Redex - Con or not?

[Ingah]

I'm considering buying some redex in an attempt to improve currently poor fuel consumption (i've tried all the obvious things like air filter and spark plugs etc). Am i completely wasting my money or could it do *some* good?

I'm using a 1995 CB500 that's done about 48K miles (well used) and i have my doubts about how well it's been looked after by previous owners (i've done alot of repairs in a short time...). It's got a carburettor so i was thinking of using that type of redex.

[Guest]

its good stuff. Ive used it for years. Warm the bike. Remove the spark plugs. Pour in about a double measure (sorry i compare many things to booze) leave it in forty mins. Plugs back in and fire it up. Use the guide on the bottle and mix some with your fuel. You will see an improvement. What are you currently getting miles per tank ? And how big is the tank ?

[Pete]

Remove sparks? Pour in a double measure? What's going on? Redex is a fuel additive, not to be chucked down the cylinders ! Or it doesn't say that on the back anyway. I've seen videos on YouTube of people pouring similar stuff into the engine and plumes of white smoke come out - "oh look at all that stuff coming out and how clean it will be" - is that not because it's just burning the fuel additive!? Also, if you chuck it down the spark plug hole then it'll bypass the carbs :?

Personally I've never put it down the spark plug hole(s). I have used it many a time before though and it does seem to work. I usually chuck half a bottle into the petrol tank before I fill up (so it mixes nicely) and do the same on the next fill up.

However...if you're not sure about just how gummed up the carbs may be it might be worth taking them out for inspection and giving them a proper spruce up with some carb cleaner spray. If they're gummed up then Redex will shift some of it, but may leave some stubborn bits behind that will only go with dedicated carb cleaner.

[steer_rally]

I know years ago Redex bottles used to have instructions to the effect of pouring some down the spark plug holes then replacing the plugs and running the engine. Apparently it would clean carbon deposits from the piston face. Tried it once in an old Fiesta, made huge clouds of smoke for about 15 minutes. Can't really remember if it made any difference to the engine performance, but didn't do any harm

[Guest philgale]

make your own mind up.....but its a load of bollox

">

[Pete]

I know years ago Redex bottles used to have instructions to the effect of pouring some down the spark plug holes then replacing the plugs and running the engine. Apparently it would clean carbon deposits from the piston face. Tried it once in an old Fiesta, made huge clouds of smoke for about 15 minutes. Can't really remember if it made any difference to the engine performance, but didn't do any harm

 

I stand corrected! Mind you it doesn't mention sparks on the back these days...never the less I still only put it in the fuel and have seen improvements.

Phil I've watched only 20 seconds of that video until I realised they're all octane boosters not fuel system cleaners. The octane boosters work fabulously if you're in a country such as India where you get about 3 octane (bit of an exageration!) compared to ours which is up in the 90s. True, octane boosters are pretty much useless in the UK.

I shall now watch the rest of the video because I like Fifth gear

[TC]

I used it years ago in a car. But a mechanic told me it ends up gumming up your engine

[Roadtorque]

Think you have to beware of pouring anything in plug holes, I suspect the volume of the liquid poured in the plug hole will be the same as increasing the compression ratio, too much & I think there's a very good chance you could blow something with the first swing of the engine,, I don't know what it say's on the bottle/tin these days but it used to say something like feed 2ozs of redex through the carb inlet with the rev's at about 1000,,,,,don't do it in a garage & expect large clouds of white smoke,,,,

But to be honest in this day & age with green fuel & modern hi tech engines I don't think it's worth the bother,,,,,,

[Guest]

ive been using it since the 80's, it actually told you to hold rags over the plug holes and turn the engine over to expell the redex prior to re fitting the plugs. Yes its smokey but on a dirty engine you will feel a power increase within three miles of starting it. Thats a fact.

[hurtank]

it cleans alot of crap out the engine and will help your tank hold a bigger amount. the amount of crap that collects in the bottom of a tank i believe disolves in the solution in redex and comes out the back of the bike in a pretty grey "health" smoke the stuff will do wanders for any bike in my opinion. even brand new bikes and this stuff will help in the long run

[Colin the Bear]

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z28/Colin_the_bear/hohoho.gif

will help your tank hold a bigger amount.

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z28/Colin_the_bear/hohoho.gif

 

the amount of crap that collects in the bottom of a tank

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z28/Colin_the_bear/rotfl4.gif

[Guest]

i'd get an inline filter.. stops any bits getting to the carbs.. cost £2.99 motorworld..

and its doubtful the carbs are gummed with that mileage as its not been stood... maybe get them balanced (pair)

[Ingah]

I have already had the carbs balanced (on them being inspected they were clearly so close to sync'ed that the mechanic said there's no point making even the slightest alteration as he would probably overshoot it and then they'll be more out

Inline [fuel] filter? I'll probably get one of those as it sounds really useful.

I think i will use the redex (as the manufacter's instructions say on the side - don't want to go wrecking anything) as i'm thinking for an old engine, with an old design like the CB500, it may help. And if it does help my MPG it'll more than pay for itself in no time.

Only other thing i can think of with my bike is that i have no idea if the valve clearances have been done (ever). It's on my to-do list somewhere near the bottom (as it involves paying for someone else's labour). I don't suppose this could affect MPG?

[Guest]

i'd get an inline filter.. stops any bits getting to the carbs.. cost £2.99 motorworld..

and its doubtful the carbs are gummed with that mileage as its not been stood... maybe get them balanced (pair)

 

I agree, and in addition i'd get a new air filter and check the valve clearences.