging. I'll put in a bottle or 2 in the 80 before the next smog test.

 

[John E Davies]

I use it regularly, maybe once every six months. I see a little improvement in idle smoothness, not much else besides that it makes me feel better.

I try to add a bottle when the truck won't be burning up the entire tank immediately. I like to give it lots of time to sit and work on the deposits, so I won't use it right before a long road trip ... but a couple of weeks prior.

Does that make any sense at all?

John Davies
Spokane WA USA

 

[landtoy80]

Does Toyota still make its brand of Fuel Injector Cleaner?

 

[western flyer]

I have gone through a 2 cases of the techron stuff and have not noticed any change. But I was sorta regularly using the Redline cleaner before, to whatever effect (if any). With the techron I have been using it every other tank for the last few months. I did not notice any change after sea foam either about 9 months ago. I have been getting 15-16 mpg highway (70 mph ave) for the last 6 months or so with stock size tires, so maybe my junk is pretty clean already.