techron & V6 accord?

I've got two contradictory stories coming at me from two local dealers on
this. One says adding Techron won't "hurt"...the other says adding it will
only clog up the injectors WORSE.

Any thoughts from the group on this? FWIW, this issue came about when my V6
Accord's mileage dropped from about 22 to 19 with no change in driving
habits. This vehicle is a 2001 with 40K, V6.

Thanks to the group for any and all thoughts!

Mike Nassour

 

Coincidentally, just heard a plug for techron this past weekend on 'click
and clack'. Their recommendation for someone with a stuttering vw was to
try an injector cleaner, and the name techron was mentioned. Which is not
to say that it would also be appropriate for your Accord, but....

YMMV
a

 

Never heard of Techron hurting anything, but it may not help either. If
your injectors are already severly clogged up with dirt, none of those
over-the-counter-dump-me-in-the-tank fuel additives will fix it.
Professional cleaning is in order.

These fuel additives should only be used for very lightly soiled fuel
systems, mainly as preventative maintenance.

Cheers,

Pete

 

Forget additivies. Never ever use em! Manuals clearly say they are NOT
recommended!

Instead of wasting money on them, just go get a tune-up and add some air to the
tires.





"If life were like a box of chocolates, everyone would be black and expire in 2
years."

 

Just to make sure: are you talking about the Techron additive or Chevron gas
(which supposedly has the Techron additive?) If your mileage suddenly
dropped it could be due to cold weather or something other than an additive.
It is possible that the additive loosened up a piece of crud but that would
probably have other obvious performance symptoms. Personally, I stick with
Chevron or Union76 for gas, always fill the tank and avoid additives.

 

It won't hurt the injectors. There are side effects, though. Using
additives too often can damage emissions equipment and contaminate the
motor oil.

22 to 19 is no big deal. I could be from a change in weather, driving
habits, or gasoline formulation.

 

I don't see how Techron is going to clog up the injectors worse. Where
would the solids come from?... not the fuel tank since any would be stopped
by the fuel filter. Personally I think it's a good idea to add some fuel
injector cleaner a couple of times a year - once at start of winter and
then again at start of Summer. It can remove any lacqering of the injector
valving due to heat soak effects.

Apart from the same comment as from others about weather - Winter driving
does use more gas - was the air filter changed at 30K miles? I am also
wary about the current Honda recommendation of only checking the valve
clearances at 105K miles, unless noisy - might be worth getting a valve
check.

Rgds, George Macdonald

"Just because they're paranoid doesn't mean you're not psychotic" - Who, me??

 

Was there a change of season or gasoline formulation? In many regions more
highly oxygenated fuel is used in the winter than in the summer, which can
result in some degradation of fuel economy.

Also, check for any dragging brakes by spinning wheels by hand with the car
up and everything in neutral. One sticky caliper could account for such a
change.

Same deal for tire pressures. If one of your tires is really soft it can
drag down fuel economy.

Engine exhaust gas testing pre and post catalytic converter by a tech who
really knows what they are doing should tell you if there are engine
performance problems (including clogged injectors) causing the perceived
fuel economy reduction.

John

 

\
Well, the Accord's manual doesn't...I checked it cover to cover today and
didn't find a word about it. OTOH, I've had the owners of two previous gen.
Accords go through the professional cleaning and be happy w/the results.

 

Yes, let me clarify. My normal gas is Chevron or Exxon. My local Japanese
car specialist (who hasn't steered me wrong yet, NOT the dealer) says
there's not enough detergent in either of them to make much difference,
hence his suggestion to run over the counter Techron additive in two
successive tanks.

 

Yes George, we did to the air filter at 30K and it appears to be good right
now. And we've had cold (about freezing) weather here before without a 10%
drop in gas mileage, though these last couple of weeks have been at or about
50 on a daily basis, for the first time this season.

 

Our daily temp has dropped from about 70 to about 50 for the first time this
year, tire pressures are at 30.

I'm sure going to check for a dragging brake...and as a last resort do the
testing if things don't improve post-Techron.

Thanks !

 

I agree with George on that point. Also, as far as fuel injector
cleaners go, Techron seems to be about the only kind that has
something in it besides the usual Stoddard's Solven/mineral spirits.

I second the motion...

Also, you might try a shot of isopropanol in the gas in case fuel flow
is being hampered by some stray condensation freezing and getting
caught in the fuel pump intake.

 

Our daily temp has dropped from about 70 to about 50 for the first time
this

Generally mid 50s temps are something a car really likes. Nice cool dense
air is good for combustion. I wonder about the fuel in your area. You
might be able to find someone at whoever regulates air quality in your area
who can tell you if and when gas stations switch from summer to winter
blends.

John

 

My local Acura dealer told me to use it in when the engine idle started
getting "lumpy" on my 2000 TL. I would agree with your dealer though that
it is not going to solve a drop in mileage.

 

I found some 3M stuff once which had additional cleaners/detergents - not
many auto parts places seem to carry it though. Then again, around that
time someone posted here about trouble with some FI cleaners which would
partially dissolve the nylon strainer "sock" in the fuel tank and the 3M
stuff had an amide in it.

Rgds, George Macdonald

"Just because they're paranoid doesn't mean you're not psychotic" - Who, me??

 

I believe Red Line SI-1 is an ester-based cleaner as is Schaeffer Oil
Neutra 131.

www.redlineoil.com

http://www.schaefferoil.com/data/131.html

I can personally attest to Red Line's effectiveness in a number of
cars ... including Hondas. It's also easier to find being available at
Pep Boys and other outlets for about $5 for a 12oz. bottle.

Good cleaner additives are only unnecesary in a perfect world with
100% fresh, uncontaminated fuel. Not realistic for most of us.

I agree again. Cheap preventative maintenance at $1 per bottle. Avoid
methyl alcohol/methanol.

--- Bror Jace

 

And the VW service manual for my Fox specifically states to use "Autobahn"
additive (which IS Techron).

 

And the VW service manual for my Fox specifically states to use "Autobahn"

That's because VW is pure crap!




"If life were like a box of chocolates, everyone would be black and expire in 2
years."

 

Whatever... I'm just pointing out that you are, as usual, wrong.