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Are You Being Fueled?
  

Do the recently-launched branded fuels have what their advertising copy claims?
We give you the full story on the vitamin-enhanced fuels.

According to Darwin, everything evolves, and that applies to automobile engines as well. Although Mr D probably hadn’t the faintest idea what fuel metering and fuel delivery was, his theories apply very specifically to these systems, too. Carburettors are extinct and Multi-Point Fuel Injection (MPFi) has taken over the world and controls the mills of all modern cars. This technology has been around for a while, but stricter emission laws have brought it into India earlier than expected.

However, this changeover wasn’t totally smooth. The problem is that whilst carburettors could stomach low-quality fuel, MPFI systems couldn’t. Fuel injection systems are more finicky and tend to clog up over time when served bad stuff. Bad fuel doesn’t necessarily mean it is adulterated. Even the fuel coming straight from the refineries can pose a problem for certain engines. The main culprit here are unwanted deposits the fuel leaves in the engine.

MPFi systems accurately spray fine droplets of fuel into the engine for optimum combustion. Because of narrow fuel passages, fuel injectors are highly sensitive to the smallest of particles and any deposits in areas where the fuel is metered and atomised. In a new vehicle all the fuel delivery components — valves, ports etc — are clean, and fuel flows freely. Over time, however, carbon particles start forming clots and linings in certain areas, impeding the fuel flow to the engine, much like cholesterol deposits clog up blood vessels.

These deposits, commonly known as ‘gum’, are due to the oxidation of fuel that results in the gumming process. Gum deposits and other rubbish like carbon particles can play havoc with your engine. They can alter the spray pattern and reduce flow. Intake valves and ports, which operate at higher temperatures, are more prone to gumming and here it blocks not only fuel flow, but air flow as well. Interestingly, city-bound vehicles, ones that are used only for short distances, are more at risk.

So the key to keeping your engine in good shape is ensure that these deadly gum deposits are not allowed to form and that is where fuel additives come in. These additives which have a strong cleansing effect can effectively remove these deposits, and prevent the formation of new ones. Fuel additives have been around for a while now and certain car manufacturers like Opel and Daewoo recommend their use. Chances are that many of you have come across a pump attendant trying to peddle a bottle of the stuff while you’re tanking up.

Additives in new fuels prevent 'gumming' and keep engines clean.

That’s where Hindustan Petroleum Corporation (HPCL), Bharat Petroleum Corporation (BPCL) and Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) have capitalised, introducing fuels, which already contain additives. With startling lack of originality, HPCL has called its fuel ‘Power’, and BPCL’s offering is called ‘Speed’ while IOC has branded its new fuel ‘Premium’.

All these fuels are essentially one and the same and based on regular unleaded fuel but with those vital additives already pre-mixed. These new fuels with additives promise to keep the engine free of carbon deposits and hence running optimally. The fact that high-end carmakers like Opel in India insist on using additives just takes the case further for these new fuels that are set to replace the odd bottle of additive stored in the boot. At Rs 1.25 more per litre for these new fuels, they are priced comparatively to the cost of a bottle that would treat the same given amount of unleaded fuel. The advantage, of course, is that this is more practical, less messy and the additive is mixed more accurately into the fuel.

Speed, Power and Premium are all in the market now, available at select pumps in select towns and subsequently throughout the country. However, there are some facts you should know. Do not expect miracles — extremely clogged injectors will still require a mechanic’s intervention and so will other highly blocked passages. Carburetted cars will not respond as well to these fuels as MPFi ones will, and neither are these fuels critical to carb-cars. If your car is new and deposit-free, you will feel no difference as both the fuels just keep the engine running at its full potential and will not increase power. However, using them regularly will keep the fuel system deposit-free. Lastly, these fuels are not a substitute for higher octane (93) fuel and will not help high performance engines that are mainly found in imported cars.
 

Author: Bonito Chhabria
Source October 2002

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