Valvoline Restore & Protect FUEL SYSTEM CLEANER

[karboog]

I am using only chevron Techron fuel or Shell V power and I never had to use fuel additives

[fe7565]

Originally Posted by karboog

I am using only chevron Techron fuel or Shell V power and I never had to use fuel additives

Yeah, I wouldn’t use any fuel additives either I forgot, Techron is already in some Top Tier fuels. Is it in Costco?

[fe7565]

Originally Posted by Sourd9

going on about 80k miles been thinking of doing this. Is it worth it or just marketing?

Like mentioned here, if you are using BMW specification oil for your particular engine, replace it regularly, and you have been using top-tier fuel… you probably don’t need anything else.

If it’s economically feasible for you, you can try it. I’m sure it will not hurt your fuel system. There is not yet enough data to form an opinion yet. Although, this is not like an oil additive where you are taking a gamble.

[Brandoch]

Originally Posted by fe7565

Although many products are "marketing" and hype in the auto industry, dismissing wholesale everything as "marketing" is shortsighted. In my understanding, proper specs engine oil itself is the best detergent. And changing it regularly at reasonable intervals is the best "snake-oil remedy". So, I would NEVER put any oil additives into my oil unless it was formulated as such (like the Valvoline R&P, or the so called "high-mileage oils", etc) which were specially designed (chemically) to accomplish a certain task.

Adding oil additives to your OEM specs oil may or may not be fine. But doing it is a lottery, because you change your oil's (deigned) chemistry which may put it outside of your OEM specs. And then one of the following can occur: helps your engine, does nothing, hurts your engine. Without regular oil analysis (which I do not care to do), you will not know for sure if the oil additive you used does work as intended in your own particular engine.

This is not like taking Vitamin C where you know that the impact to a human body will be the same positive (99.9% of the time. The oil additive can change the chemistry of the OEM spec oil in unpredictable ways in relation to your specific engine and oil used...unless that additive was designed for that particular oil product (i.e. mixed from the factory /other ways: designed/). Or by the user mixing it with a specific OEM engine oil supposed to lead to a pre-determined guaranteed chemistry modification as designed (claimed) [U]by the oil additive [...]

Marketing

[AlpineSwift]

Originally Posted by fe7565

Techron was/is the highly rated (if not highest rated) as a fuel additive for over two decades...at least for modern engines. When Costco sold it, I used to buy it in bulk. Now, it's too expensive (for me) to use as a "preventative" , so I use Marvel Mystery Oil fuel additive which is fairly highly rated as well. For that price-economy I do not mind using a fuel additive that may or may not do anything measurable.

The Valvoline R&P fuel additive is too new so I will keep my eye out on more credible data about it. Considering that it's from a major manufacturer that has engine oil (and the stringent certification it requires) as its core-product, I would trust it more than by a manufacturer that makes boutique (oil) additive products only to be mixed in with third-party oil products they have no control over.

I am not saying that boutique oil or fuel additives may not be good, just that I would need to see more third-party independent verification of their claims or large user-base experiences that goes back a lengthy time of usage.

Picked these up out of the BITOG forum. They've been diving a little harder into this stuff for a bit now and have direct answers from the product support team:

"There are no PEA (polyetherimide) cleaners. We use a brand-new proprietary fuel additive technology developed and proven to remove deposits better than PEA, while also helping keep the system cleaner longer. Give it a try, there is a 100% satisfaction guarantee."

"The new Valvoline Restore and Protect™ Fuel System Cleaner is a high-performance deposit control formulation engineered to deliver up to 100% removal of fuel system deposits in Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI), Carbureted, and Port Fuel Injection (PFI) engines within a single tank of treatment, as validated through real world and ASTM laboratory testing.
This formulation incorporates a next-generation proprietary detergent chemistry specifically developed to withstand the elevated pressures, temperatures, and injector tip coking environments characteristic of modern GDI combustion systems. Performance validation includes ASTM-based deposit control and cleanliness evaluations demonstrating complete removal of injector and intake valve deposits under standardized test conditions as well as in real world testing. The product also meets Top Tier™ detergent performance standards, ensuring compatibility with advanced deposit control requirements.
Functional benefits include:

Restoration of optimal injector spray pattern and fuel atomization efficiency
Measurable improvements in combustion stability and fuel economy
Reduction in hydrocarbon and particulate emissions
Lowered boundary friction within upper cylinder regions
A-rated corrosion protection performance
Mitigation of engine wear through enhanced surface protection
Additionally, the formulation contains an advanced friction modifier package designed to further reduce parasitic losses and wear rates, contributing to additional gains in fuel economy and long-term component durability.
For optimal continuous deposit control and system cleanliness, application is recommended in conjunction with scheduled oil service intervals or at 3,000–5,000 mile treatment cycles."

"The additive is built on a new chemistry that contains both detergents and solvents. Since the formula is proprietary we can not go into a ton of detail, but can tell you in ASTM D6201 testing the additive has proven a 98% improvement over Top Tier base fuel for Intake Valve Deposits, the industry standard for GDI testing in GM LHU Injectors proved a 100% clean up in 1 tank full, and that the formula gets an A rating in corrosion protection."

Anyone that's interested in deep diving the discussion can view it here: https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/th...leaner.404114/

Sounds like they found a new way to go about removing deposits. Makes me wonder if it's a similar additive to what they use in their R&P line of Oil's.

[fe7565]

Originally Posted by AlpineSwift

Picked these up out of the BITOG forum. They've been diving a little harder into this stuff for a bit now and have direct answers from the product support team:

"There are no PEA (polyetherimide) cleaners. We use a brand-new proprietary fuel additive technology developed and proven to remove deposits better than PEA, while also helping keep the system cleaner longer. Give it a try, there is a 100% satisfaction guarantee."

"The new Valvoline Restore and Protect™ Fuel System Cleaner is a high-performance deposit control formulation engineered to deliver up to 100% removal of fuel system deposits in Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI), Carbureted, and Port Fuel Injection (PFI) engines within a single tank of treatment, as validated through real world and ASTM laboratory testing.
This formulation incorporates a next-generation proprietary detergent chemistry specifically developed to withstand the elevated pressures, temperatures, and injector tip coking environments characteristic of modern GDI combustion systems. Performance validation includes ASTM-based deposit control and cleanliness evaluations demonstrating complete removal of injector and intake valve deposits under standardized test conditions as well as in real world testing. The product also meets Top Tier™ detergent performance standards, ensuring compatibility with advanced deposit control requirements.
Functional benefits include:

Restoration of optimal injector spray pattern and fuel atomization efficiency
Measurable improvements in combustion stability and fuel economy
Reduction in [...]

Let me dive into this. I have no reason to doubt Valvoline’s claims, but if these numbers are true, they should be the headline in every newspaper in the industry.

[fe7565]

Originally Posted by Brandoch

Marketing

Thank you for your opinion. After all, it’s just an opinion which may or may not be informed. I will not ask, but I’m sure it’s backed up by diligent research and firsthand experience.

Reminds me of my 86 year-old uncle who 10 years ago said that mobile phones are only used by pimps and hookers. Now he sleeps with his mobile phone under his pillow

[pbonsalb]

Originally Posted by AlpineSwift

Sounds like they found a new way to go about removing deposits.

I love magic. From the gas tank to the intake ports with DI. The only explanation that comes to mind is that valve overlap allows some mixing, but I think it is insufficient. Does anyone understand variable valve timing well enough to know there is enough pass through to matter?

I think there is a reason car bakers are starting to add port injection to DI engines. GM is doing it now for their V8s, in part to reduce carbon on the backs of the valves and in part because port injection is better than DI during extremely low loads like engine idle.

[AlpineSwift]

Originally Posted by pbonsalb

I love magic. From the gas tank to the intake ports with DI. The only explanation that comes to mind is that valve overlap allows some mixing, but I think it is insufficient. Does anyone understand variable valve timing well enough to know there is enough pass through to matter?

I think there is a reason car bakers are starting to add port injection to DI engines. GM is doing it now for their V8s, in part to reduce carbon on the backs of the valves and in part because port injection is better than DI during extremely low loads like engine idle.

I'd be willing to give them a little leeway on this product given how successful their R&P line of oils have been at removing deposits internally. Given how good fuel's are these days, I think this is probably more geared towards vehicles that need some love after sitting a while or just not being well maintained in general. Not sure how much benefit a DI system would gain but who knows. I'm not a chemist.

For the people here that have Gen 3 B58's, we have DI and PI combined, so there's potential for some benefit beyond simple fuel system cleaning later on when mileage starts racking up.

That all said though, intake deposits haven't really been something I've heard too often since the N54/55 days. I'm not sure what exactly BMW changed that made this basically a non-issue but I'm grateful to not be planning out walnut blasting in the future anymore.

[pbonsalb]

With port injection added back, the problems should be minimal. Took BMW 15 years to figure out what to do.

[fe7565]

Originally Posted by AlpineSwift

. Given how good fuel's are these days, I think this is probably more geared towards vehicles that need some love after sitting a while or just not being well maintained in general. Not sure how much benefit a DI system would gain but who knows. :

I share your opinion. I also believe this is more of a general approach by Valvoline. Their 100% claim maybe (should be?) caveated by the type of engine. It’s certainly a very bold claim. And since it’s coming from a major player with a good track record in the industry, it’s worth not to dismiss it off-hand. A lot of people are jaded and confused by all the various “snake oils”… so looking out for future factual credible data and objective evaluations.

[ApexEight]

Originally Posted by ApexEight

Coming up on 80k miles, original injectors. Have wondered if doing one of these fuel treatments would be a good idea. Averaging 20mpg on like 70/30 hwy/street but do sit in quite a bit of traffic. I don't care as much about increasing my fuel economy, I just want my original injectors to stay healthy. I always use 93 Shell V Power Nitro+.

Bought a bottle from AutoZone yesterday but am unsure if I want to use it on my next fill up. I'm usually not the type to use any sort of additives. I mean, what could go wrong?

[StickShiftEV]

Originally Posted by ApexEight

what could go wrong?

imagine if Christopher Columbus, Neil Armstrong, J. Oppenheimer, or even Albert Einstein said "what could go wrong?" before they tried anything...

like my former Mercedes salesman of 27 years always said to me: "no guts, no glory!" (although he really meant "no guts to buy a new Mercedes that you can barely afford, no glory on my sales chart for this month, no commission for me?")

try the additive and report back!

[shawnhayes]

Originally Posted by fe7565

I’m willing to try, but tell me why that? Besides that it’s BMW labeled and approved.

It’s old and proven tech. Simple. No known issues or negatives.

Shawn

[fe7565]

Originally Posted by shawnhayes

It’s old and proven tech. Simple. No known issues or negatives.

Shawn

My comment you cited was referring to an earlier post by someone with a picture of a BMW product.

Having said this, I am going to try this R&P fuel cleaner. The problem is that my car with 118k miles is running as smooth as when I bought it at 28k. So not sure what to look for as far as improvements. My mileage is still the same as when I got it, not burning any oil, the slightly jumpy idle smoothed out after three R&P oil changes throughout 7k miles, the injectors still sound like diesel, and I am not going to tear down my valve cover to check for deposits

[Brandoch]

Originally Posted by fe7565

My comment you cited was referring to an earlier post by someone with a picture of a BMW product.

Having said this, I am going to try this R&P fuel cleaner. The problem is that my car with 118k miles is running as smooth as when I bought it at 28k. So not sure what to look for as far as improvements. My mileage is still the same as when I got it, not burning any oil, the slightly jumpy idle smoothed out after three R&P oil changes throughout 7k miles, the injectors still sound like diesel, and I am not going to tear down my valve cover to check for deposits

Why use a product that you don't need?

Marketing!

Just to get you to spend money.

[fe7565]

Originally Posted by Brandoch

Why use a product that you don't need?

Marketing!

Just to get you to spend money.

Let's not confuse oil additives (which I do not use) with fuel system cleaners. It's part of maintenance. I use Top Tier fuel and BMW specs oil, but I drive 90% of the time in the city and short trips. GDI does not allow for valves to be flushed by the fuel (detergent) much. So this is like taking vitamins. Take them for prevention and not for the cure when you are already sick.

If I could blow out my engine on the highway once a month with sustained high RPM driving, I may consider not using any.

[Brandoch]

Originally Posted by fe7565

Let's not confuse oil additives (which I do not use) with fuel system cleaners. It's part of maintenance. I use Top Tier fuel and BMW specs oil, but I drive 90% of the time in the city and short trips. GDI does not allow for valves to be flushed by the fuel (detergent) much. So this is like taking vitamins. Take them for prevention and not for the cure when you are already sick.

If I could blow out my engine on the highway once a month with sustained high RPM driving, I may consider not using any.

Using a fuel system cleaner can be a good thing, it obviously depends on the engine and use.
However buying a new product just because it "claims" to "restore and protect" is preposterous.
There is quite a few tried and tested products that works as they should.

[fe7565]

Originally Posted by Brandoch

There is quite a few tried and tested products that works as they should.

Today I bought it and used it...albeit I am not (yet) set on the validity of Valvoline's claim in regards to this fuel cleaner. It has not been on the market long enough to assess with empirical evidence. As I mentioned before: I can only testify to using their R&P oil, and that's without tearing apart my engine. Valvoline is not some fight by night oil additive manufacturer with a single-trick pony product. So I have to rely on common sense, learning from what the pros say, and evaluating the credibility of other folks who had their own engine and oil filters (literally) torn apart to see the results.

I am not the type who made up his mind 30 years ago and never changes it, even as technology advances daily...often beyond the comprehension level of the individual who off-hand dismisses anything new and unordinary. Would love to hear your recommendations of your "tried and tested" products you swear by. I do not have a PhD in Tribology...so you need to convince me with facts that your products are not just "marketing". And please, do not be one of those people who recommends a product just because their old man used it for 60 years and swears by it....or just because its ingredients were used in the Space Shuttle.

[ericold]

Originally Posted by fe7565

This is an easy answer. I actually decided to buy my first four-cylinder turbo versus a six cylinder, because with the six cylinder I was getting 26 mpg, and with this four-cylinder turbo I’m getting 39.mpg.. while at the same times getting the same horsepower.

However, I’m still not used to the diesel sound of the fuel injectors in my four-cylinder turbo compared to the purring kitty sound of my quiet six cylinder.

But the real reason, you and everybody should be concerned about the fuel economy, is explained in the “Motor Oill Geek” clip, I posted above. Especially with GDI (direct injection), your piston rings can get stuck. Which can starve the engine from oil, causes bypass which leads to more deposits, and of course causes more wear. So the increase in the fuel economy is not coming from some magic formulation in the Valvoline R&R oil, but from freeing up the piston rings, so they can seal properly thus restoring lubrication, combustion efficiency, reducing blow by….all of which leading to restoring the original fuel efficiency. Sometimes it’s worth to actually read the comments and watch the links.

couldnt explained better.
unfortunately thats my situation right now .dont know if its stuck rings but i have some oil consumption and fuel consumption raises year by year.
if that additive does a good job like their oil R&P does then i am willing to try this IF i can find it here in europe bcs, we dont have the oil unfortunately and it costs way too much money to order it from US.

[ericold]

Originally Posted by fe7565

Let me dive into this. I have no reason to doubt Valvoline’s claims, but if these numbers are true, they should be the headline in every newspaper in the industry.

on bitog forum,which is an oil forum,there is a thred about R&P and all the experts there are very thrilled with this oil.they do thing it is working.there are some results from experts there posted.of course its the beginning but they are very pleased with the first results.try to have a look into this.

[fe7565]

Originally Posted by ericold

couldnt explained better.
unfortunately thats my situation right now .dont know if its stuck rings but i have some oil consumption and fuel consumption raises year by year.
if that additive does a good job like their oil R&P does then i am willing to try this IF i can find it here in europe bcs, we dont have the oil unfortunately and it costs way too much money to order it from US.

They don't sell Valvoline R&P in Europe? I wonder if the EURO-testing/certifications bureaucracy(?) is too much of a pain in the ass for Valvoline?