Re[2]: To add or not to add (fuel additives)

[Toby Erkson <Toby_Erkson@ccm.jf.intel.com>]

Well, I know from experience that fuel additives meant to remove water from 
the tank work.  My Dad and I call 'em "gas dryers" so I don't know what the 
approved term is, but they contain alcohol and it mixes with the water in 
the tank.  This allows the engine to keep running (although, maybe poorly) 
while it's "burning" the water.  Normally, when the engine gets a bubble of 
water it stops running -- a very scary thing to happen to you when you're 
toodling down the interstate at night! -- but it will pass the water and 
run again when it gets fuel.  Water is heavier than gas so if you've had a 
car sitting for awhile the fuel delivery system will suck the water before 
the fuel which can make for a long and frustrating startup until the water 
has been passed.  A dump of gas dryer in the tank will solve this problem 
(happened to me one morning during my cross-country trip, sure am glad Dad 
knew what to do!)

I've used STP as it contains jet/FI nozzle and valve cleaners and as well.  Does
it clean?  I haven't done a before and after test so I couldn't tell ya.  But 
from what others have said here, today's gas (at least the higher octanes) has 
stuff in it that cleans the fuel intake system so an additive probably isn't 
necessary unless there is water in your tank.

My III cents,
     Toby Erkson, air_cooled_nut@pobox.com
     '72 VW Squareback 1.6L bored and stroked to 2.0L
     '75 Porsche 914 1.8L
     Portland, Oregon, http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/8501/

______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________
Subject: Re: To add or not to add
Author:  type-3-errors@umich.edu at SMTPGATE
Date:    12/2/97 7:52 PM

On  2 Dec 97, Shannon Darosett wrote:

> This reminds me......my car was hesitating in the mornings
> recently.........after some freaking out and doomsday predictions I finally
> calmed down and bought a bottle of FI cleaner for my gas tank.  Worked like
> a charm despite my feeling like a chump in the checkout lane (I didn't know
> a good FI cleaner from snake oil.........)

I'm not sure there IS a difference ;-)  I have tried this blind stab
in the dark many times in the hope that it would provide a quick easy
solution to a problem that I didn't want to deal with at the time.
The only predictable result that I have found that I can depend on is
the separation of several dollars from my wallet.

I would be happy to hear from others who's experience has been more
positive.

Jim
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       Melissa Kepner                                    Jim Adney
                             Laura Kepner-Adney
                         jadney@vwtype3.org
                             Madison, Wisconsin
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