Gunmout Fuel System Cleaner

[Where's my car?]

I was just wondering if i should get this done? it is a Gumout Professional Fuel System Cleaner which supposedly removes deposits on the fuel injectors, intake valves and combustion chambers. It is some 2 step fuel system cleaning.

Just wondering if I should do it, any drawbacks? thanks

[Lil bastard]

Personally, I wouldn't use it. It's primary ingredient is Petroleum Distillate JP5 (Jet Fuel 5) which is essentially massaged Kerosene.

It wouldn't do any harm, but not a lot of bang for the buck, unless the parts are soaked in kerosene for a period of time, there are better, faster acting solvents out there.

Whether or not you actually need it depends on your driving style, frequency, brand of fuel used, etc. Spending the same money on extra fuel and taking her out for a run will probably accomplish the same thing, with the added enjoyment of seat time.

The gas today is really good and unless you store the car or drive VERY infrequently (fill-ups only every 6-mos.) you really don't need it. I don't add a thing to any of our daily drivers because the fuel itself with all it's additives, does the job.

My car gets stored every winter - long enough for varnishes to form from the gas and potentially clog injectors, so every spring, I add a can of Lubromoly Jectron which targets the injectoprs specifically but also dissolves varnish. For valves, I would choose Lobro-moly Sauber. I think together they're cheaper than the Gumout and probably more effective.

Lots of people swear by lots of these products, but very few are really effective and many are just repackaged, and up-priced, common chemicals.

[blinkwatt]

+2 on the Jectron

My Dad and I have used them on our M96 engines and haven't had 1 slight mishap.

Is using 1 can of Jectron every 6 months o.k.? My car isn't stored. It doesn't require an oil change after using it correct?


This is the other Lubro Moly product you are referring to correct?
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[Benny986]

i use jectron and redline si-1. both are great.

What I have read, recommends changing the oil after using a fuel injector cleaner. The Chevron product with Techron is Porsche approved.

Go read the Charles Navarro (spelling??) post that "Paul" put up a few weeks ago. In there, near the back page, they talk about fuel cleaners and changing the oil afterwards.

[Brucelee]

I have had great experience with the techron additive in the bottle.

Cheap and easy. I believe it works.

[Lil bastard]

I dunno, never really looked into changing the oil after using such a cleaner.

Not that I'm against changing the oil at all, I go 7500 mi./annually.

But, I would think that there are enough VOCs in these types of cleaners that one good run at speed and operating temp would pretty much purge them from the system.

With an almost 10Qt. Oil System, I don't think there's any real danger. Fuel gets added to the oil all the time and is a very good solvent itself. If these things were much of a factor, I can't believe Porsche would be promoting such a long change interval as they are, or that we don't see even more engines doin' the nasty.

[lucky_topher]

is this similar to seafoam/GM Top End cleaner?

i've used both in various cars with great luck on high-mileage engines, but little-to-no gain in low-mid mileage cars.... used both in air intake/brake booster, not gas additive or oil additive

as for just a gas addititive, i prefer the lucas oil ones... as far as my reading goes it's the best to use..

[Where's my car?]

The Gunmout fuel system cleaner costs about 20 bucks at walmart and they do it for me. Normally i would agree on on just running good gas, but i live in southern California and our gas here is of the lowest quality compared to like new york. So yea im thinking about doing it.

[Lil bastard]

Originally Posted by lucky_topher

is this similar to seafoam/GM Top End cleaner?

i've used both in various cars with great luck on high-mileage engines, but little-to-no gain in low-mid mileage cars.... used both in air intake/brake booster, not gas additive or oil additive

as for just a gas addititive, i prefer the lucas oil ones... as far as my reading goes it's the best to use..

Yes, both the Gumout and Seafoam use Petroleum distillate (JP5) as their primary ingredient.

One issue with people's loyalties to these products is that they get an older engine which usually has lots of deposits. They select a product, any product really. And since there is such a buildup of deposits, they all work to a degree and make the engine smoother.

Now if that same person tries another product, but without deposit buid-up to the same degree as before, the effects are less dramatic and the person reasons that the 'new' product is less effective when in fact it wasn't an apples-to-apples comparison.

I have to admit being guilty in my choice of the Lubro-Moly products. I chose them and they work well. They are highly endorsed by several Porsche, BMW and MB sources and owners, so I've stuck with them.

But, in general, I'm not an advocate of engine additives. I've seen through the years that proper, timely maintenance pretty much alleviates the need for them. The only reason I use them at all is that I store the car for 6 mos. or more each year - enough time for varnishes to be released from the gas. I could drain/purge the fuel system before storage as an alternative, but it's too much work and doesn't offer the same degree of corrosion protection since the tank is vented and moist air can migrate inside and cause corrosion.