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AH 3000 fuel and transmission additives

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davidb

davidb

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Was speaking with a buddy of mine recently who used a product called SeaFoam in his gas tank and is pleased with his SUV running a lot better. So I considered maybe trying some in the Healey and the Triumph, as I don't drive them as often as I would like, since we only have two seasons up here in the Great White North - July and Winter. In any case, has anyone tried this stuff? I use the usual additives, like ZDDP for the motor (which seems to run quieter since I lost my hearing aid), octane boost, etc., and got to thinking about what other people might be using in their machines, and what to avoid. Maybe this topic has already been covered to death, but I'm old and can get cranky, so indulge me.

Any thoughts?

cheers

DB
 
I use premium Chevron exclusively. All grades of Chevron have techron in it. The other day I added a 20oz bottle of Techron just to see if it made a difference. I was surprise to say, the car ran even better within that tank full.
Maybe someone here can explain why.
 
AUSMHLY said:
I use premium Chevron exclusively. All grades of Chevron have techron in it. The other day I added a 20oz bottle of Techron just to see if it made a difference. I was surprise to say, the car ran even better within that tank full.
Maybe someone here can explain why.
Click to expand...

Very interesting,since Techron is a fuel cleaner specifically designed for modern fuel injected cars.???
 
AUSMHLY said:
I use premium Chevron exclusively. All grades of Chevron have techron in it. The other day I added a 20oz bottle of Techron just to see if it made a difference. I was surprise to say, the car ran even better within that tank full.
Maybe someone here can explain why.
Click to expand...

Hate to say it, but it's probably placebo effect. Note I've been a sucker for all manner of additives in the past--have to confess I even tried Slick50 once--but now I'm a firm believer in a) buy good gas and b) buy good oil and c) add nothing. As Keoke mentioned, Techron, V-Power (Shell) and other fuel additives are detergents whose purpose is to keep fuel injector ports clean and maybe clean some of the gunk on the backside of intake valves (the latter might be useful in our old carburetted cars). If you think the Techron made a difference it MIGHT be because you had some buildup on the backside of the intake valves that it removed, but it likely would have taken several tankfuls with the additive, and since you use Chevron premium anyway I doubt you had that problem. FWIW, I have put many miles all over the western US and Canada on my BJ8 and have used many brands of fuel and have not noticed any difference in performance or drivability.

Note, ironically perhaps, that some cars with direct injection--notably some Audis--are having problems with crud buildup in the intake manifold because the fuel is squirted directly into the cylinders thus not giving the additives a chance to do their job. Also, the owner's manual for my Mustang specifically states not to add anything to the fuel; and implies that it could invalidate the warranty. All modern fuels have an adequate amount of detergent, and the so-called 'Top Tier' brands presumably have a bit more.
 
What I can tell you about SeaFoam. It was recommended to me to use in an outboard four stoke motor. Motor would crank well and rev up but no power. After I used the SeaFoam, engine ran well for a few mintes and started missing very badly. I took the boat to dealer, his mechanics said the SeaFoam loosened the ethanol varnish inside the fuel bowl and let it go straight to the injectors. Cost me over a grand to fix.
Marv
 
I have used Seafoam in a number of situations where I have let engines sit for way too long with fuel that has turned to varnish. It dissolves the varnish and once you get the motor started.... the engine pops and sputters .. and within a few minutes...... and one case about 20 minutes..... the engine finally begins to run properly as it should as the old fuel is burned up. I did this to a generator that I had sat for years. After adding SeaFoan and getting it started with starting fluid, the exhaust smelled like varnish for about 10 mintues.

Marvin, I think you got hoodwinked by the shop that charged you "over a grand to fix" it. SeaFoam also works as an injection cleaner.
 
Hi All,

Although I have tried Seafoam in my Healey fuel, since I use High Octane fuels (by compression) that usually advertise additives and take a short drive at least every 2 weeks (if possible) all year, the fuel system should be reasonably clean. A friend gave me a bottle of led additive a few years ago and have only added it twice since. The only real benefit I can attribute to an additive was from one that actually brought my '99 Acura TL transmission back from the DEAD a year ago.

Synthetic 20W50 Racing and Redline transmission oils, High Octane fuel and silicon brake fluid... no need to add. Although I may not use gas or oil additives for any of my cars, on occasion changing the chemistry can help and, although I do listen to the advertising claims with a skeptical ear, I do listen.

Ray(64BJ8P1)
 
I've heard good things about Joe Gibbs "Defender" additive and BCS uses it so I'm ordering some today from Gibbs. Google it and see what you think.
 
FWIW, I have put many miles all over the western US and Canada on my BJ8 and have used many brands of fuel and have not noticed any difference in performance or drivability.

ME TOO!! Bob,
But just wait til you load up some 98 Octane leaded fuel, :highly_amused:
 
Keoke said:
FWIW, I have put many miles all over the western US and Canada on my BJ8 and have used many brands of fuel and have not noticed any difference in performance or drivability.

ME TOO!! Bob,
But just wait til you load up some 98 Octane leaded fuel, :highly_amused:
Click to expand...

I've used 100LL aviation fuel in the BJ8 and didn't notice a difference. Unless the engine has high compression and is tuned for it it's a waste of TEL (although it does help preserve non-hardened exhaust valves).
 
I have been using ethanol free fuel whenever I can get it. My car seems to run smoother when I have a tankful.
The added alcohol in normal fuel cannot be doing our fuel systems any good, especially when it is being stored.
Alcohol attracts water. Water starts the rusting process.
I am not a chemist but doesn't alcohol have less energy when burned than gasoline ? I like the 100 % real gasoline.
Here is a link to all of the Ethanol free gas stations in the US and Canada. Why not try a tankful and see what you think.
https://pure-gas.org/
Ed
 
Yeah BOB:
I used 110 av gas cut back to 98 octane with regular got the formula from an old
racer down in Plano Texas. He use to write regularly for Reid's magazine.
However, the results were not that good.
Union 76, 98 octane leaded was a good upgrade for me.
However, it was costly @ $5.00/Gal.:greedy_dollars:

Other than that I was not an additive promoter.,just a waste of money IMOP.:peaceful:
MY engine and tranny ran Valvoline racing oil no additives required.
 
Hi Keoke,

Since this thread was also about transmission additives, I should tell everyone about how well my Overdrive has been working since you recommended that I use 60 weight Valvoline VR1 several years ago. It was very good advice !
My local British Car mechanic says that my overdrive is the smoothest working unit that he has ever driven in any LBC that he has worked on. I have not had any further trouble staying in overdrive since I made the switch to 60 W
VR1.
Thanks !
Ed
 
HI ED _K:
I agree original leaded fuel is great.
By the way "U" all dried out down there??
 
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