Author Topic: Car engine question(s), fuel additives, etc (Read 601 times)

Wolfala · « **on:** December 28, 2005, 10:53:12 PM »

I was looking over an older thread (http://www.hitechcreations.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=144440&highlight=MTBE) and it got me thinking. I've got an Acura TSX, 2004 with about 32,000 miles on it. I have noticed that there is some hesitation when I tap on the throttle, so i'm suspecting fuel injectors maybe being clogged or something to that effect.

What is the deal with Techron and those small bottle additives? Is it the kinda thing that actually does work or is it just pissing away 30 bux for the treatment?

Wolf

Vad · « **Reply #1 on:** December 28, 2005, 11:29:09 PM »

2004, 32000 miles? It is on warranty!

Just tell that in your dealership.

I have Acura MDX, and dealer told me 'DON'T DO ANYTHING!" if don't want to lose warranty.

rpm · « **Reply #2 on:** December 28, 2005, 11:37:56 PM »

Techron really does work. But be careful, it's stong stuff. Don't exceed the proper ratio.

Octavius · « **Reply #3 on:** December 28, 2005, 11:38:20 PM »

I bought a `96 S10 Blazer with a V6 vortec engine in June. Overall it was in great condition with 230k total, around ~80k on the current engine. It was owned by a salesman that put many, many highway miles on it and was well maintained. But no matter how well the maint., the entire fuel system is going to take on bad **** and build over time. After one week I recorded the MPG and expected a lowish number. I then tuned everything (the works; oil, distributer, plugs/cables, air filter, alignment and balance. Last but not least I tossed in a quart of Slick 50 with just under a full tank of premium and watched the MPG soar (yeah, overkill, but the prem additives give me a nice placebo

). I saw an increase of about 7-8mpg in city conditions overall. It aint bad, it aint a miracle, but it gets the job done every so often.

Wolfala · « **Reply #4 on:** December 29, 2005, 03:50:13 AM »

Ok, so for a first time user - what are the do's and don't?

beet1e · « **Reply #5 on:** December 29, 2005, 04:34:30 AM »

Wolf - I was in that thread you quoted. I've since parted with the car that I mentioned, after 2 years and 48,000 miles. I never did use any premium fuels or oils, and never used any oil or fuel additives. And I never had an ounce of trouble. First time starts even in -5° (that's 23 to you!)

If you're having problems at 32K, I'd do what the others suggest and take it back to the dealer.

Ripsnort · « **Reply #6 on:** December 29, 2005, 08:14:49 AM »

Does your car have an electronic throttle? (aka "Drive by wire") If so, its most likely just a tweak on the chip. Dealer will be able to do this. Another thing to consider is that gasoline in the U.S. this time of year has 10% methanol. I know it affects the performance of my pick up truck slightly...or maybe its just my imagination...

crowMAW · « **Reply #7 on:** December 29, 2005, 09:58:26 AM »

Wolf...I agree with what others have said. You should not have clogged injectors with only 32k miles on a 2004 car.

Just to check...you have replaced your air filter at least twice so far, right? Sometimes hesitation can be cured with simple maintenace. Make sure air filter is clean and if the air filter has been dirty for a while you may want to clean the MAF (mass air flow). Spraying some brake cleaner on the throttle on the manifold can also clear up hesitation sometimes.

However...

A very common problem on Hondas is the MAP sensor (manifold air pressure). Just about every 4cyl they make from the lowly Civic to your TSX use the same MAP sensor and they have a tendency to go bad causing hesitation. Usually you will feel the hesitation at low rpm and at VTEC cross-over.

Take it to the dealer...however the MAP sensor issue is sometimes difficult to re-create so they may give you sh** on replacing it under warranty. Luckily, they are fairly cheap ($50) and you can replace it yourself easily (couple of screws and a plug).

Hornet33 · « **Reply #8 on:** December 29, 2005, 10:23:03 AM »

For a healthy ride do the following.

Change oil and oil filter every 3-4 thousand miles

Every other month dump a bottle of STP gas treatment in the tank before you fill up. This should be around every 6-8 tanks of gas. Helps keep the fuel lines and injectors clean. Put it in the tank before you add gas.

Every 6 months replace or clean the air filter. I say clean because some people have filters such as K&N that can be cleaned instead of replaced.

Every Year replace the fuel filter, spark plugs, plug cables, 02 sensor and brake pads.

Every other year replace the battery, get the transmission and radiator flushed, and replace your radiator hoses (upper and lower). I found this out the hard way on my wife’s car 1999 Bonneville. It has a transverse V-6 (engine sits in the car sideways) and the lower radiator hose is right next to the exhaust manifold. Over time the heat will deteriorate the hose and cause it to collapse, cutting off coolant to the engine. Result was a warped head and $2000 in repairs, all because of a $6 hose.

Keep a logbook in the glove box with your maintenance records.

Also every so often take your car or truck to the car wash and clean the engine. Spray it down good with the hot soap setting and then rinse it off real well. Wait ten minutes and drive away.

I follow this maintenance routine and my vehicles always run good.

rpm · « **Reply #9 on:** December 29, 2005, 10:33:13 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by Hornet33
Every Year replace the fuel filter, spark plugs, plug cables, 02 sensor and brake pads.

Not nessessary to change the plugs that often anymore. If you have newer platinum plugs they are designed for 100,000+ miles.

Hornet33 · « **Reply #10 on:** December 29, 2005, 10:39:03 AM »

True that it may not be nessessary to replace plugs every year but on the other hand I KNOW they are good and they only cost a couple of bucks a piece.

I'm also old school when it comes to vehicle maintenance. I don't trust anything that says it's good for 100,000 miles.

Routine maintenance prevents routine problems.

BigGun · « **Reply #11 on:** December 29, 2005, 12:01:22 PM »

I find Maintenance different for different cars. One of my cars recommends transmission oil change at 75k. Mechanic specializing in car says probably do at 60k just to be safe. Every other year (30k miles) would be waste of $$ and overkill. Also, car runs on synthetic oil, can easily get 5k miles before changing. This mechanic is nazi about maintenance, and so I follow his recommendations & have had no major problems.

He also recommends the Tectron fuel ing cleaning stuff once about every couple of months to help prevent build up.

Another car I have from same manufactuer is a bit older & requires a completely different maintenance schedule, which is all together different than my wife's suburban.

Ripsnort · « **Reply #12 on:** December 29, 2005, 03:25:25 PM »

I'd highly recommend never to change the tranny oil on Ford's made during the time that the tranny's were outsourced to Italy , I believe that was during the 1990's...We had a '91 F150 and '99 Explorer. Both times I had the tranny fluid changed at around 90,000 miles, both tranny's began slipping within 5,000 miles of the change.

FUNKED1 · « **Reply #13 on:** December 29, 2005, 04:01:46 PM »

slushbox?

Captain Virgil Hilts · « **Reply #14 on:** December 29, 2005, 04:54:47 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by rpm
Not nessessary to change the plugs that often anymore. If you have newer platinum plugs they are designed for 100,000+ miles.

A good 20% of those spark plugs left in for 100K miles take at least half the threads out of the heads when you take them out.

ONE damaged spark plug hole will cost you enough money to buy 10 sets of spark plugs. You decide if it is worth the risk.