pickupsrule

OK, my 97 F150 is still perfection after a year but my Ford van (V 6) started misfiring badly. I thought it was the plug in that cylinder ( I disconnected the cylinder and it ran the same ). I replaced the plugs (yea, it was worn out, 60,000 miles). Still ran like crap. I then checked the rotor and cap. burned up, but at 200,000 miles (the original parts) I can't complain. Replaced those. Ran better but still missing on that cylinder. Fuel injector no doubt. So I got Marvel Mystery oil ( I use Lucas upper cylinder also but Marvel is cheaper) gave it a good dose in the gas tank. Ran a little better but still missing on that cylinder. I am not about to get into the fuel injector thing. So I go to K-Mart and get STP fuel injector cleaner (unclogs fuel injectors it says) for 3.99. I added that to the gas that already had 6 ounces of Marvel Mystery oil in it. Let the thing idle for about four minutes and POP! All of a sudden it is purring like a kitten. No missing, runs fantastic. In fact the more it runs the smoother it gets. You cannot even feel it idle now.
Marvel and Lucas upper cylinder lubricant contain a high level of Pale Oil so it is basically safe at all doses. When I added the concentrated cleaner, it lubricated and cleaned real quick. I have used Sea foam in a tractor, but Sea Foam has too much Naptha for me and not enough oil so I am not putting it in a gas tank of my vehicles (5).
I won't guarantee my formula won't eat up your engine, but it sure worked for me.
By the way, the formula only cost me 4.99 for the Marvel ( I did not use the whole bottle, just 6 ounces of 36) and 3.99 for the STP, so I came out cheap.
Hope this helps somebody.

SWC Custom

Sweet I ran a bottle of lucas in it a few days ago so if I dump some stp in it with a full tank do u think it will help or should I do them both at once?

otto457

^ Glad it worked for you, but to everyone else these results aren't typical. There really isn't anything magical about the STP (see link for data sheet) that would make it work. Once again, glad the truck is running well now but I have my doubts the STP would be the hero.

http://www.thecloroxcompany.com/prod...torcleaner.pdf

pickupsrule

If your truck is running fine, the Lucas should keep it that way.
If you think you have a clogged injector, you may want to try adding the STP along with the lucas in the same tank of gas.
I appreciate the fact sheet Otto, I was going to look it up because I was curious.
Lucas UCL in the big bottle (9.99 36 Oz which is 6 tanks for me) is the same as the little bottle of fuel injector lubricant (4.99 4 oz ) only a LOT cheaper (source - Lucas products).
All concentrated fuel injector CLEANERS contain Naptha which is basically jet fuel (solvent) and a small part of Pale oil ( a high refined oil). Lucas is all pale oil which is why it says " large amounts will not harm your engine". The pale oil replaces the 10% lubrication lost to the upper cylinders due to ethanol which has no lubrication (unlike gas which does). I use Lucas UCL purchased in the 36 oz bottle all the time in my vehicles and it definitely does increase gas mileage. I have tested the mileage with and without several times. The reason the van got clogged was that I use the cheapest gas I can get and it has no cleaners in it, unlike the big name brands. I ran out of Lucas and being cheap and lazy, I did not get more and put it in the van. Three tanks later, I get a clogged injector. Lesson learned. I will never forget to add the Lucas again.
I switched to Marvel because I saw an aircraft mechanic adding it to aircraft engines and it is half the price of Lucas. I think Marvel is fine but I also think Lucas is better.
The STP (and gumout, and seafoam) have high concentrations of Naptha and solvents unlike Lucas. Seafoam has too much naptha for me (75% according to one spec sheet) and I have read Seafoam will damage rubber and o' rings in the fuel and injector system.
Lucas UCL lists no hazardous ingredients and no fire or explosion hazard unlike Seafoam and the others. Lucas UCL is totally safe.
http://www.lucasoilpolska.com/media/..._treatment.pdf
As someone who has dealt with chemicals and fuels, I can smell the difference in Lucas, STP, Gumout, and Seafoam. Lucas has almost no odor the others smell like solvents and are highly volatile and hazardous.
I think mixing the Marvel and STP cleaner together made a really good cleaner.
I guess Gumout would have worked too, but the STP was the only one that stated it would unclog injectors, the Gumout only said it would clean injectors.
I will switch back to Lucas from Marvel simply because Lucas has worked so well for me before. I will pay the extra price.
The next time I get a clogged injector, I am definitely going to use a good dose of Lucas and STP injector cleaner in the same tank of gas.
If I don't get cheap and lazy again, I doubt I will have another clogged injector.

SWC Custom

Well I have a miss fire on the #1 cyl and I changed the plugs and cop and it's still skipping and really bad at idle but not so bad while driving any thoughts?

otto457

What plugs did you use, have you tested that COP, and cleaned the MAF and throttle body? If the answer is Motorcraft, yes, and yes and yes, try some PEA based cleaner (Techron or Regane).

brochf

What and where is the MAF and how do you clean it?

Myers

SWC, I got the same problem on my 1998 v6 f150.. Idle is AWFUL, but it runs great. I've messed with it so much I've just decided this is the way the truck runs cause I never wanted to get into the Fuel Injectors... I am thinking about trying this out in my truck! I was wonder what motor ya got?

Myers

I was wondering how much gas was in the tank when you gave it a good dose and how much is that about I think my 1998 F150 has a 95L tank. Or around there?

aloha_hawaii

isnt this f150 forum