Fuel Additives

Although my 2001 K1 curvy with 10K on the clock never misses a beat and runs faultlessly (I've done it now !!), I've been considering adding an "additive" into my next tank of unleaded to help clean the carbs. There seems to be loads of choice on the market.
Would you bother ? Is there any benefit ? Do they get "gunked up" enough for it to make a difference ? or leave well alone ?

[johnnyrod]

Don't bother, is the short answer. Additives do a range of jobs like corrosion inhibitors, detergents hich keep the inlet valves and carbs/injectors clean, prevent too much water dissolving in the fuel, etc. Anyone but the cheapest of petrol suppliers already has an additive package in the fuel, and they're a lot better than Redex. Shell is the best and 2-3 tankfulls is enough for pretty much the full effect of the additives.

[northwind]

If there's a problem, it can be worthwhile... The Orrible Yam ran like an absolute dog, even on optimax, until I gave it a few doses of Redex... It was literally spitting bits of blackened rubbish out the exhaust (well, out the hole in the exhaust...)

Here's one that's popular with our US friends, don't know how wise it really is. They take the airbox off, fire up the bike, and spray water into the intakes. The water, naturally, flashes to steam in the combustion chamber and basiaclly steamcleans the heads. Sounds insane though

[embee]

I basically agree with johnnyrod about decent fuels, however the carb/injector cleaners do work effectively for removing gum or especially "plugging" of injectors (deposits accumulating around the pintle).

Various car manufacturers have specified the use of injector cleaner at service intervals in the past. This was particularly a problem in the '80s and early '90s in various world markets (BMW among others had problems in some areas of the USA).

Modern injectors and modern fuels are better at resisting/avoiding build-up.

I'd suggest that it can help if there is deposit build up, and providing you use a reputable product in accordance with instructions it won't do any harm (there's nothing in them which will cause catalyst/oxygen sensor poisoning).

It can be useful if a carb engine is left for prolonged periods and float-bowls can dry up, leaving behind varnish/gum.

Thanks guys.
I think I'll leave well alone - after all, why go down a road you don't have to ?
I never put cheap tesco petrol in my beloved sunday morning play thing - and always try to go for a premier brand (Shell, BP, Texaco etc etc) if its available.
I once heard / read somewhere that the reason supermaket petrol is so cheap is due to the fact that they dont include the necessary cleaning / performance additives in it ?
you might pay a little more for BP etc but for the amount we use in bikes - its got to be worth it.
I'd put tesco juice in my strimmer / mower but thats about it

Thanks guys.
I think I'll leave well alone - after all, why go down a road you don't have to ?
I never put cheap Tesco petrol in my beloved Sunday morning play thing - and always try to go for a premier brand (Shell, BP, Texaco etc etc) if its available.
I once heard / read somewhere that the reason supermaket petrol is so cheap is due to the fact that they dont include the necessary cleaning / performance additives in it ?
You might pay a little more for BP etc but for the amount we use in bikes -its got to be worth it.
I'd put Tesco juice in my strimmer / mower but thats about it

[johnnyrod]

I know Tesco did use a fairly good additive package a few years back, I presume that's still the case, but yes, the cheaper brands sometimes have nothing at all in them. The amount of residue isn't a lot so you don't have to worry about occasionally using a brand you don't like the look of, even if it leaves something behind it won't last too long when you go back to whatever you're happy with. For overwintering etc. though using something good alos means it has the corrosion inhibitors etc. in it, not so important over the summer when you're out there using it up all the time.

I don't think the petrol at supermarkets is any less inferior is it ?? I know Tesco's petrol is supplied by Esso or Texaco and Sainsbury's are supplied by Shell.

A friend of mine did a study for Uni about this last year......

Right.... it's a slow day at work....

Just been researching this on the good ol' web. Every tanker that goes to the depot, whether it's Shell, BP, Morrison's or whoever to pick up the fuel gets exactly the same fuel, with additives.

Only Shell (and I wasn't on a Shell website), add more additives to their Optimax fuel which is actually mixed at the forecourt.

I'd like to think it's all the same, but...
my car has a skimmed cylinder head after over heating and warping so the compression ratio is up slightly. I notice the very slightest pinking, and then only now and then when I'm on Tescos petrol. However no probs with the big name stuff.
I spose I don't know if I just got a duff batch as I've never been back.

and...

Didn't early 16V fords have some sort of valve sticking problem on Supermarket fuel?

RR