Three years ago Andy from Powerenhancer revealed to the public the importance of PEA chemistry in fuel system and engines cleaners. It appears that Polyether-amine is now a hot topic of discussion on most automotive web sites; probably to the dismay of many Injector Cleaner manufacturers. As a result of Powerenhancer’s revelation, many manufacturers are now marketing the fact that their product contains PEA. But how much and which formula? The trouble is that many of them contain very little workable PEA and most contain older PBA chemistry (not dissimilar to thinners).

We’ve tried most fuel system cleaners, injector cleaners and engine cleaners or carbon removers. The only products we have found to successfully clean the fuel system AND remove carbon build-up are BG’s 44K, 244 and the Archoil range.

In fairness, the likes of Re***, For**, S**, Mag** and other more elaborate named products do a reasonable job of cleaning petrol or diesel injectors as any solvent based cleaner does. However, where they fall short is with the carbon removal and removing deposits from the combustion and post combustion areas. Unfortunately, high quality Polyether Amine (PEA) is considerably more expensive than Polybutene Amine (PBA). I am in the trade and the trade/cost price of genuine PEA is not cheap! But then we could use 10 x bottles over 10 x tanks of fuel of another leading injector cleaner only to find that carbon build-up remains. Whereas we know that 44K, 244 and Archoil are guaranteed to remove all carbon in a single treatment.

If you have a product that you believe to be high in PEA and would like it tested then please contact us. All you need to provide is the vehicle and the product. We will then arrange for a before and after test using a borescope into the combustion area. If it successfully removes all carbon deposits (or majority of) in a single treatment then we will then happily mention the product on this site.

Graham

Are fuel system, fuel injector, EGR and engine cleaners safe for my vehicle?

This is a question we get asked regularly and we feel the need to clarify. It’s also a topic we discussed at length with the MD of a worldwide additives distributor. As such, we have quoted what they had to say on the matter.

From our experience and testing you would have to seriously abuse a cleaner before it could cause any damage. Sure, there are many products that are useless and don’t deliver as promised but the main commercial ones we have tested are at least benign to an engine, including those with superchargers or turbo chargers or any of the latest high pressure fuels systems and emission control systems (Diesel particulate filters etc)

Now this is not a licence for you to put any old rubbish in your fuel tank. However, it is highly unlikely that you will find a reputable fuel additive that would cause any harm.

So why do the Main Dealers and car manuals insist on no fuel additives?

This is down to a combination of draconian thinking and commercial protection. Firstly and unlike in the US, manufactures (fronted through their main dealers) have a vested interest in maintaining a “replace with new policy”. For example, if a main dealer plugs in their diagnostics computer and it registers a faulty diesel fuel pump or faulty injectors then they must advise the customer that they require a new pump or injectors.

We have seen bill for almost £3000 to supply and fit 4 new diesel injectors from one of our customers! The fact that injectors and pumps can be reconditioned or that a good quality cleaner will 80% of the time resolve the problem is irrelevant. Main dealers have little choice and they risk falling out of favour with the manufacture or worse, losing their franchise if they deviate from the “replace with new” policy. If you accidently put a stain on the carpet would just replace the carpet without trying to clean it first?

Secondly, manufacturers and dealers are protecting themselves from customers that may foolishly put a harmful substance in the fuel tank, i.e. bleach (and we’re not joking) or putting fuel additives in with the oil or visa-versa. Hence, a straight forward “no additives” policy.

It also doesn’t help that the taboo surrounding oil additives has had a significant but negative impact on the use of fuel based additives in the UK.

So why is it different in the United States?

Unlike in Europe, the US main dealers have a strong influence over the manufactures. In many cases it is the main dealer that will call the shots. Unfortunately in Europe it is quite the opposite although we are starting to witness some change with manufacturers as they embrace the use of additive based solutions where and when it suits them commercially.

Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you require any further advice.

The FuelTechExperts Team