Ok so I was looking online for accessories and "essential needs" for my new Mini Cooper Hardtop 2012. I came across this product which is obviously the "Crud-B-Gone" which supposedly cleans your fuel system. Now I like my Mini alot and I like to keep it in top shape. I am an incoming senior in high school and its gonna be my daily driver so I was wondering is it ok if I use the "Crud-B-Gone" every 2000 miles or so just to make sure that I don't have any build up on my engine or would it hurt it? Is it ok to use it just to make sure even though there is really no problem or need? I dont mind spending for my Mini just to maintain in in tip top shape.

 

Good question. Are there any fuel additives that anyone uses? Does it matter if you have an "S" or Justa?

 

BG 44K is the most effective stuff, but also something like $25 per can. However, you only need to add it every 30,000 miles or so.

At my technical school, the instructors have experimented with various fuel system cleaners. They used boroscopes to peer at the backsides of intake valves before and after treatments on several similarly aged and dirtied engines. It was found that BG is the best, with I believe Techron being second, Seafoam third, and Lucas 4th. Coincidentally their findings rank the products by approximate cost as well. But the instructors are firm believers in 'you get what you pay for,' and so am I.

As a side note, if you have an R53, do not use BG Induction System Cleaner or BG Air Intake System Cleaners. It will eat your supercharger rotor coating. Ask me how I know. The BG Fuel Injection System Cleaner and 44K are safe though.

 

+1 on 44K but I throw in a can about every 6 months right in front of a fresh tank of fuel. If you add it at the pump, you'll want a funnel with a long neck on it.

 

Thanks for the info but my car is a Mini Cooper (non S). So are you saying that I only need to add the fuel system cleaner every 30,000 miles/6 months? Sorry I am a noob at this.

 

The stuff 44K gets rid of doesn't care if you drive a justa, an S or a '52 DeSoto. You've got two opinions of how often to use it so you can pick one or the other or something in between. There are no hard and fast rules about additives. What is hard and fast is to pay close attention to fluid levels and refreshing those fluids on a timely basis.
A good resource to have handy in your kit is:
http://soopercooperinfo.com/
It has thousands of links to everything MINI you can think of.