STP products, worth it?

[DSM2]

funkyboogalooo said:

Each to their own beliefs but as I say a great many garages use it.
Out of curiosity, how do you think a car that has serious running problems was fixed then when nothing else was done that could have affected the outcome?

I only have your word for that. Never seen 'serious running problems' fixed by any additive, in 40 years in the automotive business.

I spent a few years working for one of the copmpanies making these additives, in the early 80s. There was nothing in them that would do any harm, for sure, but nothing that would have a lasting effect either, sorry to say.

Decent oil, regularly changed, good quality of fuel and you'll have as good as it gets, I reckon.

Tell me, if these things are as good as some say, why the oil companies don't synthesise them and make their own?

[MonkeyVR6]

Seems to be good to to be true, but I'll give it a go!

I've got a Volkswagen Corrado VR6 with 88,000miles. Where can I buy this stuff and (from looking at their website) which particular product shall I use?

[funkyboogalooo]

DSM2 in my first post I didn't mention the product and had no intention of so you can take my word for it as I had no reason to lie. With regard to the petroleum companies a lot of them do, noticeably, valvoline. But I suppose it's horses for courses and doing what u know. This is all we do, not like Wurth or other companies that sell from cable ties to torches to diesel treatment. That's just what we do. Sorry if my grammar and spelling are all over the place but I'm typing on my iPhone and have very fat fingers LOL

[funkyboogalooo]

Sorry if this comes out wrong and i don't want to sound rude but the early 80's was a very long time ago, almost 30 yrs things have changed and so have the formulas I would suggest.

[V6]

It all sounds wonderful when a salesman says it.

Changing from Tesco super unleaded to Optimax can have the same drastic improvement for running issues including idle, flat spots etc.

In my experience they have the effect people want them to..

'I used an engine cleaner and after 100 miles the car felt noticably smoother' which can also be applied to 'I treat my car to 1 tank of super unleaded once every month, I notice an MPG gain and the car sounds different'

But at the end of the day, if you think it is running better, then it was worth the money. Hell, after I clean my car it seems to run better

Edited by V6 on Sunday 21st December 23:08

[ian in lancs]

As I said, independent tests have failed to demonstrate convincing benefits. So unless you can point us to peer reviewed scientific evidence rather than unsubstantiated rhetoric I for one am in the 'its snake oil' camp.

[shalmaneser]

I can see where people are coming from, especially with modern high performance injector systems, But I'm rattling around in a 81K '89 205 GTI - the injectors have 20 years of filth on them, and I'm sure the previous owner wasn't as religious as me when it came to 5K oil and filter changes with GTX Magnatec! The original vintage '89 (badly perished) rear tyres point to a certain lack to attention (now thankfully replaced!)

carbon deposits DO build up on the engine internals and if a product claims to be able to remove them (and is highly regarded by many professional mechanics) then for a tenner or whatever I'm all ears!

I doubt it'll squeeze another 10bhp out of a 20K e60 M5 but it might do my little pug some help!

I do know for a fact that some wynns injector cleaner really sorted out my 306 TD's injectors, the car ran undeniably smoother afterwards (no, that wasn't a placebo - it really did, to the point people commented!)

anyway, thanks for the info funkyboogalooo!

[AUDIHenry]

I'd like to try it out, but do they sell your particular brand across the pond?

In my experience, injector and carb cleaners tend to have positive effects, such as smoother idle. Whether there is better performance or MPG improvement is something else.

[triggersbroom]

I have never, nor will ever use an engine flush. It's a strong detergent, and no matter how well you drain afterwards, it'll always remain in the engine.

I personally reccomend using a cheap oil as a flushing agent, run around the block a few times, drain, and then do your normal oil and filter change.

Just my two pence worth.

[Pesty]

for those of you interested in this brand I have noticed that a certain internet tyre supplyer who got big thumbs up on here a few hours ago sells the full range.

I for one are very scepticle about any of this. I certainly would not belive an aditive can drop compression by that much after a few minutes.

But if you want to try it they supply it. no affiliation by the way ps I think you are wasting your money

[Pesty]

triggersbroom said:

I have never, nor will ever use an engine flush. It's a strong detergent, and no matter how well you drain afterwards, it'll always remain in the engine.

I personally reccomend using a cheap oil as a flushing agent, run around the block a few times, drain, and then do your normal oil and filter change.

Just my two pence worth.

That sounds like common sense.

to be honest Im not even sure you need to do that these days, put decent stuff in and change it often.

Mrs vectra on 180k miles with ahem lets just say patchy service history still runs like a dream

[dr.pepper]

funkyboogalooo said:

You got me, its Forte. I would reckon it lowered the compression on 2 by ceaning the crown of the piston, effectively making a larger void (bad phrasing but cant think how else to word it) so lower compression.
Mike

I thought it might be the Forte stuff. I can personally vouch for the effectiveness of the injector cleaner, it's pretty good stuff.

I wasn't aware of a distinction between the fuel and injector cleaner though.

[morgrp]

ian in lancs said:

Joecooool said:

ian in lancs said:

King Rolex said:

I was thinking about buying some STP stuff from Halfrauds.... injector cleaners etc, are they worth the cash, or a waste of mooney?

cheers

complete waste of money.

BMW specifically advise against using them in the engine, gearbox and back axle.

Well, the reason BMW does that is because they sell oil changes with their own "special oil" and tell their customers if they use their products additives are not necessary.

Just as bad as what STP does if you ask me...

BMW just use commonly available Castrol oils. The only difference is they buy in bulk and charge the earth. The main dealers never use additives. BMW and Castrol state their use is detrimental.

Ahh, so thats why my mates main agent serviced B-em 525i is full of black death - they use Castrol

[Maverick7777]

Did we ever find out what the stuff was being send by Mike?