Brice-RX8

I have read topics on how the inside of the rotary gets pretty carboned up from normal driving and that high revving is kinda like a self cleaning action for the engine. I want to know if injector cleaners like STP and Chevron's Techron are ok for the rotary and do you think it will clean out the carbon from the chambers that high revving won't get? I was thinking that putting some of this in every oil change or so might be really good on the rotary.

army_rx8

hehe or you could just rev her to 9k+ more often liek i do:p

rx8wannahave

lol, yeah that's one method but I too have thought about that stuff. Is it bad for the rotary?

I actually used Chevron gas so I guess you could just get the fuel and keep from buying the stuff on the side.

But, please help us...is it OK to use fuel system cleaners on the rotary engine???

guy321

I don't see why it wouldn't be.

My dealer tries to charge me (alot) for BG fuel treatment every time scheduled maintenence comes around.

rx8wannahave

I wonder if the RX8 DVD they sent to alot of 8 owners talked about that???

expo1

The DVD only mentions Octane.

91+ for best performance
87-90 Ok, BUT reduced performance
Below 87 DO NOT USE.

rx8wannahave

Oh OK, Thanks...I'm useing 93 (we don't have 91 in my area) so I guess I'm OK. I guess we can call the dealership to see what they say. Or, can we call Mazda direct???

Go48

My understanding is that most gasolines today already have additives for the purpose of cleaning the fuel injectors. Anyone confirm that?

crossbow

Go48,

The EPA recently performed a study showing less then 50% of gasolines contain the proper amount of required additives. Fuel quality is in sharp decline as prices skyrocket. Everyone is trying to find ways to keep the same profit margins, which means that the additive levels of gasoline have been dropping steadily over the past year or so.

I'd consider running some sort of fuel cleaner now part of required maintaince on any new vehicle.

HottRodder

I throw in a bottle of fuel injector cleaner at every oil change. I did this for over 10 years with my '85 vette and it rarely stumbled when I sold it.

crossbow

If you can, run the injector cleaner about a week "prior" to the oil change. That way in case it is cleaning anything out of the fuel system, it'll drop in the used oil, instead of your fresh recently changed oil. Then when you change the oil, you flush everything out.

Rotario

I haven't put anything in my '8 yet (only 1700 miles), but when I do, it will be the BG. It's expensive, but it's one of the best fuel injector cleaners available. I'll pour in a bottle every 5k miles or so which is what I've done with previous cars.

My $0.02,
Bill

bxb40

I used the Techron Guard fuel injector cleaner just before winter hit NJ and I'll use it again when winter goes away Chevron gasoline has it anyway, but at lower concentrations. When not using the cleaner, I run 1 in 4 gas fills Shell V-Power, as it suppose to have a lot of cleaners (I use Shell 89 usually). When the cleaner is in, exaust can have a sulphurous smell, similar to rotten eggs... But don't be alarmed, all the cars I used this cleaner for did that.

hac

Your correct. The EPA mandates that all fuels are to be additized. It is for first, enviromental (cleaner burning) as well as cleaning injectors. Currently Shell 93 octane has the best fuel additive package and BP as of Feb 17th just increased their additive amount in there premium (93 octane) gas as well. Shell and BP/Amoco are the only two majors that have done this so far. I have seen the first hand results of engines that have been "tore down" (although piston) and there is no need for additional additive/cleaners. I have also seen "tore down" engines that have used "Unbranded" (not one of the majors) and I would have probably used a additive booster if I purchased their gas on a regular basis.
I read a reply something to the effect that 50% dont contain "the proper amount". I would tend to agree. The EPA states "it must be additized". Companies (majors and non majors) send in their additive and injection ratio for e EPA approval and they must approve it before it can be sold. Even though the EPA states they do not contain the "proper amount" they did approve it and these companies are within their legal right to not use as much as a major does. Additive is VERY expensive and is NOT all the same.
How many of the Majors mentioned do you see in comparison to non majors (unbranded)? I assure you for every Shell, BP, Texaco, Chevron, Exxon station you see you will also see a unbranded...(Speedway, Racetrac, Flying J, Pure, Sunnco, and the list goes on and on) thus your 50%. Stay with the major or buy the bottle of additive. The cost will be the same either way.

hac

Correct on the 50% but WAY off base on the profit margins. I will never deny that the prices are higher than ever but so are the "Profit Margins". Additive levels can't have ever droped without EPA approval. Cheaper additive formulas can be approved.

Go48

I guess you are saying that all gasolines in the US have EPA-approved additives, but that the additives some companies add to their product are better or higher in quantity than what other companies add. And that the EPA has minimum thresholds for additives. So, do you have information on the relative "quality" and amount of additives by oil company? Of course, that could change over time but it would be interesting to know that information.

Since you seem to know about these things, maybe you can answer a question I have about the "cheap" gas outlets. I have always heard that stop and shop stores like 7-11 purchase their gasoline from a major oil company (or companies) that refines and provides the fuel to them at a wholesale price. True? So if that is true, it's possible that the gasoline you are filling up with from a 7-11 pump is the same as what you would be filling up from a major oil company station. TIA!

crossbow

Looks like I'll eat crow on that one. I just remembered the EPA study, didn't remember the reasoning why, assumed it was due to pricing/profit reasons. At least my foot fits in my mouth easily.

Brice-RX8

Well I put some STP fuel injector cleaner in last night at 14000 miles and am going to hope it cleans the engine up (not that I will know if it does or not).

hac

I dont use the term cheap, lets say unbranded, due to the fact we sell to them too. (LOL) I have tons of information/documentation on any subject concerning fuels. However I signed a confidentially statement that can land me in jail and cost me way to much money. This is why I omit details and am vague at times and only post what the general public can access if they know where to look. Shell for example, after releasing their new additized Shell V Power last year has the highest share among all Premium grade gas phurchased in the USA. The marketing (not R&D) of this V Power additive package alone was in excess of 30 million. Only your Majors have the kind of money it takes to accomplish this R&D and marketing. If you advertize it and what it can do (clean injectors, add mileage, ect) it MUST do this or you are open to major law suits/ Fraud by anyone that can prove it. As far as refining....all "BASE GAS" (unadditized) is basically the same depending on what EPA region your in. The difference is what additives are injected into it that distinguishes the difference, we have 6 different additives here and some have up to 10. Gas terminals not refineries inject the additive. A 7-11 has a different additive than say BP, the base gas is the same and comes from the same terminals. Additive can cost 4 to 18 $ per gallon. I cant tell you the injection ratios for any gas here but the stuff you buy at the parts store is usuall has a .025cc of (pure) additive per bottle. Now there is some good money in selling that bottled stuff. Even the cheapest additive injected at a terminal is far superior to the bottled stuff. I posted a while back the difference between gas brands, majors and non majors. Just dont know where on the forum.
Crossbow...the problem is the general plublic only is told what the government and oil companies want you to know. You are in the dark 90% of the time and left to hear rumors and half truths which over time people take as truth and facts. This is not your fault nor anyone elses. Even the owners stations and small oil companies only know what limited info they are privy to.

Go48

Thanks Hac, that's the general info I was looking for. I'll do a search for your previous posting on the topic.

Rotario

Do you mean 4 to 18 cents per gallon? I assume that's what you meant, but it's not entirely clear from your previous post.

Thanks,
Bill

hac

No sir..that would be dollars per gallon.

rx8cited

Here -> https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-tech-garage-22/type-gas-octane-company-varies-performance-greatly-20976/

crossbow

Hac,

Have you ever investigated fuel power by lube control? http://www.lubecontrol.com

Its got some pretty decent backings through UOA's. One of the rare additives that actually treats the fuel instead of just cleaning the system.

http://theoildrop.server101.com/ubb/...?ubb=forum;f=5

Searching for FP or Fuel Power in that forum will bring up a few hundred threads. Just curious if you've seen it before, thoughts, yadda yadda.

Brice-RX8

Well I put a bottle of STP Fuel Injector Cleaner in the tank and have run it through and the idle is a little smoother and that is about all I can tell if it did anything or not. Do you think that the cleaner will remove some of the carbon from the spark plugs if there is any? That is what fouls plugs anyway isn't it?