Modern Vespa

So since the mighty mp3 is ei, what say you crowd on the use of fuel injector additive to gas? I've thought about this once or twice but was unsure if just using the same type as cars would work and if it would, I guess I could sit down and figure out the necessary amount to add...

Any experience with this?

I found at least here locally that most Gas Stations that sell Premium Gas or "91 octane" that I use come with cleaners of sorts and I have seen that they do work from the looks of the spark plugs and engine inside with head removed for rebuild. Mind you I only have 4500 kms so far on my 400 without any problems. I will be using a lighted scope to take a look into the combustion chamber when it comes time to change out the plug to see how things are fairing.....

Injector cleaner is good to use. But don't waste your money on the crap they sell in stores. Go to www.BGFindAShop.com and find a shop that uses BG Products and get BG44K. It treats 20 gals and is strong stuff so don't over use.
It's not cheap ($18-$20 a can) but will blow ANYTHING you can buy over the counter away 100x.

Now the way to use a fuel injector cleaner. Most people think, put in a can of fuel injector cleaner and go for a long ride to clean the system, FAIL, WRONG!!!! You want it to be in your fuel system for as long a possible so it can soak in to clean away deposits. Use it when you are going to be doing lots of short trips. This gives it time to soak into varnish and carbon deposits.

People will come on here and tell you Sea Foam is the best stuff in the world because they saw it on TV. It's a low grade over the counter cleaner. BG doesn't advertise on TV they sell to shops they are not trying to sell to individuals, they are selling to the guys who say chemicals are junk and have to change their minds and do.

Sales pitch over. And no I don't sell BG or am I affiliated with them in any way except a loyal customer for over 10 years.

Wayne B

I've used Amsoil Performance Enhanser with good results.

I use a little octane boost/ cleaner and can tell a difference.

luthor....I guess that's a "yey" on the fuel injector cleaner Now all you have to do is make up your mind WHICH one you're going to use (IF you use it), AND....how much 2 use. I kinda like what Wayne had to say...I may check that BG44K one out.

I run only Shell Premium. Every once in a great while I add a cap full of Chevron Techron to a full tank of gas.

Couple years ago I was having trouble with a Chrysler turbo pinging on all the fuel I gave it. A seasoned and experienced mechanic friend told me to run a tank of premium Chevron Techron with a half gallon of E85 mixed in, then stick with the Chevron premium only after that and use a little 85 in later tanks to spike octane if it came back (very little). That advice I followed and I never had that trouble again with any of my cars or trucks. A little high octane E85 made a world of difference in that car.

I stick with Chevron fuel for everything now. So far I see no reason not to keep fueling Loretta with the same, but no E85 of course. What fuel is everyone else using?

Just remember there are 2 different Chevron Techron fuel cleaners, one is about 2 -3 times as expensive as the other. You what the pricey one. That is the best over the counter cleaner if you are getting the right one.

Wayne B

Hum, not sure where to start here. If you weren't running premium fuel with a turbo'd engine that is the reason you were getting pinging. Not sure what the E85 did, it may have cleaned the carbon out of the combustion cylinder which was the problem if you had not been running a premium fuel. Ethanol is a really good cleaner, but you're lucky you didn't get a massive fuel leak from running the E85 in an old car with out Alcohol compatible fuel componates.

And the E85 is NOT high octane as you stated, it is VERY low octane and can do major harm to a fuel system not designed for it.

I would use a good fuel cleaner next time, NOT E85.

Wayne B

Wayne, re your rejoinder to my post:

Of course I was running premium fuel in the turbo, all she ever saw, and I never said it was an old car. Problem was most of it was crappy fuel, whether from a major refinery or an independent, and I kept trying them all. And all fuels in this metro area have to be 'oxygenated' - i.e., 10% alcohol - for six months a year, but some do a poor job of blending, and that made it even harder. What I needed was a good fuel and blending consistency, which I found, and then got consistent myself with using only the one grade/brand.

The small amount E85 I used, purchased locally, was labeled 105 octane - and regardless, E85 absolutely is HIGHER octane than premium gasoline, not lower (wiki, google, whatever), it just doesn't have the same energy potential so requires higher compression and can't be used in gasoline engines. You may not be sure but I am that it provided excellent cleaning, but more importantly it immediately eliminated the detonation and pinging. Then staying with the Chevron made a difference I like - and I will continue to stay with it. Now I use about 1:20 E85 to gas in my turbo every ten tanks or so. If something works for me I don't feel a need to fix it.

To each his own. Good to have a forum where these opinions - and that's what everyone's $0.02 here is - can be exchanged.