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Towards the end of last year, Russian motorists were rendered a disservice by proposing to remove the octane rating requirements from the technical regulations for automobile fuels (already extremely limited). We already wrote about this, predicting the beginning of a complete mess in the country's fuel industry.
Recall the results of a recent examination of gasolines (ZR, 2011, No. 11): of the six Premium 95 samples, only two were fully air-conditioned, and one was completely unfinished “eighties”. But nothing can be done with the merry merchants: formally, this bootlegger is also normal gasoline that meets the requirements of the regulation. What to do utopa … sorry, refueling? Help yourself on your own.
VLIPLI
So, a situation familiar to many. A fuel reserve lamp woke up on the scoreboard, and on the side of the road instead of branded gas stations - only Pupkin-Oil. Crossed, refueled - but no luck. The motor began to blunt, twitch and die quietly. Or joyfully "rang your fingers" when you press the accelerator …
A catch from low-quality gasoline can be expected from three sides. Firstly, it has low knock resistance due to the mismatch between the real octane number (OCH) and engine requirements. From here - detonation, power loss, and then burnt-out valves and pistons, destroyed jumper grooves for rings, seized bearings.
Secondly, it hurts a large number of resins and, in general, a poor composition that degrades the quality of combustion. Because of it, the intake and fuel systems, as well as the combustion chambers are faster contaminated; fuel consumption increases, the engine overheats, and the converter prematurely fails.
Thirdly, the presence of water in the fuel: it disrupts the engine, in winter forms ice plugs in the fuel system, and accelerates corrosion.
According to the new version of the regulation, all this can not be controlled. And it’s time for us to be saved. The most correct thing is to drain the bootleg from the tank, call a tow truck and get there to a normal gas station. You can still call the boss and ask him to quickly send a secretary with a can of good gasoline … Dreaming? And now we recall that in the nearest car shop the showcase is probably made with all kinds of fuel additives with the promise not only to increase power, economy, dynamics, but at the same time to defeat all of the above troubles. The manufacturers' geography ranges from Russia (which, in general, is understandable) to Europe and the United States (is it really possible that there are no problems with fuel there?).
Well, let's try to recover. By the way, how to take the "medicine": before or after? We will deal with this.
TEN UNLIMITED
Preparations - two groups. The first is universal, treats everything at once. The second is specialized: these are octane correctors, cleaners and dehumidifiers. However, some compositions also possess related specialties.
We bought four samples of universal proofreaders that seemed most interesting. A couple of "narrow specialists" were added to them - octane correctors, injector cleaners, desiccants. So, there are only ten items - the sample is quite representative. For each drug, we compare the promised effect with the result - everything is simple and honest. We don’t award places this time, because all the drugs are different.
They found crappy gasoline for testing. This is not difficult: we drove into the region and found a container gas station, where the price is 2 rubles lower than everywhere else. We hit the bull's eye: instead of the promised 95th, we got the inferior 92nd, with a rich resin content and an explicit enumeration of heavy components that burn poorly, but well stain the motor. Water added themselves - from the tap. The gasoline testing procedures for all the parameters we are interested in are well established. We checked for each the octane number (OCH) at the UIT installation, as well as the change in the threshold of their real detonation resistance on the engine. Carried out a test for water retention with gasoline. The longest and nastiest test is testing the detergent ability of the additive. Naturally, we made a direct comparison of the motor and environmental indicators of the bench engine when working on base gasoline and gasoline containing the drug.
The tests took three weeks. The results are in the table (opens in full size by click):
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TEST RESULTS OF GASOLINE ADDITIVES TEST RESULTS OF GASOLINE ADDITIVES
Let's get back to the first question: how and when to use drugs? Systemically or symptom?
The preparations of the group of octane correctors are purely emergency compounds, so it makes sense to carry them with you. If you filled in an incomprehensible gasoline, after which I heard a detonation in the cylinders, then something can be fixed with such chemistry.
Cleaners and dehumidifiers are everyday motor hygiene products. If you are very concerned about his health, then they should be used constantly. And one-time actions for cleaning a heavily launched engine can even be dangerous, not to mention their low efficiency. In a difficult situation with left gasoline, they will not help either.
We recommend using universal remedies as prophylaxis when refueling with incomprehensible fuel in an unfamiliar place. Constantly apply them on high-quality gasolines is not worth it: a little expensive. Even the cheapest drug, TOTEK-UMT, will add about 2 rubles per liter to the price of gasoline. Nevertheless, they usually cannot cope with strong detonation (the expensive NOS Octane Booster doesn’t count). However, octane correctors are called upon to deal with such an emergency situation - we recommend keeping them at hand.
THE MEANS OF EMERGENCY RESCUE OF THE ENGINE THROUGH THE LEFT GASOLINE IS ONLY AN OKAN-CORRECTOR
DRUGS IN FACES
UNIVERSAL
NOS Octane Booster
Off-Road Formula, USA
Estimated price 775 rub
Recommended dosage 355 ml / 64 l
The cost of processing a liter of fuel is 12 rubles. 10 kopecks
one
Promised
To increase power in conditions of cross-country racing, as well as off-road. It keeps the fuel system in optimal condition, prevents corrosion, displaces moisture. Increases OCH by 7 units. It contains substances that create, in combination with gasoline, a dense, oxygenated mixture.
Received
Power increased by 4%, consumption decreased by 5%. The washing effect is medium. The increase in PF is significantly less than declared, but the threshold for the onset of detonation has increased. A noticeable increase in the retention time of water in the volume of gasoline after shaking the mixture. As for the "dense, oxygenated mixture" - a strange statement. Increases the density of the mixture only boost, not additives!
General impression
An effective, but very expensive amateur additive. Among the disadvantages is a slight increase in the yield of residual hydrocarbons. Usually this happens when octane-enhancing components are added that inhibit the combustion process.
TOTEK-UMT
Amplifier of motor fuel, Russia
Estimated price 200 rubles
Recommended dosage 500 ml / 100 l
Processing cost
liter of fuel 2 rub
2
Promised
Increases efficiency, power, torque up to 7%; gives a reduction in fuel consumption up to 5%; protects valves and nozzles from soot; cleans candles from ferrocene deposits; reduces harmful emissions of CO, CH, NOx; protects the engine from detonation, reducing sensitivity to OCh; removes moisture. Used nanotechnology combustion control.
Received
Almost everything is confirmed: a decrease in fuel consumption is even slightly more active than promised (about 6%), an increase in power and efficiency by 4%, and a decrease in toxicity. In this test, ferrocene removal was not checked, but this has been seen before (ZR, 2009, No. 7). True, it now practically does not exist in fuel - it is forbidden! Everything is written correctly about detonation. With a slight increase in the OR, the combustion rate increases noticeably, because the motor “knocks with your fingers” less. But the effect of removing moisture is weak.
General impression
The only Russian comprehensive fuel corrector looks decent. But what is meant by "combustion control nanotechnology"?
Wynn's Supremium,
Belgium
Estimated price 222 rub
Recommended dosage 250 ml / 250 l
The cost of processing a liter of fuel is 88 kopecks
3
Promised
Improves gasoline quality to the highest quality fuel. Reduces: fuel consumption, engine noise, harmful gas emissions - up to 30%. Increases engine power.
Received
We did not get the highest quality fuel, and why on earth? 0.1% additive is unlikely to affect the composition of the fuel and its knock resistance. Consumption decreased by 2.5%, power increased by the same 2.5%, toxicity fell slightly - this is confirmed. Washes engine parts well - hence the noted effects.
General impression
Good detergent, and inexpensive. And, as usual, you need to treat the advertising text with humor.
Xenum Complex Fuel Conditioner,
Belgium
Estimated price 430 rub
Recommended dosage 300 ml / 40-60 l
Processing cost
liter of fuel 8 rub. 60 kopecks
four
Promised
Restores power, saves fuel. Protects against corrosion, cleans valves, injector. Neutralizes water. Smoothes the engine, reduces toxicity.
Received
Very well written! Not a single specific figure - but there is nothing to complain about in other positions. Indeed - “restores”, “saves”, “protects” and “smoothes”. All this was seen in trials. However, the efficiency is not the highest: in fact, a good washing additive.
General impression
What was promised, then received. But for a very immodest price!
OCTAN CORRECTORS
Super Octane Concealer and Hi-Gear Cleaner,
USA
Estimated price 195 rubles
Recommended dosage 325 ml / 40-60 l
Processing cost
liter of fuel 3 rub. 90 kopecks
five
Promised
Increases OCH by 6 units; prevents the consequences of using low-quality gasoline; protects against carbon formation; eliminates detonation and ignition ignition; restores power; reduces fuel consumption by 5–7%; improves throttle response; reduces CO, CH, NOx; extends the life of the CPG by 2–2.5 times.
Received
OCH increases, but is much weaker than the declared 6 units. The effects of power recovery and reduced consumption have received far less than the declared ones. Engine detonation resistance is growing, but not by much. The washing ability is average. We will leave the promise to increase the CPG resource by 2–2.5 times on the conscience of the drug developers.
General impression
As an emergency drug - useful. But different words like "super octane" are not confirmed by real properties.
GUNK Lead Substitute (lead substitute),
USA
Estimated price 175 rubles
Recommended dosage 354 ml / 80 l
The cost of processing a liter of fuel is 2 rubles. 19 kopecks
6
Promised
Lead substitute. Protects against carbon deposits on the cylinders and valve damage.
Received
Is leaded gasoline still being driven in the USA? We haven't had it for a long time! It works like an ordinary antiknock, slightly increasing the OF and shifting the detonation threshold. But the effectiveness of lead (more precisely, tetraethyl lead) is very, very far. The washing ability and dehumidification were not tested, since they were not promised.
General impression
Purely emergency drug. We don’t see any sense of constant use, but if the motor thundered after the arrival at Pupkin-Oil, the potion can partially help.
INJECTOR CLEANERS
BBF Injector Cleaner, Russia
Estimated price of 65 rubles
Recommended dosage 500 ml / 90 l
The cost of processing a liter of fuel is 72 kopecks
7
Promised
Restores the health of clogged injectors. Prevents the formation of carbon deposits on the intake valves and deposits in the combustion chamber. Reduces fuel consumption by 5-7%. Prevents corrosion of fuel system components.
Received
Corrosion was not checked, and everything else is confirmed. Clear washing ability, and hence the reduction in fuel consumption. Power recovery and a slight reduction in toxicity are an added bonus.
General impression
A typical drug for regular motor hygiene, and one of the cheapest. But for heavily soiled engines it is necessary to apply with caution, starting with half dosages.
STP Fuel Injector Cleaner,
USA
Estimated price 105 rubles
Recommended Dosage 354 ml / 21 gallon
The cost of processing a liter of fuel is 1 rub. 31 kopecks
eight
Promised
Maintains cleanliness at critical points in the injection system. Removes coal dust, tar and grease from injectors. Protects against rust and corrosion. Does not cause deposits in the inlets and valves.
Received
For reference: 21 gallons is about 80 liters. From the translation it is not clear what the “critical points” and “coal dust” are, but the preparation has detergent properties, although at the level of universal correctors. Therefore, its effect on power and fuel consumption is also modest.
General impression
Efficiency is not the highest, but it works. And inexpensive. The washing ability is lower than that of competitors, but this has its own plus: it can be used in heavily soiled motors with the recommended concentration and even with an overdose.
Dehumidifiers
Runway. Gas tank moisture remover,
Russia
Estimated price 70 rubles
Recommended dosage 300 ml / 50-60 l
The cost of processing a liter of fuel is 1 rub. 27 kopecks
9
Promised
Eliminates moisture from the gas tank and carburetor. Reduces knock and improves throttle response.
Received
At the recommended concentration, water raises and holds, according to our estimates, up to 0.25–0.30% of the fuel volume. As regards detonation and throttle response, they did not really understand, therefore, they checked: the results did not go beyond the measurement error.
General impression
It works to retain moisture, but everything else … However, by name it is positioned. The price is also modest.
Sintec Fuel Dryer. Moisture remover - fuel additive,
Russia
Estimated price 60 rub
Recommended dosage 325 ml / 40-60 l
The cost of processing a liter of fuel is 1 rub. 20 kopecks
ten
Promised
Means for neutralizing water in the fuel system. It adsorbs water, converting it into an emulsion, and displays it in the combustion chamber.
Received
Really raises water and holds in the volume of gasoline. Of course, it will not be possible to pump out water in liters, but it copes confidently with a moisture content of 0.5%. And other indicators are clearly not worsening.
