11 replies to this topic

[finch661]

has anyone used fuel treatments and found that they actually work?
i have been reading up on things like redex, STP fuel treatment, castrol Valvemaster and Wynns Superpremium (all at Halfrauds). some boast better mpg, decreased road noise and can clean the engine out. I know some clubs swear by the castrol stuff.

any thoughts?

[91neon]

i use redex in a mini a bottle does 3 tanks it does work i find i get 25 miles a tank more but more importantly my car runs much better on it less lumpy and its cleaning it as i go win win win

[Sutty01]

i used redex straight down the filter hole while the revs are being help about 2k rpm , the smoke that came from the exhaust was mad ! all that carbon gone and the engine did feel better after i recomend

[finch661]

i used STP at one point, never noticed any difference in the engine, i havent used redex in years. i will have a go and see what happens

[Heather&Henrietta]

I use something like Redex Have been told by members at the Mini Club that I don't need to, but I do anyway, my uncle knows a lot about Minis and engine's as he used to have one!

I use 25ml for every tank I buy

Certainly notice a better performance of the engine, sounds better, and works best when used with the premium unleaded!

Edited by Heather&Henrietta, 17 June 2009 - 10:03 AM.

[dannoodle]

it depends what "treatment" you are after! Valve master is a lead replacement additive (which I use as recommended by Bill Richards), you can also get it with an added octane boost ingredient, which is great, BUT utterly useless if your CR is low and your dizzy curve is not set up for it. As for the cleaners, hmm, im not convinced! Why don't you justy do proper maintenance on the car (clean the head, lap in valve seats, clean the carb etc once a year)

[finch661]

hmm i think the vlavemaster may be ideal for my 76 mg midget, and well i guess nout for the mini. its amazing how many people swear by redex, yet i have heard of many mechanics saying that it actually causes more problems than it solves

[Heather&Henrietta]

Redex itself wrecked my fuel pump


So went to a different brand that does the same, no problems so far

[finch661]

what are you using now?

[Heather&Henrietta]

Can't remember what it's called, it's in the garage at home, will check later and report back

[finch661]

thanks very much

[Retro_10s]

Use additives if you need to - Castrol Valvemaster has the best reputation and has undergone many tests by clubs and institutions a like - each time the Valvemaster has come through on top.

If you're car's set-up without these additives - don't use them - there's no need.

And whilst Redex does remove some coke - Most of the smoke you see is just the Redex being burnt off rather than the carbon build up it claims to remove - A wire brush can struggle to get all the deposits off a head so burning a little oil on it isn't going to do a fat lot.

If you want to run the best fuel etc and really feel the difference when driving you need to do the following:

1.) Run a fuel such as BP-ultimate or Shell V-power and always run that fuel - nothing else.
2.) Get the car set-up properly running this hi-grade fuel. There is no benefit running a car on a fuel that's it's not taking advantage of due to incorrect tuning.
3.) Only run Valvemaster or other additives if you Need to. If you're head's been converted to run unleaded - don't use additives.

And lastly - there no better gain available for removing deposits than to take the head off the block and cleaning/de-coking it properly - It's the only way to really do the job well. And the results will last a lot longer than any 'cleansing' additive can possibly compete with.