Fuel System Additive...?

rb325i · 12-26-2015, 09:08 PM

....have a 2006 325i and am asking for inputs to how often, how much and what brand of additive should be used to optimize the fuel system. There is the "Additech" or the like that I can buy at the pump (Walmart gas in SE)..and I'm sure there are some that never add anything but I would like as many opinions as possible so thanks in advance.

BTW replacing my tank pump solved my cold start problem. Ordered pump from FCPEuro ($188 free shipping) and had my local Euro shop (not dealer) do the install.

Also, inputs appreciated about fuel filter service ....

Thanks in advance to all and I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas!

Seattlesquash · 12-26-2015, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rb325i

....have a 2006 325i and am asking for inputs to how often, how much and what brand of additive should be used to optimize the fuel system. There is the "Additech" or the like that I can buy at the pump (Walmart gas in SE)..and I'm sure there are some that never add anything but I would like as many opinions as possible so thanks in advance.

BTW replacing my tank pump solved my cold start problem. Ordered pump from FCPEuro ($188 free shipping) and had my local Euro shop (not dealer) do the install.

Also, inputs appreciated about fuel filter service ....

Thanks in advance to all and I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas!

I like the LUCAS fuel cleaner, it might not be as strong as some but also not harmful with over-use and I use it 3-4 times a year at least and cars run very well, and so is mpg, especially given their age/mileage.

fazman · 12-26-2015, 09:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rb325i

....have a 2006 325i and am asking for inputs to how often, how much and what brand of additive should be used to optimize the fuel system. There is the "Additech" or the like that I can buy at the pump (Walmart gas in SE)..and I'm sure there are some that never add anything but I would like as many opinions as possible so thanks in advance.

BTW replacing my tank pump solved my cold start problem. Ordered pump from FCPEuro ($188 free shipping) and had my local Euro shop (not dealer) do the install.

Also, inputs appreciated about fuel filter service ....

Thanks in advance to all and I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas!

you really shouldn't need it as long as you are using premium octane from a TopTier gas station... they already include additive packs over the base fuel that everyone in your region gets.

if you are really aching for an additive, buy a jug of Seafoam from AAP using a coupon code like:
TFT41
TRT41

Seattlesquash · 12-26-2015, 09:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fazman

Quote:

Originally Posted by rb325i

....have a 2006 325i and am asking for inputs to how often, how much and what brand of additive should be used to optimize the fuel system. There is the "Additech" or the like that I can buy at the pump (Walmart gas in SE)..and I'm sure there are some that never add anything but I would like as many opinions as possible so thanks in advance.

BTW replacing my tank pump solved my cold start problem. Ordered pump from FCPEuro ($188 free shipping) and had my local Euro shop (not dealer) do the install.

Also, inputs appreciated about fuel filter service ....

Thanks in advance to all and I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas!

you really shouldn't need it as long as you are using premium octane from a TopTier gas station... they already include additive packs over the base fuel that everyone in your region gets.

if you are really aching for an additive, buy a jug of Seafoam from AAP using a coupon code like:
TFT41
TRT41

I agree but have seen a small difference in carbon-buildup. My Audi is a beast on carbon buildup. But yes, agree with you on being picky on quality of fuel (93+ us or 98 euro), I only do Shell or Chevron here in the US so I am a gas snob like yourself.

NOITALL · 12-26-2015, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seattlesquash

I agree but have seen a small difference in carbon-buildup. My Audi is a beast on carbon buildup. But yes, agree with you on being picky on quality of fuel (93+ us or 98 euro), I only do Shell or Chevron here in the US so I am a gas snob like yourself.

How would using a fuel additive diminish carbon build up in your Audi? It wouldn't.

Seattlesquash · 12-26-2015, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by I'm wrong

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seattlesquash

I agree but have seen a small difference in carbon-buildup. My Audi is a beast on carbon buildup. But yes, agree with you on being picky on quality of fuel (93+ us or 98 euro), I only do Shell or Chevron here in the US so I am a gas snob like yourself.

How would using a fuel additive diminish carbon build up in your Audi? It wouldn't.

I still do the carbon cleaning every 20k on the RS4, but it helps a bit with smooth running/mpg economy, buildup on injectors, not saying it's solving the problem. My feel is that the 335 has light carbon issues compared to the RS4, so by no means saying problem is resolved through fuel cleaning, but for the money it's a cheap "investment" compared to $ associated with intake off/cleaning all the valves and/or or sea-foam/WN blasting.

fazman · 12-26-2015, 10:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seattlesquash

I agree but have seen a small difference in carbon-buildup. My Audi is a beast on carbon buildup. But yes, agree with you on being picky on quality of fuel (93+ us or 98 euro), I only do Shell or Chevron here in the US so I am a gas snob like yourself.

gone are the days of fuel additives helping with carbon build up, with all direct injection cars... the fuel never hits the intake valves. the only way to clean it is with good old carbon blasting with walnut shells.

Seattlesquash · 12-26-2015, 10:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fazman

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seattlesquash

I agree but have seen a small difference in carbon-buildup. My Audi is a beast on carbon buildup. But yes, agree with you on being picky on quality of fuel (93+ us or 98 euro), I only do Shell or Chevron here in the US so I am a gas snob like yourself.

gone are the days of fuel additives helping with carbon build up, with all direct injection cars... the fuel never hits the intake valves. the only way to clean it is with good old carbon blasting with walnut shells.

Yes sir, agree! And runs like a bitch if you don't! I usually prefer do the walnut blasting every year/other year or manual scraping/sea foam combo.

AaronZ34 · 12-27-2015, 12:53 AM

I like E85.

Efthreeoh · 12-27-2015, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fazman

gone are the days of fuel additives helping with carbon build up, with all direct injection cars... the fuel never hits the intake valves. the only way to clean it is with good old carbon blasting with walnut shells.

OP's car has an N52, which is not direct injected.

Efthreeoh · 12-27-2015, 08:55 AM

OP, I've got 293K on my 325i. I've never used a drop of fuel additive until last week when I got a free bottle of Lucas cleaner from the auto parts store. I've since run that tank of gas through. Didn't notice any difference. I've only run Shell, Exxon, or BP in the car since it was new.

My 2 cents.

wilbur_the_goose · 12-27-2015, 08:58 AM

What about Chevron Techron?

Air Drop · 12-27-2015, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wilbur_the_goose

What about Chevron Techron?

I run a bottle of Chevron Techron concentrate every few gas fills. Is it a waste? I have no data to say yes or no...it does make me feel better though.

BSM n54iS · 12-27-2015, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wilbur_the_goose

What about Chevron Techron?

BMW fuel system cleaner is Techron, helps fuel injectors if you have run less than premium gas..does nothing for intake valves

justpete · 12-27-2015, 08:38 PM

Red Line Fuel System Cleaner works well for me, fwiw.

beto17 · 12-27-2015, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rb325i

....have a 2006 325i and am asking for inputs to how often, how much and what brand of additive should be used to optimize the fuel system. There is the "Additech" or the like that I can buy at the pump (Walmart gas in SE)..and I'm sure there are some that never add anything but I would like as many opinions as possible so thanks in advance.

BTW replacing my tank pump solved my cold start problem. Ordered pump from FCPEuro ($188 free shipping) and had my local Euro shop (not dealer) do the install.

Also, inputs appreciated about fuel filter service ....

Thanks in advance to all and I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas!

Dont use any addictive..... always use premium gas 93+ and dont let your fuel tank go lower that 1/4 and you should be ok

My $.2cents

Cory S · 12-27-2015, 09:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beto17

Dont use any addictive..... always use premium gas 93+ and dont let your fuel tank go lower that 1/4 and you should be ok

My $.2cents

^^^THIS....

With Fuel injection/DI, closed circuit fuel systems do not get dirty.....The fuel is filtered about 3 times before it even reaches the injectors.

Save your money.

fazman · 12-28-2015, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

OP's car has an N52, which is not direct injected.

My bad... I thought all the e9x's were Direct Injection?

fazman · 12-28-2015, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Air Drop

I run a bottle of Chevron Techron concentrate every few gas fills. Is it a waste? I have no data to say yes or no...it does make me feel better though.

Your data points should be your average MPG in the fill ups before the treatment compared to the average MPG after the treatment

fazman · 12-28-2015, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seattlesquash

Yes sir, agree! And runs like a bitch if you don't! I usually prefer do the walnut blasting every year/other year or manual scraping/sea foam combo.

You are a dedicated man... I have only done carbon blasting twice (every ~50k miles).

gunnerxq · 12-28-2015, 11:29 AM

Question: What if I replaced the all the gasoline with Chevron Techron? I don't have direct injection and yeah I know that would be ridiculously expensive.

fazman · 12-28-2015, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gunnerxq

Question: What if I replaced the all the gasoline with Chevron Techron? I don't have direct injection and yeah I know that would be ridiculously expensive.

What do you mean "replaced ALL the gasoline with Chevron Techron"?

Do you mean you went to a Chevron gas station and fill up a tank of the premium gas?

OR

Do you mean you go to the store and buy multiple bottles of just the additive and fill up the gas tank with no gas (but 100% of just additive, please don't do this because it is so just wrong)? Please read the additive bottle usage/directions if you mean this... because as far as I understand... you just need to put in one bottle of concentrated additive mixed with your usual pump gas full tank of fuel.

Please keep in mind that there are TWO types of Chevron fuel cleaner... the better one is the 20oz CONCENTRATED fuel cleaner that you can get on Amazon.

12-26-2015, 09:08 PM	#1
rb325i New Member 1 Rep 11 Posts Drives: 2006 325i Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Alabama iTrader: (0)	Fuel System Additive...? ....have a 2006 325i and am asking for inputs to how often, how much and what brand of additive should be used to optimize the fuel system. There is the "Additech" or the like that I can buy at the pump (Walmart gas in SE)..and I'm sure there are some that never add anything but I would like as many opinions as possible so thanks in advance. BTW replacing my tank pump solved my cold start problem. Ordered pump from FCPEuro ($188 free shipping) and had my local Euro shop (not dealer) do the install. Also, inputs appreciated about fuel filter service .... Thanks in advance to all and I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas!
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12-27-2015, 12:53 AM	#9
AaronZ34 Banned 54 Rep 102 Posts Drives: 2013 335is Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Colorado iTrader: (0)	I like E85.
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12-27-2015, 08:55 AM	#11
Efthreeoh General 17377 Rep 18,773 Posts Drives: The E90 + Z4 Coupe & Z3 R'ster Join Date: May 2012 Location: Virginia iTrader: (0)	OP, I've got 293K on my 325i. I've never used a drop of fuel additive until last week when I got a free bottle of Lucas cleaner from the auto parts store. I've since run that tank of gas through. Didn't notice any difference. I've only run Shell, Exxon, or BP in the car since it was new. My 2 cents. __________________ A manual transmission can be set to "comfort", "sport", and "track" modes simply by the technique and speed at which you shift it; it doesn't need "modes", modes are for manumatics that try to behave like a real 3-pedal manual transmission. If you can money-shift it, it's a manual transmission. "Yeah, but NO ONE puts an automatic trans shift knob on a manual transmission." Last edited by Efthreeoh; 12-27-2015 at 01:05 PM..
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12-27-2015, 08:58 AM	#12
wilbur_the_goose Major 353 Rep 1,245 Posts Drives: 2018 330ix Gran Turismo Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Metro Philly iTrader: (0)	What about Chevron Techron?
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12-27-2015, 08:38 PM	#15
justpete Brigadier General 1233 Rep 3,778 Posts Drives: '11 328i '19 M6 Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: DFW iTrader: (0) Garage List 2019 BMW M6 [10.00] 2011 BMW 328i [9.00]	Red Line Fuel System Cleaner works well for me, fwiw. __________________ 2011 E90 328i 6MT, BMW Aero, CF hood/boot, PI+CAI+RM+3IM+BPC, SS+CI528+ThermoTec+SS#1+2XBurns, AKG 75D eng/trans, Al/Delrin diff/RS, CM 850, UCP, CAE, AKG DSSR, DiffsOnline 3.91 30/90 LSD+BW cooler, C&R, Setrab, Accusump, AST 3-way+Swift, Aurora PR+BW spherical, Vorshlag CPs, M3 brace+UR bar, ARC-8 18x8.5, 255 R1R, RB/CSL rotors+cooling, 135i calipers, RS29, RT700, Safecraft, OMP HTE-R+804F+QD Superquadro, 6pt cage+FIA, Braille, RT DL1Mk3
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12-28-2015, 11:29 AM	#21
gunnerxq Lieutenant Colonel 213 Rep 1,782 Posts Drives: e90 "325i" Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: New York iTrader: (1)	Question: What if I replaced the all the gasoline with Chevron Techron? I don't have direct injection and yeah I know that would be ridiculously expensive.
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