Shock therapy

You guys must have cursed me. I've never had any issues with carbs aside from my intake gaskets sucking air that one time...

But a couple of weeks ago I noticed a bit of a fuel smell when sitting idling, and I had also noticed it was being a touch crabby to start when it was warmed up. No fuel dump from spill tubes or anything, just seemed something wasn't fully seated.

O'Rielly's has Techron (my favorite) on sale 2 for 1 right now, so I bought two.

Put 4 oz in a full tank and rode it hard.Less than 50 miles into it, the problem disappeared.

As always, your results may vary...

And if you do this, DO NOT leave it sitting around with this concentration, it may cause problems. Ride it dry immediately....

 

Shock therapy- - nice title !!
I don't know what's in Techron, but I've used SeaFoam in the past on lawn equipment, then I read a thread about Acetone here on the site. Supposedly, a 500:1 mix gives better gas mileage, but I noticed as a "side effect" that it makes engines run a heck of a lot better.

The websites of Acetone enthusiasts say that it doesn't increase fuel economy with the 10% alcohol we have in the gas now, and the EPA has just cleared 15% Ethanol for sale !!
Alcohol picks up moisture in the air and begins to "rot" the gas rather quickly.

I plan it out so I run the Acetone thru, then tank up with fresh gas to avoid long term exposure to the old carb parts. 1 OZ per tank is about 500:1
Some carb and fuel injection cleaners have MEK in them, which is even stronger!! As you said- ride it out and get fresh gas - good idea.

 

Besides being the same name for a lousy movie, the idea of running a concentrated fuel system cleaner through isn't too bad, I'm glad it worked for you. Good advice on running the tank dry. I've used Berrymann's B-12 Chemtool in the same fashion for years, keeps the carbs clean.

 

Is the Techron treatment similar to using Seafoam in the tank? Better or what?

 

Techron is an additive cleaner/solvent like STP, Gumout, etc, except I never have any luck with those. I don't know what's different with Techron, but it just works better. Berryman B-12 is another one that actually works, and of course Seafoam.

Seafoam seems to me to be heavier on the detergent than solvent, but that's just a guess. It smells less volatile, I guess is where I get that impression.

I've had better luck using Seafoam for oil issues (clogged sump screen, sticky lifters, etc) than fuel issues, but a lot of people like it for fuel so it must work for them.

I tend to experiment and use things at much higher concentrations than recommended...my reasoning is that to avoid liability, they are gonna recommend the lowest effective "dose" that will not harm anything regardless of how used, so I figure if I'm gonna burn it all out RIGHT NOW, I can go heavier.

Someone mentioned Acetone...when I worked in the shop, I had a customer who swore by the virtues of lacquer thinner in the gas. Acetone and Ketone are the primary components of this.

He also used 1 quart to 4 ratio of Dexron ATF to motor oil in his engine. It seemed to work, he had an older Lincoln with a lotta miles, and it never had carb problems, and when I replaced the valve cover gaskets and timing chain at 165,000 miles it was VERY clean internally....

One time he added his lacquer thinner to his tank down at the pumps, came and started talking to me in the shop, ended up FORGETTING TO PUMP the gas, drove away with a near empty tank and a large ration of acetone in the remaining gas.

He called me to come tow him in, he said he made it about 2 miles before it started making terrible detonation sounds, began running rough, and died.

After I hauled it back to the shop, I pulled the plugs and found the insulators were blood red from the residues, and 5 out of eight electrodes were blown off...new set of plugs, FULL TANK of gas, and he was good as new again...

Moral of the story? Don't forget to fill it after putting whatever in there

 

i've been known to run ATF in the gas.

ATF is a better cleaner then oil but can't tolerate the engine temps.

i've also ran ATF in the oil.

 

That's what I was always told too...but it never seemed to cause him any trouble.

 

Started searching for "Techron" on the net, am not impressed.

http://www.rv.net/forums/index.cfm/fuse ... page/2.cfm

In my humble opinion, and limited research, the Naptha mentioned, is the same as Sea-Foam, and Coleman Stove fuel, and, is not specifically mentioned what kind of Naptha it is, as it's a "family" of chemicals.

Second point - I beleve the MEK needs to be left out of the mix, too strong.
Does everybody know that the Human body produces Acetone??
And the Human liver can process Acetone, think- - women paint the stuff on their nails to dissolve nail polish, and it is absorbed into the bloodstream. Acetone is safe as Caffeine !!

Now go clean your carbs !!

 

Acetylcholine, actually

 

Here's a reference to Acetone in the human body: Second paragraph -

http://www.ask.com/wiki/Acetone