Fuel Additives
 

Do any of you use them? Do any of them actuallly work (e.g. Joe Gibbs Driven Carb Defender)? ..or are they all snake oil? (no pun intended).

What about other additives like Radiator or oil?

I used to put some StaBilt in my tank when adding fuel but I switched to Lucas Fuel Conditioner/Stablizer based on suggestions from this forum. Don't know how worthwhile it is because I've not had any real problems with phase shift or water formation. Maybe it's helping and maybe it isn't. I wish someone would come out with an additive to raise the vapor point or boiling point of today's fuel. I've about become convinced that it isn't so much the ethanol in fuel that is the real problem, as much as it's the low vapor point and fuel perculation.

I also use some Octane 130 octane booster in my 12:1 Corvette and my GTX to control pinging. It's real lead, illegal for street use, make your hair fall out and go blind stuff that is only available by mail order by the case and is very pricey. None of the stuff you buy over the counter is even close to it.

I believe in Dupont water pump lubrication additive for the cooling system.

Nothing for oil as long as a proper oil for flat tappet cams is used.


But, I'm not any more immune to snake oil remedies than anyone else.

How does the Lucas fuel additive compare to the Joe Gibbs Defender?

Unless the contents of the additive are listed AND a reputable party has objectively tested those materials, I'd be reluctant to believe most manufacturers claims. And the placebo effect being as strong as it is, I'm also reluctant to rely much on anecdotal claims by well intended friends and acquaintances. For example, I had a motorcycle engine smooth out while running a tank of gas spiked with Sea Foam through it. But I have no idea whether it was the Sea Foam or the tank of gas that made the difference.

I have been using Stabil for years for my cars and various other equipment and I've never had any issues.

I completely agree. Have there ever been unbiased tests run anywhere... like Consumer Reports or similar?

This is the only somewhat related info I could find on Consumer Reports:

Problem: The mower won’t start. Old gasoline that oxidized over the winter is often to blame. Try removing it and adding fresh fuel. Always add a stabilizer to gas before fueling; certain additives might also help keep ethanol from harming internal parts.

Related

The Environmental Protection Agency has approved gasoline with 15 percent ethanol for use in cars year 2001 or newer, yet it prohibits its use in mowers and other power equipment, stating it may cause damage. A Department of Energy study found that E15 caused hotter operating temperatures, erratic running, and engine-part failure. But even gas with the usual 10 percent ethanol (E10) could help destroy small engines.

"Ethanol has inherent properties that can cause corrosion of metal parts, including carburetors, degradation of plastic and rubber components, harder starting, and reduced engine life," says Marv Klowak, global vice president of research and development for Briggs & Stratton, the largest manufacturer of small engines. "The higher the ethanol content, the more acute the effects." Servicing dealers are reporting similar problems, even with E10, according to the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute, the industry's trade group.

The OPEI also claims that proposed warnings at pumps are insufficient and that customers will blame equipment makers should mowers and other outdoor gear fail from being accidentally fueled with E15 gasoline. Using gasoline with more than the usual 10-percent ethanol has long voided most small-engine warranties but, until recently, the chance of doing so has been minimal.

Fuel additives such as Sta-Bil are now claimed to protect engines from ethanol by preventing it from settling out of the gasoline, attracting moisture, and concentrating its corrosive effects; we have not yet tested those additives. Here are other ways to protect your equipment:

I run a bottle of Techron fuel injector cleaner throah all my gas vehicles about twice a year. I can't really say if it works or not, but I'v never had problems with clogged injectors.

Fuel additives are generally not effective to raise the octane level. There are some available for racing use. But unless you're drag racing and only need to treat a few gallons, it's usually not worth it. You're better of buying real race fuel.

I generally add a bottle of surfactant to the cooling systems on all my vehicles. Does it work? Yeah, I think it does. In general operation you won't notice anything different. But when the conditions get extreme, it seems to help. And the science is there to support it.

I use 1 oz. of 2 stroke Pennzoil marine motor oil (TCW3 rated) per 5 gal. of gas. I have found it provides quicker starts, improved throttle response. It has been especially helpful after weeks or months of inactivity.

I'm biased because I worked in the refining and marketing business as a fuels engineer for 37 years. Most aftermarket additives are not needed in fuels. There are a few refineries that produce fuel that will turn dark over the winter. The dark fuel will still perform fine, but esthetically it looks scary. If you think you can tell a difference in performance with one tank of gas you are kidding yourself. If it makes you "feel" better, then maybe it is worth it to you, not your engine. Sorry to pick on Bxx1, but a perfect example of feeling better.... Ford has a test where they add a small amount of motor oil to gasoline to foul up the injectors quickly for testing purposes. Since you don't have injectors, oil in the gas probably doesn't do any harm. Not sure, but would guess the octane of motor oil is -100 or so.... Interesting that gasoline additives in 1965 were all about increasing the octane (like lead). Since about 1985 all gasoline is required by the EPA to have additives to keep the injectors clean. So when you pull up to the Techron pump in your Cobra, you are wasting your money, unless you have injectors. Retail brand additives today have nothing to do with octane, they are all about keeping inside of engine clean. 99.9% of automotive gasoline sold at retail is 10% Ethanol. Racing fuel has MORE Ethanol/Methanol. Avgas as zero Ethanol. As always, IMO....