Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

Dobbin · Joined: 15 May 2013 Posts: 67 Location: Central Scotland

Like most people I like to save money where I can. This afternoon I decided to get some Redex Petrol Additive to clean the carburettor and add a drop or two into the petrol tank. I popped into Halfords on the way home from work and priced it at £5.49 for 250ml not bad I thought but would check online when I got home. Prices in fairness weren't much different so I decided to I would get some tomorrow. However, when I was in B&M discount store I saw the same stuff for £3.49. Now that's what I call a bargain. They also had Redex cleaner for diesel engines and petrol injection for the same price. I thought you might like to know in case your tempted to spend some cash on your pride and joy this weekend. Happy Motoring.

baconsdozen · Joined: 03 Dec 2007 Posts: 1119 Location: Under the car.

To be honest I'd have saved the £3.49 and not bought any at all. In all the years I've been driving I've never found a fuel additive that does anything worthwhile,other than the LRP stuff but even that is of doudtfull efficiency.
I use thinners to clean a carb.
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Thirty years selling imperial hand tools for old machinery(Now happily retired).

ChrisD · Joined: 03 Dec 2012 Posts: 78 Location: South Wales

Words of wisdom baconsdozen. IMO, ALL additives for fuel, oil or otherwise are a complete waste of money.
You can be sure that anything worth adding is already in the fuel or oil, at least if its a good quality product. Companies have spent millions over the years developing them. In fact many additives are detrimental to the base product.
I'm a chemist btw....

Riley Blue · Joined: 18 Jun 2008 Posts: 1751 Location: Derbyshire

"Anything worth adding is already in the fuel...?

Does that include ethanol?

peter scott · Joined: 18 Dec 2007 Posts: 7211 Location: Edinburgh

Don't underestimate the benefits of a little added snake oil.

Peter Wink

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1939 SS Jaguar 2 1/2 litre saloon

ukdave2002 · Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 4229 Location: South Cheshire

Penman · Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 4850 Location: Swindon, Wilts.

Hi
Back in the 50's there was at least one brand, I think it was Cleveland Discol, that advertised added alchohol; and I can remember working on a forecourt when we used to add a shot of UCL (Redex and/or other brands) at a rate of one shot per gallon.
I also remember taking off the air cleaner and putting a shot straight through the carb, supposedly to clean the head.
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baconsdozen · Joined: 03 Dec 2007 Posts: 1119 Location: Under the car.

I'm convinced the old Redex squirt in the carb is a myth.
You can achieve the same effect with a squirt of diesel fuel. Either will temporarily increase the compression and so blow out some loose deposits in the engine or exhaust and both will give a cloud of smoke out of the exhaust when revved. Diesel has a penetrating effect so might help dislodge some of the carbon in the engine if squirted in and left for a bit.
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Thirty years selling imperial hand tools for old machinery(Now happily retired).

ChrisD · Joined: 03 Dec 2012 Posts: 78 Location: South Wales

Ethanol of course is not an "additive" you buy and add yourself, which is what I meant (although you could add some if you really wanted to!).

Its added for cleaner combustion for pollution reasons and its unfortunate that it causes problems with some classics. I haven't noticed any myself but alas we're forced to use it.

Riley Blue · Joined: 18 Jun 2008 Posts: 1751 Location: Derbyshire