E90Post
 


 
BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum > E90 / E92 / E93 3-series Technical Forums > Mechanical Maintenance: Break-in / Oil & Fluids / Servicing / Warranty > This might be the best $10 for your car!



Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      04-18-2013, 03:11 PM   #1
bmvee
MMM
bmvee's Avatar
United_States
13
Rep
151
Posts

Drives: 335i
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: CA

iTrader: (6)

Garage List
2007 BMW 335i  [0.00]
This might be the best $10 for your car!

My 335i is at 76k miles now and it's feeling slower by the day. I read about valve cleaning with walnut shells, but have no time yet. Then I remembered members on here used fuel treatment with good results.

I'm always skeptical about these things, but heck why not. I picked up 2 bottles of Lucas Fuel Treatment for $4.77 each at Walmart. About $10 with tax. The bottle says it will clean and lubricate upper cylinder as well. Interesting.

Dumped it in with half a tank, and by next day I noticed a remarkable difference. 4th gear feels like 3rd gear, engine is snappier, and idles smoother. Of course the car is faster too. I couldn't believe it.

I have since then purchased the 1 gallon version on Amazon for $27. 1 gal = 128 oz and each bottle is 5.25 oz, 128/5.25 = 24.4 bottles worth. Since I already have 2 empty bottles from before, I just do my own refills. That equals to about $1.11 / bottle. You can't beat that!

I opted to use 2 bottles for the first few times and will just use 1 every fill up. Here's something to try out if your car is high mileage and probably has tons of carbon buildup like I do. Cheers!


Appreciate 0
      04-18-2013, 03:14 PM   #2
PINeely
Lieutenant Colonel
PINeely's Avatar
United_States
1080
Rep
1,912
Posts

Drives: 2013 535i, 2015 Tundra 1794
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Jackson, MS

iTrader: (2)

Thing is, we're direct-injected. That stuff never touches the valves in a DI car.

It'll give your injectors a good cleaning though.
Appreciate 0
      04-18-2013, 03:26 PM   #3
bmvee
MMM
bmvee's Avatar
United_States
13
Rep
151
Posts

Drives: 335i
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: CA

iTrader: (6)

Garage List
2007 BMW 335i  [0.00]
True, that is why I still need to do the intake/valve cleaning, but this should clean the exhaust valves too
Appreciate 0
      04-18-2013, 04:14 PM   #4
PINeely
Lieutenant Colonel
PINeely's Avatar
United_States
1080
Rep
1,912
Posts

Drives: 2013 535i, 2015 Tundra 1794
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Jackson, MS

iTrader: (2)

Ah ok I thought that you were offering this as an alternative to the valve cleaning. I've used it too, it's good stuff. You could really feel it working in my old Mustang
Appreciate 0
      04-18-2013, 04:19 PM   #5
MrPig
Major
MrPig's Avatar
Canada
14
Rep
1,203
Posts

Drives: '11 STI, '90 325iS
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
1990 BMW 325is  [10.00]
Need to find out if we have this up here. My 311,000km e30 could use an injector cleaning. Or 10

Edit: We do! $5.99, not too bad I guess.
__________________
Appreciate 0
      04-18-2013, 04:34 PM   #6
Dark_Knight_335
Came to the N55 Darkside
Dark_Knight_335's Avatar
United_States
1131
Rep
12,740
Posts

Drives: 2011 335 E93 M-Sport
Join Date: May 2010
Location: NY/NJ

iTrader: (28)

I assume this would be of zero benefit to a car with 12k on the clock?
Appreciate 0
      04-18-2013, 04:38 PM   #7
Snyperx
Lieutenant
United_States
98
Rep
513
Posts

Drives: 2006 325i (SOLD)
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Stoughon, WI

iTrader: (3)

Garage List
2006 BMW 325i  [0.00]
I keep a bottle of Techron in the trunk. I usually run a bottle through every handful of tank fills.

__________________
Regards,
SnyperX
Appreciate 0
      04-18-2013, 04:39 PM   #8
E92 M2530Z
Private
13
Rep
91
Posts

Drives: E92 2008 335i
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: SoCal

iTrader: (0)

thanks for the headsup on this, worth a try

any thoughts on if this is more/less effective than Chevron's Techron Concentrate Plus? Or is that product targeting a different goal?

And similarly, I found a 9/06 Technical Bulletin (SI B 13 05 06) saying the following: "If the TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline is unavailable, we recommend BMW Group Fuel System Cleaner Plus (PN 82 14 0 413 341) be added to the gas tank. For optimum cleaning and deposits control, add a 20 fl. oz. bottle every 3,000 miles when refueling.

I'm assuming this Lucas product is doing basically the same thing?
Appreciate 0
      04-18-2013, 04:47 PM   #9
PINeely
Lieutenant Colonel
PINeely's Avatar
United_States
1080
Rep
1,912
Posts

Drives: 2013 535i, 2015 Tundra 1794
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Jackson, MS

iTrader: (2)

Quote:
Originally Posted by E92 M2530Z View Post
thanks for the headsup on this, worth a try

any thoughts on if this is more/less effective than Chevron's Techron Concentrate Plus? Or is that product targeting a different goal?

And similarly, I found a 9/06 Technical Bulletin (SI B 13 05 06) saying the following: "If the TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline is unavailable, we recommend BMW Group Fuel System Cleaner Plus (PN 82 14 0 413 341) be added to the gas tank. For optimum cleaning and deposits control, add a 20 fl. oz. bottle every 3,000 miles when refueling.

I'm assuming this Lucas product is doing basically the same thing?
I know that the BMW product is just rebranded Techron. Lucas is something different but it does the same thing.
Appreciate 0
      04-18-2013, 05:13 PM   #10
Greatdane84
Leeeroy Jankins
Greatdane84's Avatar
United_States
31
Rep
423
Posts

Drives: 335i e90 LCI
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: SW Florida

iTrader: (2)

Garage List
2009 335i  [10.00]
Is it possible to use too much of this? I would think a bottle or 2 every 5k-7500 miles would be fine
__________________
e90 LCI w/ -= VRSF 7" FMIC =-
-= Cobb: Stg1 +FMIC Aggressive ST =-
Last Install: BMS DCI + Caliper/Drum Paint

"If you're not 1st, you're last" -Ricky Bobby
Appreciate 0
      04-18-2013, 05:27 PM   #11
pepsih
Captain
pepsih's Avatar
135
Rep
820
Posts

Drives: f02, e24
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Long Island

iTrader: (4)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Snyperx View Post
I keep a bottle of Techron in the trunk. I usually run a bottle through every handful of tank fills.

That's what i use and i love it
i use it every 4000 miles
Appreciate 0
      04-18-2013, 05:45 PM   #12
bmvee
MMM
bmvee's Avatar
United_States
13
Rep
151
Posts

Drives: 335i
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: CA

iTrader: (6)

Garage List
2007 BMW 335i  [0.00]
Quote:
Originally Posted by E92 M2530Z View Post
thanks for the headsup on this, worth a try

any thoughts on if this is more/less effective than Chevron's Techron Concentrate Plus? Or is that product targeting a different goal?

And similarly, I found a 9/06 Technical Bulletin (SI B 13 05 06) saying the following: "If the TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline is unavailable, we recommend BMW Group Fuel System Cleaner Plus (PN 82 14 0 413 341) be added to the gas tank. For optimum cleaning and deposits control, add a 20 fl. oz. bottle every 3,000 miles when refueling.

I'm assuming this Lucas product is doing basically the same thing?
The BMW Fuel Cleaner is the same as Techron I heard. Lucas is different formula, but same purpose. You could use either one. I'm using the Lucas because I heard good things about it, so that's what I went with. Plus with the gallon option, each bottle becomes $1.11
Appreciate 0
      04-18-2013, 05:47 PM   #13
bmvee
MMM
bmvee's Avatar
United_States
13
Rep
151
Posts

Drives: 335i
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: CA

iTrader: (6)

Garage List
2007 BMW 335i  [0.00]
Quote:
Originally Posted by Greatdane84 View Post
Is it possible to use too much of this? I would think a bottle or 2 every 5k-7500 miles would be fine
Lucas says "Exceeding the recommended dosage is not harmful to your vehicle."

I used 2 bottles for a more concentrated cleaning, but normally I would do just 1 to save money. Plus each bottle is formulated to treat 25 gallons
Appreciate 0
      04-18-2013, 05:50 PM   #14
bmvee
MMM
bmvee's Avatar
United_States
13
Rep
151
Posts

Drives: 335i
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: CA

iTrader: (6)

Garage List
2007 BMW 335i  [0.00]
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dark_Knight_335 View Post
I assume this would be of zero benefit to a car with 12k on the clock?
People use this regularly with every fill up or every oil change. It's simply preventative maintenance, so any mileage will be okay
Appreciate 0
      04-18-2013, 05:52 PM   #15
13entley
Lieutenant
28
Rep
456
Posts

Drives: E28 533i & B5 S4
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: South Jersey

iTrader: (7)

Garage List
2008 335i  [10.00]
I'm about to do this OP! I'm at 73k and car is feeling sluggish. I am also bringing it in next friday for walnut shell blasting too, I can let you know how it worked out.
Appreciate 0
      04-18-2013, 05:56 PM   #16
Game
------
Game's Avatar
8145
Rep
10,620
Posts

Drives: G80 LCI, G87 (sold)
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Chicago'ish

iTrader: (25)

Gonna buy a bottle. Thanks OP.
__________________
Appreciate 0
      04-18-2013, 05:58 PM   #17
DZheng
Second Lieutenant
DZheng's Avatar
68
Rep
294
Posts

Drives: BMW
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Bay Area

iTrader: (1)

Yes, this is a nice way to clean the injectors. But, you need to change your oil after. So only use this before a oil change.
Appreciate 0
      04-18-2013, 06:05 PM   #18
Route 16
I got lei'd
Route 16's Avatar
Philippines
865
Rep
7,609
Posts

Drives: '10 E90 M3
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Dark Side of the Moon

iTrader: (62)

Even though I'm an NA car, I read past threads to only add it before changing your oil because Techron will degrade the engine oil. So if you are one of the guys that do oil changes every 5-7k miles, use the bottle, half tank, WOT, empty the tank, then change the oil soon.

I did do this once after an oil change, I did not notice anything wrong with my car's performance, only that it gave me an extra 20 miles on the tank, after no cleaning for 20k miles I guess.
Appreciate 0
      04-18-2013, 06:19 PM   #19
1077CJ
New Member
1077CJ's Avatar
United_States
12
Rep
12
Posts

Drives: 2018 M3
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Wake Forest NC

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2015 X5 M Sport  [0.00]
2018 M3  [0.00]
2016 X5 M Sport  [0.00]
If you use a Top Tier Gasoline then you do not need to spend money on these cleaners. http://www.toptiergas.com/
Appreciate 0
      04-18-2013, 06:41 PM   #20
bmvee
MMM
bmvee's Avatar
United_States
13
Rep
151
Posts

Drives: 335i
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: CA

iTrader: (6)

Garage List
2007 BMW 335i  [0.00]
Quote:
Originally Posted by 1077CJ View Post
If you use a Top Tier Gasoline then you do not need to spend money on these cleaners. http://www.toptiergas.com/
Yes that is true, I myself only use Shell, Chevron, or Mobil by order. However the detergents are diluted and does not offer the same concentrations or cleaning power unfortunately.

In my case, it still helps even with using top tier gasoline.
Appreciate 0
      04-18-2013, 06:49 PM   #21
Dark_Knight_335
Came to the N55 Darkside
Dark_Knight_335's Avatar
United_States
1131
Rep
12,740
Posts

Drives: 2011 335 E93 M-Sport
Join Date: May 2010
Location: NY/NJ

iTrader: (28)

Quote:
Originally Posted by 1077CJ
If you use a Top Tier Gasoline then you do not need to spend money on these cleaners. http://www.toptiergas.com/
Jajajajajaja- same heeeere mang!
Top Tier or nothing mang!
Appreciate 0
      04-18-2013, 06:53 PM   #22
Game
------
Game's Avatar
8145
Rep
10,620
Posts

Drives: G80 LCI, G87 (sold)
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Chicago'ish

iTrader: (25)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Snyperx View Post
I keep a bottle of Techron in the trunk. I usually run a bottle through every handful of tank fills.

Do you use it before an oil change?
__________________
Appreciate 0
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:18 PM.




e90post
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST