expiredfbeltran03 posted Feb 12, 2025 09:11 PM
Item 1 of 3
Item 1 of 3
expiredfbeltran03 posted Feb 12, 2025 09:11 PM
12-Oz Chevron Techron Complete Fuel System Cleaner
+ Free Store Pickup2 for $12
$26
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Ethanol gums up engines - this is why typical gasoline since the 2000s will brick your lawnmower - need to take apart carburetor and clean to get working again.
Using ethanol free gas (usually available at Sheets, Wawa, etc) is best for vehicles, lawnmowers, and everything else. Better MPG as well because gasoline is more energy dense than ethanol.
Ethanol is the reason engines need these cleaners in the first place.
Ethanol is to engines what high fructose corn syrup is to the human body; they both come from corn, heavily subsidized by our tax dollars.
#TheMoreyYouKnow
But, you may need evaporator cleaner as cheap try to fix the code.
If it will not address the issue then look for O2 sensors, likely to be replaced. You need to check for both before and after O2 sensors via OBD2 to see which one isn't good.
And the worst case CAT converter replacement.
If above are unknown for you then talk to trusted mechanic.
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Is it better?
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Uneducated? It came across as factual to me. As far as I can tell, the oil industry specifically receives ~$20 billion in subsidies per year. Total fossil-fuel subsidies are considerably higher. And that's in the US alone.
I saw randonomous's comment as an "add-on" to the excellent comment from SavingsSamurai. It was related, factual, and didn't take away at all from what SavingsSamurai had to say.
Depends on what's causing it, right?
I had a 2002 Camry, which I got up to 232,000 miles (then was rear-ended, car totaled by some stupid *sshole). It burned oil like a furnace (presumed stuck piston rings). In my case I believe the O2 sensor failure was due to the oil burning fouling the sensor. In order to pass annual inspection, I'd simply buy a new Bosch/OEM O2 sensor.
Ideally you'd figure out the cause, and remedy that cause. Maybe the O2 sensor is just bad? I had to replace the passenger side Oxygen Sensor on my 2011 GS 350 at ~97,000 miles. I wasn't really worried, because the 2GR-FSE engine in my GS burns basically zero oil. The sensor just died. Sh*t happens. Installed a new Denso sensor, and it's currently at ~124,000 miles with no issues.
In the case of stuck rings, the worst case scenario involves taking the engine apart and replacing the rings. That's usually not going to be feasible for people, due to the time and costs involved. So a $150 O2 sensor every year suddenly looks very cheap in comparison.
If you don't think you have any other issues that might be causing this (e.g. excessive oil consumption), I would just change the sensor and see what happens. If it fails again, then start looking deeper for causes. Now if you know your engine is burning oil, that might be the cause of the sensor failure. I think I was adding 1 quart of Mobil 1 to my Camry every ~1,000 miles. Which is f*cking heinous, honestly. But at the time, I didn't have the time or space to take the engine apart and replace rings. Even today, while I have the space and $$ for tools and parts, I'd probably be hard pressed for the time to complete a repair like that.
If you are burning oil, I would suggest looking in to "Valvoline Restore & Protect". I've read a lot of good things about it, and have watched a number of before/after videos showing some pretty impressive results. In one video, a dude demonstrates lower crankcase pressure (presumably due to less blow-by, which occurs when piston rings get stuck). In another video, a guy with a ~2010's Lexus LS documents a BIG drop in oil consumption (presumably due to piston rings freeing up, especially the oil control ring).
I'm not partial Valvoline specifically, and I'm not trying to "push" it. I current have Mobil 1 ESP 0W-30 in my GS, and have used Castrol 5W-30 C3, Pennzoil Euro L 5W-30, Pennzoil Platinum Ultra 5W-30, and Liqui-Moly Top Tec 4200 5W-30 as well. I have some Valvoline XL-III SAE 5W-30 ready to put in at the next oil change.
It can be a layer of prevention from a clogged injector and some sensors. How much protection is impossible to really say.
I use it on the last fill up before each oil change. That way debris go into the oil about to be changed.
I live in CA where we have extreme fuel standards. My injectors have still clogged up. People cheat, stations sometimes get bad gas. Water can form. It happens.
Your fuel SHOULD NEVER BE MIXED WITH ENGINE OIL. Fuel dilution of engine oil will ruin it's lubrication properties. Do a quick google search for 'fuel dilution in oil'.
Water does NOT MIX readily with fuel, they have different densities.
You're also in CA, you've got a lot of urban myths in your post. I don't know if it's CA specific rumors, but most of them are false. ie. ARCO doesn't mix water in the fuel to acheive lower prices, etc.
If you're in Southern CA, fuel comes from two refineries, regardless of brand. The tankers just get additive packages (Techron, VPower, etc) on the way out of the refinery and it gets mixed in the tank on the way to the station.
Is it better?
Hey! GREAT advice here. As I indicated in my reply to the same comment, I bought the Bosch/OEM sensor for my Camry. And then a Denso/OEM sensor for my Lexus GS when I had to do it.
I'm fortunate to be able to always buy Lexus or Honda parts (or Denso/NGK/OEM), and then I do all of the work myself. But even I could be persuaded that with SOME parts it's OK to buy aftermarket
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