Techron vs Gumout vs SeaFoam: Which Cleaner Works The Best
Which is best? That is the age-old question when comparing competing products that do the same thing. Some brands do have an edge over their competitors simply because they use better ingredients. They also do not cut corners in their manufacturing.
Techron is one of the better products to use but SeaFoam seems to be a very close second. There are other top competitors that keep the field very competitive so you won’t lose no matter which of the top brands you select.
To learn more about these products, just continue to read our article. It has the information you want to know about so you can select the best injector cleaner for your vehicle. Take a few minutes to see how this information helps you make a better purchasing decision.
Techron vs Gumout vs SeaFoam
Why do You Need a Fuel Injector Cleaner?
This may be a question many vehicle owners ask. They may have the idea that modern technology has overcome many of the problems that came with the traditional carb fuel system.
Unfortunately, that is not the case. No matter how well the injectors were made, they still can get clogged by carbon and other deposits. That means that while you may not need a carb cleaner any more, you still need an injector cleaner to keep your fuel system clean and clear.
There are a lot of top injector cleaner products n the market today. You will find that some will be consistently on the top best lists while others only make a casual appearance.
Most of the cleaners will work as advertised, it is just that some are better than others. Then others are more popular and many vehicle owners simply pick up a brand because that is the only one they have heard about.
What this comparison hopes to do is provide far more information so you can make a better choice when you are at the auto parts stores.
Gumout vs SeaFoam
In this comparison, just compare the features of both products. They both have strong and weak points so buying one over the other may not make any difference as your injectors will get cleaned either way.
1. Seafoam
- can stabilize fuel for up to 2 years
- registered with the EPA and can help stop future carbon build-up
- works with crankcase oil to liquefy deposits and harmful residue
- can be added to any fuel blend
- clean all sorts of injectors, jets, passageways, pistons, and cylinders
- works with both gas and diesel engines
- resists evaporation, preserving ignition vapors, and preventing the formation of gum and varnish
- only contains petroleum-based ingredients
2. Gumout
- supposed to maximize fuel efficiency and increase HP
- helps reduce emissions and prevents future carbon build-up
- helps protect against corrosion
- helps extend key engine parts' lifespans
- cleans ports and any fuel injectors, intake valves, ports, pistons, and combustion chambers
- works with engines that have forced induction
- helps restore your injectors to like new condition
- affordable
Both products are to be used every 3000 miles and you are to use all of the Gumout before you add more to your fuel tank. At Amazon, 91% of confirmed users gave Gumout 4 or 5 stars while 96% did the same for Seafoam.
Is Gumout or Sea Foam Better?
In a head-to-head comparison, it looks like Seafoam is the better of the two products. But it would be close as both products perform in different ways. The Gumout line is an oxygen sensor-safe option that makes sure gunk is cleaned out of your fuel system.
Plus, it is supposed to help you start your vehicle better. Yet, Seafoam dissolves gunk so it is taken out of your system. It also helps improve fuel mileage as Gumout does.
What tips the scales in Seafoam’s favor, is that it is EPA-approved and it helps lubricates your fuel system so it is protected. The fact it can stabilize your fuel for up to two years is another factor in its favor.
If you are just talking about cleaning the injectors, then the two products are basically equal. The added benefits these products come with are the elements you need to look at to see which one is better. Seafoam has more of those extra elements which puts it ahead of Gumout.
The key to using either product would be to follow instructions and not to add more cleaner than you need. They both will thin out your oil if you add too much.
Can You Use Sea Foam and Gumout Together?
This may be possible but you may not have to do it. We read the labels and other reviews and no one has stated that you cannot use the two cleaners together. We also read warnings and none of the warnings stated that it cannot be combined with other cleaners.
With that said, why would you want to? Both cleaners will clean out your injectors over time and should be used every 3000 miles. You can put one can of Gumout in your tank just before you fill up. Then, per the company's instruction, add 21 more gallons of fuel.
After you have done that, run that tank of gas out before refueling and adding more Gumout. At this stage, you could add Seafoam or do it in reverse. Since both products do the same work, using them together should not be a big problem.
Also, both products have similar ingredients with Gumout having about 2 or 3 more than Seafoam. But those extra ingredients do not stop you from using Seafoam because the 3 ingredients in that product are included in Gumout.
The extra 2 or 3 ingredients are compatible with Seafoam ingredients. There should not be any problem using both at the same time but make sure first.
Is There Anything Better Than Sea Foam?
We checked a few top best lists and while Seafoam is listed on at least one of them, there are better cleaners listed above their position on that list. Here are some of those ‘better’ products:
1. Chevron Techron Concentrate Plus Fuel System Cleaner
This is a brand that is often recommended by automakers for their customers to use. Its versatility is what makes it stronger than others. You can use it in two-stroke engines as well as most 4 wheel vehicles.
It will clean and restore the entire fuel system, including the fuel injectors, intake valves, and combustion chambers, and like other products, it should be used every 3000 miles.
This product has reached the top positions on the top best lists and it is very popular.
2. Red Line Complete SI-1 Fuel System Cleaner (60103)
This is Chevron’s main competitor as the two products switch positions on those top best lists. While its competitors use the same chemicals and ingredients, this brand has its own patented formula that cleans those injectors.
The company claims it will lubricate the upper part of the cylinders as well as remove any need for high-octane fuel. All you need is one bottle per tank of gas and it is designed to work with all engine types and vehicles.
3. Royal Purple Max-Clean Fuel System Cleaner and Stabilizer (11722)
This product may be a bit more expensive but it too comes highly recommended. Once in your tank, it will reduce the emissions of your vehicle, helping it run smoothly and even improving the power and mileage.
The company claims you should see about a 3.2% increase in fuel mileage as well as a 2.6% HP gain when you use this product regularly. As a bonus, it also helps stabilize your stored fuel for a short time, just like Sea Foam does.
4. Liqui Moly Jectron Fuel Injection Cleaner
This is a product designed more for older engines than newer ones. It has the blessing of the Technical Inspection Association in Germany which tells you it is the safest cleaner to use in your car or truck.
While it is safe for oxygen sensors and catalytic converters, it can only be used with gasoline engines. But it is also supposed to be one of the fastest working cleaners with the supposed results after only 1000 miles of use.
You are to get smoother idling, better throttle response, and cleaner combustion when you use this product.
Gumout vs Techron
These two brands are on every top best list we have checked so far. Usually, Chevron’s Techron is at the top of the list while Gumout is struggling in the middle of the pack on those same lists.
One of the differences between these two products is that Techron uses Unique Polyether Anime (PEA) ingredients that have it doing a top cleaning job every time you use it. If Gumout contains PEA then it may have licensed that ingredient from Chevron.
Techron is supposed to remove carbon deposits and harmful rust while Gumout seems to be restricted to removing gum and varnish buildup. Then Gumout is supposed to have a built-in carbon inhibitor, while Techron is a great corrosion resistance.
Another difference would be the price. It is said that Gunmout is more expensive than Techron and probably one of the more expensive cleaners you can buy. Techron is said to be affordable.
Gumout has been around since 1941 and is owned by ITW Global Brands company. Techron is owned by Chevron one of the biggest energy providers in the world.
While both products are very effective independent testing has shown that Techron s the superior product. It was proven that Techron was the most effective injector cleaner with a 66% improvement in fuel economy and a 99% reduction in emissions.
Which Fuel Injection Cleaner Works The Best?
If the top best lists and independent lists are correct, then the best injector cleaner would be Techron. You have seen its stats in the previous section and they are very impressive.
The one injector cleaner brand that comes close to Techron would be the Red Line brand. In those independent tests between Gumout and Techron the former only had this level of improvement- a 43% improvement in fuel economy and a 94% reduction in emissions.
We do not have stats for Sea Foam or the other cleaners mentioned above. Chevron has also made Techron for diesel engines. Diesel owners can get their injectors cleaned using the same product.
How do you Know When you Have Clogged Injectors?
The upcoming signs that tell you that there is a problem with your engine’s injectors, will also tell you it is time to consider one of these brands. Your engine’s performance will be a very big sign and you will also notice one or all of the following:
- Engine misfirings
- Rough idling
- Poor gas mileage
- Dancing tachometer needle
- Your vehicle’s engine has simply died
While Liqui Moly Jectron Fuel Injection Cleaner says you can see results in roughly the first 1000 miles of use, not all cleaners will work that fast. Usually, you have to use the cleaner every 3000 miles to get the best results.
There is a difference between injectors and fuel system cleaners. The former option works only on those vehicles with modern engines and has injectors. The latter system works on those older vehicles that only have carbs under the hood.
The injector cleaners are usually solvent based while the fuel system cleaners are usually detergent based.
Some Additional Words
When you want to get your injectors cleaned at a reasonable and affordable price, check out the different injector cleaner brands. Compare prices, engine types, and ingredients to find the best option for your vehicle's clogged injectors.
Follow the instructions carefully so you get the best results and hopefully boost your HP as well as your fuel efficiency. The best of the bunch seems to be Techron although some other brands are almost as good as that Chevron product.
