Best fuel additive?

Mike Smith · 02-26-2002, 04:54 AM

There's so many out there now (STP, Gunk, etc.), is one really any better than another?

live311 · 02-26-2002, 08:28 AM

None of them are really worth it. You certainly don't need to use them as often as they recommend (if it's not broken, don't fix it). But if your car is running crappy give it a try. It certainly won't make it worse. As for which one is better, I couldn't really tell you. I always went for the ones that claimed to do the most (and thus cost more). But I've never used any of that stuff on my RS.

Barry · 02-26-2002, 09:02 AM

Red Line Fuel Injection Cleaner- least abrasive to your fuel system components. Can be used as often as necessary.

Barry

Mike Smith · 02-26-2002, 11:40 AM

When I had my Justy, the dealer recommended a bottle every third tankful. Is the RS running crappy? Well, it does have the dreaded hesitation problem between 3500-4500 RPM and it occasionally goes into the on-off mode when it comes to throttle position - cresting a hill and back off slightly to hold speed, and the throttle just shuts down completly then pops back on when I push down a little

Mike Smith · 02-26-2002, 11:46 AM

When I had my Justy, the dealer recommended a bottle every third tankful. Is the RS running crappy? Well, it does have the dreaded hesitation problem between 3500-4500 RPM and it occasionally goes into the on-off mode when it comes to throttle position - cresting a hill and back off slightly to hold speed, and the throttle just shuts down completly then pops back on when I push down a little

Kyle Paton · 02-28-2002, 10:35 AM

Redline works the best. I even use it in my sports bike.

Kyle

RRinDC · 02-28-2002, 12:58 PM

...works for me.

tmat3 · 02-28-2002, 01:51 PM

I was told to stay off any fuel additives except during the winter, I add dry gas once every once a while.

tmat3 · 02-28-2002, 01:54 PM

Wait, you wrote,

Quote:

Well, it does have the dreaded hesitation problem between 3500-4500 RPM and it occasionally goes into the on-off mode when it comes to throttle position - cresting a hill and back off slightly to hold speed, and the throttle just shuts down completly then pops back on when I push down a little

You get that too? I sometimes get a feeling like the red line limiter kicked in around 2000RPM on 2nd/3rd gear. Or, more like fuel filter got clogged up. But, if I let go the gas and step on it again, it goes away instantly. Like I said, put some dry gas in it and see what happens. You may have moisture in the gas line.

MackDaddy · 03-03-2002, 12:21 PM

I've always used Red Line, or Chevron Techron at every oil change. Done this with the past 5 cars (20 years,) and never had fuel system problems.

Jim's .02

Redleader · 03-22-2002, 06:13 PM

In my other hoopdy(Chevy Tubro Sprint) with 157,000 miles I've always used Chevron Techron gas and additive with no probs.

Redleader

Jademonkey · 03-23-2002, 12:14 AM

Another vote for Redline! ~$5 at Pepboys.

ColinL · 03-23-2002, 05:51 PM

Chevron Techron.

alfaguy · 03-25-2002, 10:04 AM

I corresponded with a former Chevron engineer on this topic, his recommendation was to use Techron twice a year, and never more than 2 bottles per oil change as this can cause the oil to become diluted.

vvk · 03-25-2002, 11:16 AM

I've had great results with Barryman Chemtool B-12. Get the one sold in metal cans -- it's the strongest. It is usually available for under $2.50 at Walmart/K-Mart, PepBoys, etc.

You may want to try cleaning your throttle body. Gunk from the PCV system often accumulates on the bottom of it, causing idle problems, etc. Take off your air box (the one closest to the throttle body) and spray some carb/intake cleaner in there. Wipe thoroughly with a clean rag. Move the throttle plate out of the way with one hand and try to reach as deep as possible with the other while cleaning. Then spray some more carb/intake cleaner in there, applying as much pressure as possible. Assemble the air intake and start the car. Bring it up to about 2k rpm. It may run rough for a while and may blow some black smoke out back. This is normal, part of the cleaning process.

A good carb cleaner is, again, Berryman Carb Cleaner with B-12. Cheap and very effective. They also make a dedicated intake cleaner but I've never seen it in stores.

http://www.berrymanproducts.com/

02-26-2002, 04:54 AM	#1
Mike Smith Scooby Specialist Member#: 744 Join Date: Jan 2000 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: Middlesex, NY USA Vehicle: 00 BRP RS Coupe 02 Forester, 00 S-10,	Best fuel additive? There's so many out there now (STP, Gunk, etc.), is one really any better than another?

02-28-2002, 12:58 PM	#7
RRinDC Scooby Newbie Member#: 204 Join Date: Aug 1999 Location: DC Suburbs Vehicle: 1998 Impreza OBS Glacier White/Slate	Chevron Techron... ...works for me.

03-25-2002, 11:16 AM	#15
vvk Scooby Newbie Member#: 6436 Join Date: May 2001 Location: Holland, PA Vehicle: 1998 Impreza 2.5RS BDP	Berryman Chemtool I've had great results with Barryman Chemtool B-12. Get the one sold in metal cans -- it's the strongest. It is usually available for under $2.50 at Walmart/K-Mart, PepBoys, etc. You may want to try cleaning your throttle body. Gunk from the PCV system often accumulates on the bottom of it, causing idle problems, etc. Take off your air box (the one closest to the throttle body) and spray some carb/intake cleaner in there. Wipe thoroughly with a clean rag. Move the throttle plate out of the way with one hand and try to reach as deep as possible with the other while cleaning. Then spray some more carb/intake cleaner in there, applying as much pressure as possible. Assemble the air intake and start the car. Bring it up to about 2k rpm. It may run rough for a while and may blow some black smoke out back. This is normal, part of the cleaning process. A good carb cleaner is, again, Berryman Carb Cleaner with B-12. Cheap and very effective. They also make a dedicated intake cleaner but I've never seen it in stores. http://www.berrymanproducts.com/

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02-26-2002, 08:28 AM	#2
live311 Scooby Newbie Member#: 10801 Join Date: Oct 2001 Chapter/Region: NESIC Location: I'd kill myself for you. I'd Vehicle: kill you for myself.	None of them are really worth it. You certainly don't need to use them as often as they recommend (if it's not broken, don't fix it). But if your car is running crappy give it a try. It certainly won't make it worse. As for which one is better, I couldn't really tell you. I always went for the ones that claimed to do the most (and thus cost more). But I've never used any of that stuff on my RS.

02-26-2002, 09:02 AM	#3
Barry NASIOC Supporter Member#: 11554 Join Date: Oct 2001 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: Jones Beach, NY-- Spring Vehicle: 2011 STI WRB SEDAN	Red Line Fuel Injection Cleaner- least abrasive to your fuel system components. Can be used as often as necessary. Barry

02-26-2002, 11:40 AM	#4
Mike Smith Scooby Specialist Member#: 744 Join Date: Jan 2000 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: Middlesex, NY USA Vehicle: 00 BRP RS Coupe 02 Forester, 00 S-10,	When I had my Justy, the dealer recommended a bottle every third tankful. Is the RS running crappy? Well, it does have the dreaded hesitation problem between 3500-4500 RPM and it occasionally goes into the on-off mode when it comes to throttle position - cresting a hill and back off slightly to hold speed, and the throttle just shuts down completly then pops back on when I push down a little

02-26-2002, 11:46 AM	#5
Mike Smith Scooby Specialist Member#: 744 Join Date: Jan 2000 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: Middlesex, NY USA Vehicle: 00 BRP RS Coupe 02 Forester, 00 S-10,	When I had my Justy, the dealer recommended a bottle every third tankful. Is the RS running crappy? Well, it does have the dreaded hesitation problem between 3500-4500 RPM and it occasionally goes into the on-off mode when it comes to throttle position - cresting a hill and back off slightly to hold speed, and the throttle just shuts down completly then pops back on when I push down a little

02-28-2002, 10:35 AM	#6
Kyle Paton Scooby Newbie Member#: 1184 Join Date: Mar 2000 Chapter/Region: South East Location: Brooksville, FL Vehicle: 2012 Impreza Dark Grey Metallic	Redline works the best. I even use it in my sports bike. Kyle

02-28-2002, 01:51 PM	#8
tmat3 Scooby Specialist Member#: 2817 Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: NYC and Troy, NY Vehicle: 2001 Impreza 2.5RS BRP	I was told to stay off any fuel additives except during the winter, I add dry gas once every once a while.

03-03-2002, 12:21 PM	#10
MackDaddy Scooby Newbie Member#: 15451 Join Date: Feb 2002 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: Lewis Center, OH USA Vehicle: 2013 XV Crosstrek Desert Khaki - CVT	I've always used Red Line, or Chevron Techron at every oil change. Done this with the past 5 cars (20 years,) and never had fuel system problems. Jim's .02

03-22-2002, 06:13 PM	#11
Redleader Scooby Newbie Member#: 14430 Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Tacoma, Wa. USA Vehicle: '02 WRX Wagon WRB STi swap luvin it!!!	In my other hoopdy(Chevy Tubro Sprint) with 157,000 miles I've always used Chevron Techron gas and additive with no probs. Redleader

03-23-2002, 12:14 AM	#12
Jademonkey Scooby Specialist Member#: 9213 Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: My grandma was 6' 6" Vehicle: 2000 RS Red	Another vote for Redline! ~$5 at Pepboys.

03-23-2002, 05:51 PM	#13
ColinL Scooby Guru Member#: 114 Join Date: Jul 1999 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: Wichita, KS and Whoring, OT Vehicle: '03 Evo, Rice White '01 Erion CBR 929	Chevron Techron.

03-25-2002, 10:04 AM	#14
alfaguy Scooby Newbie Member#: 14238 Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Lafayette, CO Vehicle: 2002 WRX Wagon - PSM Alfas: 89 Milano \| 72 GTV	I corresponded with a former Chevron engineer on this topic, his recommendation was to use Techron twice a year, and never more than 2 bottles per oil change as this can cause the oil to become diluted.