MR2 Roadster Owners Club

The Workshop => Maintenance, Problems & Troubleshooting => Topic started by: AckersMR2 on September 26, 2013, 18:33

Title: Regain your lost BHP?
Post by: AckersMR2 on September 26, 2013, 18:33
Wasn't sure whether to post this in Performance or Maintenance as technically it's getting back BHP you've lost rather than increasing it?

Anyhow, anyone see this weeks 5th Gear? They said there's a saying that on average a car loses 1bhp per year and to test this they took a 1995 Corardo VR6 which as new had, so VW claimed, 190bhp and the car now had 177.5bhp.
Firstly they added a bottle of Redex to the fuel to clear out the fuel lines and filters, ran it for a week and gained 6bhp!!!
Next oil, filter and air filter change, another 2bhp.
Finally plugs and leads and nearly a further 3bhp resulting in a total 11.2bhp increase.

To summarise they said if your on a budget for a fiver for a bottle of Redex will give you the greatest gain.

I'd say the other gains are very dependant on how well you look after your engine but the cleaning of the fuel system is probably something that is often overlooked?
Title: Re: Regain your lost BHP?
Post by: ray835 on September 26, 2013, 19:06
now if you came up with something to regain ones youth yo'ud be on to a winner   s:D :D s:D    s:D :D s:D
Title: Re: Regain your lost BHP?
Post by: Jay67 on September 26, 2013, 19:08
Quote from: "ray835"now if you came up with something to regain ones youth yo'ud be on to a winner   s:D :D s:D    s:D :D s:D
could try drinking the Redex?
Title: Re: Regain your lost BHP?
Post by: Jandaw on September 26, 2013, 19:15
You regain your youth by simply buying a Roadster. You maintain your youth by keeping it.

I bought mine last year just before my 75 th and now I'm 10 years younger! And I'll keep on unwinding the years.

Redex. Huh!
Title: Re: Regain your lost BHP?
Post by: tomaky on September 26, 2013, 19:41
Thats the way Jandaw!
Title: Re: Regain your lost BHP?
Post by: ray835 on September 26, 2013, 21:37
tom you shouldn't have one yet until 2040   s:lol: :lol: s:lol:
Title: Re: Regain your lost BHP?
Post by: tomaky on September 26, 2013, 21:44
Haha i feel 65 if it makes it more believable  s;) ;) s;)
Title: Re: Regain your lost BHP?
Post by: AndyM on September 26, 2013, 22:07
Watched this last night as well Ackers and thought I might put a bottle of Redex through it and see how it goes. I'm just ordering another 5l of oil, filter and air filter cleaning kit for a bit of pre-winter TLC so it's as good a time as any.
Title: Re: Regain your lost BHP?
Post by: Two's Company on September 26, 2013, 22:23
I watched it before and wondered whether cleaning all the crap out of the fuel system and burning it in through the engine could do some damage?
Title: Re: Regain your lost BHP?
Post by: swampy_donkey on September 26, 2013, 22:42
I'll give some RedEx a go tomorrow! Are there different types? (I know there are petrol and diesel, but are there different petrol formulas?)
Title: Re: Regain your lost BHP?
Post by: swampy_donkey on September 27, 2013, 07:13
I'm going to try this http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_738853_langId_-1_categoryId_255221 over the weekend. Are there any other recommendations?
Title: Re: Regain your lost BHP?
Post by: Jandaw on September 27, 2013, 08:22
"Doesn't harm oxidizing catalysts" it says in the above link.

But, as the original Redex was sold by the shot as an upper cylinder lubricant I think I'll leave petrol additives to the distillers. I'm not sure the VW Corrado in the feature had a cat and I've removed my precats but if oil + cat = problems then why risk it.

Has that put the cat amongst the pigeons?  (no pun intended)
Title: Re: Regain your lost BHP?
Post by: evileye_wrx on September 27, 2013, 09:40
Would redex have the same effect as V Power?
Title: Re: Regain your lost BHP?
Post by: tomaky on September 27, 2013, 10:22
simmilar as far as im aware it makes your fuel a higher octane and has the same cleaning affects but just in a higher concentration, am i right?
Title: Re: Regain your lost BHP?
Post by: andyhull on September 27, 2013, 14:39
been about years Redex, its good stuff. The regular maintenance of your 2 should keep from a drop in BHP, its standard stuff surely ?
Title: Re: Regain your lost BHP?
Post by: AndyM on September 27, 2013, 17:17
Grabbed a bottle of the 'Petrol injector' version at lunch, will run it through with the next tank of fuel.
Title: Re: Regain your lost BHP?
Post by: mrzwei on September 27, 2013, 18:15
Interesting.
As said, it has been around for years (like me   s:D :D s:D  ). Originally marketed as an 'upper cylinder lubricant' and the petrol pump attendant would try to sell you a couple of squirts from the gun at each fill up at 1p (old money) a squirt.

If you read the Halfords / RedEx blurb: 'Redex petrol treatment helps stop harmful deposits building up in the carburettor (what the hell is that?) and in the fuel system which can reduce a vehicles performance'.

So basically it's a system cleaner designed to reduce carbon and gum build up so it's a good thing but you will need to use a 250ml bottle every two refills, you can't stop using it if you want the best effect.

For me, something like Shell V Power will get the same, if not better result, plus if your ecu is tuned for the higher octane then you will get not just catch up but a real performance gain.

I'm going to give the Redex a go on my old camper van (with carb).
Title: Re: Regain your lost BHP?
Post by: Markb on September 28, 2013, 00:34
The green label Redex is for newer fuel injection cars......the original red label is for older carburettor cars,whether its any different i don't know.
Title: Re: Regain your lost BHP?
Post by: Bernie on September 28, 2013, 10:29
I have used in the past on my previous 2 BG44K
and it worked well

Got it from powerenhancer uk
Title: Re: Regain your lost BHP?
Post by: shep1975 on September 28, 2013, 12:24
A friend of mine told me about that programme the other day. Put some redex in and may do an oil and filter change today. I don't have a new sump plug and washer though so might wait till I do. Anyone recommend some good high tension leads?
Title: Re: Regain your lost BHP?
Post by: normanh on September 29, 2013, 19:22
Shep - we dont have HT leads on the 2 we use individual coilpacks fired by 12 volt pulses by the emu.

Norman
Title: Re: Regain your lost BHP?
Post by: shep1975 on September 29, 2013, 20:26
Quote from: "normanh"Shep - we dont have HT leads on the 2 we use individual coilpacks fired by 12 volt pulses by the emu.

Norman

Cool. Learned something new today. Thanks!
Title: Re: Regain your lost BHP?
Post by: MR2-MIKE on September 30, 2013, 20:03
Sorry to butt in chaps, any of you gents watch wheeler dealers?

This came up a few episodes ago

 m http://www.terraclean.co.uk/terraclean%20history.html (http://www.terraclean.co.uk/terraclean%20history.html) m

I believe it is around £90 but judging by the reviews/testimonials it seems to be worth it, thinking of getting it done quite soon so will post results  :-) :-) :-)
Title: Re: Regain your lost BHP?
Post by: normanh on September 30, 2013, 23:23
Been discussed before on the forum here think most believed it to be snake oil!!!!! I certainly dont believe it.


Norman
Title: Re: Regain your lost BHP?
Post by: trickyD on October 10, 2013, 08:24
I used a bottle of STP complete fuel system cleaner and it temporarily resolved my lazy start but it's sneaking back in.
I presume it hasn't completely removed but just dislodged some crap?
It definitely makes a difference though!
Title: Re: Regain your lost BHP?
Post by: jinxedkitten on October 10, 2013, 08:40
Quote from: "normanh"Shep - we dont have HT leads on the 2 we use individual coilpacks fired by 12 volt pulses by the emu.
I thought a clutch actuating badger was amusing, but an emu too? And I've never seen it lay a single egg :/

Last time I mentioned redex on here, lots of people yelled at me and told me it was like putting paint stripper through your engine, so I never mentioned it since, but personally, I always chucked some in every now and then on my previous cars and it never seemed to do them any harm!
Title: Re: Regain your lost BHP?
Post by: trickyD on October 10, 2013, 08:59
+1
Title: Re: Regain your lost BHP?
Post by: AndyM on October 10, 2013, 10:14
Done one full tank of Redex (and just put the rest in a new tank).

No noticeable difference to be honest but the car felt good in the first place.
Title: Re: Regain your lost BHP?
Post by: spit on October 10, 2013, 10:36
Slight drift as i know we're talking about getting some horses back, but don't forget, peeps, that offloading the rubbish you carry around with you goes a long way towards putting the fun back.

Off-drift: if you're serious about this, why not have your injectors ultrasonically cleaned. A reputable firm will de-crud them, test flow rates and get the optimum spray pattern back. Considering the cycles these little gadgets go through over the years, its worth doing IMO.
Title: Re: Regain your lost BHP?
Post by: dj2k21 on October 10, 2013, 11:05
Just to jump in with regards to terraclean. I was having an mot done on one of my cars about 2 months ago and there was a diesel chrysler pt cruiser having an mot too, you know those god awful looking things that should be banned for offending people's eyes!
Well the smoke that come out of the exhaust was insane! So they decided to terraclean it. I think they ran it on the chemical for about 45 mins or so then removed the machine.  The guy got back in the car and revved it and omg! Not a single bit of black smoke what so ever. He asked the lady owner to take it for a spin so she did and come back and said infront of everyone she didn't realise how fast the car was. She said it felt brand new! So although I have not driven a car myself thats had it done the look snd expression on her face said it all. Perhaps its much more noticeable on a diesel turbocharged car where alot more torque would be freed up but I have no doubt it worked for her.
Title: Re: Regain your lost BHP?
Post by: AckersMR2 on October 10, 2013, 15:16
Quote from: "spit"Slight drift as i know we're talking about getting some horses back, but don't forget, peeps, that offloading the rubbish you carry around with you goes a long way towards putting the fun back.

What like the Mrs?  s;) ;) s;)   s:lol: :lol: s:lol:
Title: Re: Regain your lost BHP?
Post by: mrzwei on October 10, 2013, 17:12
 s:lol: :lol: s:lol:  

In the words of Colin Chapman, 'Simplify, then add lightness'.