BG44K fuel Additive in my GSA?

[MerrickCampbell]

I have put a can of this in my car. I was taken in by what i read about it:

cleans dirty or clogged Fuel Injectors

cleans carbon deposits on intake components, valves or combustion chambers

cleans deposits on the oxygen sensor

plus more

So it got me reading what I could about it and it seems in the US using this at annual service is quite common practise. Here in the UK the main dealers dismiss the idea (they have a strict no additives policy) as they it is implied would rather carry out expensive repairs! Iread somewhere that VW/Audi had changed thier view on this and actually sold the BG44K product but labelled VW.

so my questions are : any opinions will be welcomed; is the use of this sort of stuff gaining popularity in the UK; should i put it in the 1200 GSA.

thanks

 

[littleredrooster]

If you had dirty or clogged injectors, you would have a huge misfire, deadful fuel consumption, strong smell of unburnt petrol and poor starting.

If you had excess carbon deposits on 'intake components', valves or combustion chambers, you would have poor performance, poor fuel consumption and it would pink its brains out.

If you had deposits on your oxygen sensor, it wouldn't tick over properly and would 'hunt' at low speed.

Do you have any of the above? If so, stick some of this into the fuel. If not, spend the money on another tankful of fuel and enjoy!

 

[nevil.jackson]

I use BG44K in my petrol car and the diesel version in the other. Brilliant stuff and nothing else comes anywhere close. Having said that, I am very wary of putting it in the GSA and I would half expect it to play havoc with the fuel strip and sensors. Not sure if you've heard of it yet but there's a new kid on the block for oil additives etc. It's called CLS Bond Motor Silk. All the science looks good and they gave me some FREE oil additive and fuel additive to 'trial' in my diesel car. The average mpg in the diesel car has increased from 61 to 68, so I'm well impressed and have purchased more engine oil additive, gear oil additive and fuel additive for my GSA and also my Wife and Sisters cars. My Wife's car has already increased it's average mpg from 37 to 44. Have yet to do the bike and Sisters car but see no reason why the benefits will not be replicated. Obviously it's each to their own, so I'll let y'all google it for yourselves at tradingresources.co.uk and you can make your own minds up.

 

[Brian ROSEN]

I am one of these old fashioned riders who hesitates ( no, refuses) to go against manufacturer's recommendations - so no fuel additive in bikes or cars; I wasted a lot of money on Redex - a long time ago!;

 

[littleredrooster]

.....All the science looks good ....

Some of the science sounds shite.
".....diamond-like protective surface with a friction coefficient under 0.01%...."
Coefficient of friction (mu) is dimensionless, which is why it is called a coefficient. It can't be a percentage of anything. mu of 0.01 is better than wet ice, so excuse me if I have my doubts.......

 

[AberdeenAngus]

MY car failed its emmissions test a couple of years back. Mechanic said probably Lambda sensor. It has two O2 sensors at about £50 a pop.

Guy in the garage suggested a couple bottles of Redex and a good thrash. An hour later passed - no problem.

I don't think it's worth putting these 'mouse milks' in the tank as a preventative but as a quick & cheap first fix for fuel problems, they can be suprisingly effective.

 

[Snurge]

I use BG44K in my petrol car and the diesel version in the other. Brilliant stuff and nothing else comes anywhere close. Having said that, I am very wary of putting it in the GSA and I would half expect it to play havoc with the fuel strip and sensors. Not sure if you've heard of it yet but there's a new kid on the block for oil additives etc. It's called CLS Bond Motor Silk. All the science looks good and they gave me some FREE oil additive and fuel additive to 'trial' in my diesel car. The average mpg in the diesel car has increased from 61 to 68, so I'm well impressed and have purchased more engine oil additive, gear oil additive and fuel additive for my GSA and also my Wife and Sisters cars. My Wife's car has already increased it's average mpg from 37 to 44. Have yet to do the bike and Sisters car but see no reason why the benefits will not be replicated. Obviously it's each to their own, so I'll let y'all google it for yourselves at tradingresources.co.uk and you can make your own minds up.

Blimey! You certainly do your homework! I bet the hours just fly by in your house....

 

[nevil.jackson]

Some of the science sounds shite.
".....diamond-like protective surface with a friction coefficient under 0.01%...."
Coefficient of friction (mu) is dimensionless, which is why it is called a coefficient. It can't be a percentage of anything. mu of 0.01 is better than wet ice, so excuse me if I have my doubts.......

From my limited knowledge of science, I still say it looks good but do accept that this could be all sales talk, like any other retail product. However, when you're given the stuff free of charge to trial it and it is proven over a three month average against pre application data, to give an increased MPG of 8% plus, it must be doing something positive. I've used it in three cars and my GSA and the MPG has increased in all of them and all with different drivers. Doubt if you want to, that's your choice but I've used it, seen the results and would recommend it to anyone.

 

[Steptoe]

Everyone raved about slick 50 , increasd mileage etc etc .

Then it turns out it fecks your engines and corrodes your exhausts from the inside out by producing a serious acid as a byproduct, amongst a list of other problems. Hence why the american CAA doesn't allow it's use in light aircraft, why they had to change their advertising, and dupont who manufacture teflon ( highly promoted as a slick aditive) advised against it's use in engines.

99% of additives are snake oil. I'd say 100% but i like to hedge my bets

 

[Brian ROSEN]

Is it worth it?

'...Doubt if you want to, that's your choice but I've used it, seen the results and would recommend it to anyone....' Ah, but you have not actually SEEN the results; Only by stripping the engine completely, including pump, injectors, filters etc; will you really know if you have simply polished them up or worn them down!

 

[(RIP) Miff]

Most garages use fuel additives as part of the service.

Mate bought a brand new Vauxhall Astra Turbo Diesel. First service (at 10k) was an engine flush, then an oil change. He argued that it would be better to change the oil AND the filter and "stuff your engine flush".

They wouldn't budge, arguing that the engine flush was better than a filter change???

Now I'm no car mechanic, but a 10,000 mile engine SHOULD NOT NEED A FLUSH. He doesn't use the main dealer any more.

Now I use MILLERS diesel additive in my cars. It DEFINITELY makes it easier to start.
Wether it improves MPG (would be nice) or reduces emmisions (couldn't care less) I don't know.


I've also used FORTE gas cleaner in my petrol, carb'd Kawasaki ZZR600. It DID improve the shitty carbs, but obviously, only a full strip and clean sorted them out properly. BUT it improved it from "virtually unrideable" to "manageable".


The garages buy this stuff in at approx £5 a bottle, and charge you £10-£15 for it.

 

[littleredrooster]

Most garages use fuel additives as part of the service.

No garages that I have ever come across use any kind of additives.

Mate bought a brand new Vauxhall Astra Turbo Diesel. First service (at 10k) was an engine flush, then an oil change. He argued that it would be better to change the oil AND the filter and "stuff your engine flush".

They wouldn't budge, arguing that the engine flush was better than a filter change???

Dealer is bullshitting. Never heard of such nonsense.

Now I use MILLERS diesel additive in my cars. It DEFINITELY makes it easier to start.

You must have an underlying fault, then. Diesels should start as easily as any other car. All of my diesels for the past 31 years have started impeccably.

Wether it improves MPG (would be nice) or reduces emmisions (couldn't care less) I don't know.

So, remind me - what are you paying for?

The garages buy this stuff in at approx £5 a bottle, and charge you £10-£15 for it.

Sounds about right. I wouldn't touch the stuff. Snake oil.

 

[Brian ROSEN]

Brain washed?

"...Now I use MILLERS diesel additive in my cars. It DEFINITELY makes it easier to start." Most motorists in France buy diesels because it is MUCH cheaper in terms of mpg ( or litres per 100 kms here.) Also, even on a cold morning, they will start instantly. Whatever additives are required are put in to the fuel by the oil companies. We seem to be getting off topic a little, but the fact remains that an enormous amount of research is done by the oil companies to ENSURE that we do not need any more additives to make our engines start and run smoothly and cleanly. Don't therefore throw your money away.

 

[nevil.jackson]

'...Doubt if you want to, that's your choice but I've used it, seen the results and would recommend it to anyone....' Ah, but you have not actually SEEN the results; Only by stripping the engine completely, including pump, injectors, filters etc; will you really know if you have simply polished them up or worn them down!

The original car I trialled it in was a two year old, 24k ford diesel. The second car was a 74k Citroen petrol, the third a 56K Vauxhall petrol and the GSA is two years old and 10.5k and you reckon it's all down to polishing and/or induced wear. So anything except anything beneficial eh? How ever did we invent the wheel, learn to talk and make tools? I assume that as you probably haven't ever taken a light bulb to pieces to find out how it works, what adverse effects it might have etc etc etc, your house is in total darkness? I also assume your still on leaded petrol too given that unleaded was going to destroy all the seals in the engine? Boric acid, the basis of this product, reacts with the moisture created within the engine when it gets hot and cools down. It then creates a crystal lattice on the metalwork which inturn reduces friction/heat and creates a barrier against oxidisation/corrosion. I learnt of this particular product through my job. It was supplied free of charge to trial for three months (which gives some credibility to the faith in the product) and comes with a fully insured backing. I've personally tried Silk 50, Extralube, Activate 8, Molyslip and a few others and none of these have given the results I've received with this. I'm also aware of the legal action taken and upheld with some 'additives' claims of which stories are all availble on the internet. I did not find any legal action against this product for false claims which is pretty amazing since it originates from the USA and did not find any proven negatives either. I guess only time will tell on this one but then again, if these engines are still going after 200k, it must be down to something else :0)

 

[Brian ROSEN]

"...and you reckon it's all down to polishing and/or induced wear...." No, I don't know any more about it than you! I have taken a few engines apart COMPLETELY and measured wear - about 600 measurements usulally - and it may be that your manufacturers have also done that after 200K miles and it may be that they are 100% OK. I don't do enough miles in a year for the possible fuel saving to offset the bother. I have given up on saving the planet, convinced that the answzer lies in birth control and not switching off pilot lights, putting addirives in fuel or switching to solar power.
Its over 30° outside now and there is an ENORMOUS amount of heat/energy going to waste. Before tyhe planet expires iIhave every confidence that someone will find a way of using that. Have I gone off topic, Sorry, it must be the heat!