Fuel System Cleaner causing white smoke?

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b_crazy

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I bought a can of Wynn's fuel system cleaner at the local garage 3 days ago and poured it into the tank when my the tank was on E, drove to the garage immediately and filled up to 3/4.

Today I noticed that there's white smoke coming from the exhaust when I drive, but when I'm not driving (idling) there's no smoke coming out at all. The smoke is enough to stain the rear bumper, and it's a dry white powder (no oil residue from what I can see).

I stuck my finger in the exhaust and there some water there, no oily residue either. My coolant level hasn't dropped either, but I think I might be using a little more fuel than usual.

Do you think there's a correlation between this smoke and the fuel system cleaner I used? The car's a ford focus with 190 000kms on the clock. It's always driven well without any engine issues ever, until now that I've noticed the smoke.

Either way, I probably shouldn't have used this cleaner thing, but that's that.

Thoughts?? Suggestions?
 
"poured it into the tank when my the tank was on E, drove to the garage immediately and filled up to 3/4."

Aren't you supposed to put it in and then fill up at the Garage at the same time?
 
dunkyd said:
Which bottle did you buy and was it sealed ?
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I'll take a pic of it now. Uno momento...

Edit: I just realise I threw it away, but it was a purple metal can for petrol engines
 
Last edited:
catman37 said:
"poured it into the tank when my the tank was on E, drove to the garage immediately and filled up to 3/4."

Aren't you supposed to put it in and then fill up at the Garage at the same time?
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That^^^

You sucked a whole bunch of it into the fuel lines, will burn off after a bit, hopefully without clogging anything.

Don't use additives again.
 
What size fuel tank does your car have ? Normally these additives work on 60 to 70L of fuel.
 
catman37 said:
What size fuel tank does your car have ? Normally these additives work on 60 to 70L of fuel.
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The can said something like "cleans up to 70L", that didn't. My tank is 50/55L. I filled up to 3/4, so about 38L
 
ScottulusMaximus said:
I would fill to max, but if the additive is in the lines, filter and pump already then it's doubtful you'll get much dilution.
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Yeah I think I'll fill up after work. Unfortunately I don't have any long trips planned this weekend. Maybe I should drive to Rustenburg.
 
Fill up with clean fuel then just drive as normal.

It will eventually clear out, no need to try make it happen all at once.
 
No stress OP, you Ford is just doing what all Fords eventually do :p

Jokes aside, it will clear up over the next 1-3 tanks.
 
The best fuel system cleaner on the market

Techron Concentrate
 
3Gee said:
The best fuel system cleaner on the market

Techron Concentrate
Click to expand...
I am very skeptical about anything that you can just pour into your fuel tank that claims to clean your engine. If you want to see any type of tangible result from any off-the-shelf engine internals cleaner, you need to get as much of it into the engine as directly as possible, preferably via the intake manifold.
 
AstroTurf said:
Fill up with clean fuel then just drive as normal.

It will eventually clear out, no need to try make it happen all at once.
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You don't think it causes further damage whilst it remains in the fuel lines at the current high concentrations?

lcbxx said:
No stress OP, you Ford is just doing what all Fords eventually do :p

Jokes aside, it will clear up over the next 1-3 tanks.
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:D It's a good ride around and it's paid off. It's never given me issues. The only engine related thing I've changed is the battery! I'm attached to my Ford :love:

3Gee said:
The best fuel system cleaner on the market

Techron Concentrate
Click to expand...
How often do you use it?
 
b_crazy said:
The can said something like "cleans up to 70L", that didn't. My tank is 50/55L. I filled up to 3/4, so about 38L
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So why on earth would you then fill up to 3/4 only? What was the logic or lack therefore in doing that?

Also I wouldn't be surprised if the can actually says "white smoke may be noticed from exhaust system".

But why did you feel the need to put this in the car in the first place?
 
SauRoNZA said:
So why on earth would you then fill up to 3/4 only? What was the logic or lack therefore in doing that?

Also I wouldn't be surprised if the can actually says "white smoke may be noticed from exhaust system".

But why did you feel the need to put this in the car in the first place?
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You're almost as annoyed with me as I am with myself :(
 
The concentration is bit high but everything should be fine, fill up the tank to dilute it more. Petrol don't stay in the lines. There's a return line to your tank and the petrol in the tank mixes all the time.
 
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