Bell Labs Fuel Treatments - Anyone else using them.

[Mr. PNW]

I’ve been using their original Mix-I-Go since the early 80s. I happened to notice they now have an Ethanol gas treatment version, so I ordered that (instead if Mix-I-Go) and the small engine treatment this time around.
Back then I remember them telling me to carry a couple fuel filters for older cars, during the “cleaning stage” (usually the first few tank fulls), since it really cleans out an old gas tank. Sure enough my old Ford truck stalled before reaching empty on the first tank full, I pulled over, changed the fuel filter and was back in business.

The Mobile station back then also carried it and it was his fuel filter clogging incident on his own vehicle that sold him on the product, plus the couple miles increase per gallon. He told every customer he sold too about the cleaning feature and to carry a fuel filter, LOL. He passed away and the new owner never carried it so I had to buy direct.

The most noticeable results are with small engines. My mowers cut far more grass on a tank, my weed eater and chainsaw stopped having starts issues after sitting all winter and went farther on a tank.

My cars increased in mileage enough to recoup the cost of the treatment. The surfactant (water removal) can be shown by pouring gas into two mason jars, add a little water to each (representing water in a gas tank) and add the treatment to only one jar. Shake both jars vigorously. The non-treated jar will have a bunch of big water bubbles at the bottom while the treated jar will look cloudy with very, very tiny bubbles. I haven’t done this test since gas started having up to 10% ethanol, but I think I’ll try it with the new ethanol version I ordered.

Anyhow here’s some info in case anyone else wants to try it.
https://www.bellperformance.com/
https://www.bellperformance.com/blog/fuel-problems-most-classic-car-owners-face

https://shop.bellperformance.com/
https://shop.bellperformance.com/collections/cars-and-light-trucks
https://shop.bellperformance.com/collections/lawn-and-small-equipment

 

[biomedtechguy]

Thanks for the article.
If you need a replacement fuel filter because the Bell Performance product cleans out (and flocculates?) the trash in the fuel system, that is indeed quite the statement on the product.
I use Sta-Bil Marine 360. I thought I was being smart and took advantage of a great discount on a gallon. Well I didn't see the label on the Sta-Bil that stated a time limit to use the product once opened.
We have a 100% dinosaur gas station less than 5 minutes from the house, 93 octane premium and regular gas, and there's another 100% gas station on the road from the Interstate to the race track. There's a couple on the route of Cruisin the Coast too, so we usually are able to keep our 2 classic cars fueled up with that.

 

[Mr. PNW]

The cleaning agent/fuel filter issue was one of the main reasons you didn’t see Mix-I-Go on store shelves. How many employees would see the product in your cart and ask, ‘how old is your car?’...’when was the last time you changed the fuel filter?’...‘you should get some new ones to keep in your glove box in case they get plugged from the cleaning process.’

The guy at the Mobile station made sure every employee explained this to his customers and therefore had many repeat sales.

I did the same with friends I told about it. Now that all these classic cars are being restored and the fuel tank is one of the first things to be replaced, it’s not such and issue. But it will bring peace of mind knowing it will stay brand new as will everything the fuel comes in contact with.

I think the surfactant is atomizing the water and carrying it into the combustion chamber as mist, which may be one reason for the gas mileage increase. Condensation is always happening in these car tanks and service station tanks, which is one reason they add alcohol to fuel in the first place especially here in wet states.

As I stated I’m trying Ethanol Defense this time due to so much water in our state.

Benefits of Using Mix-I-Go

• Counteracts the effects of ethanol
• Protects against ethanol damage
• Increases mileage (up to 12% or more)
• Improves horsepower
• Reduces harmful emissions
• Removes carbon deposits, gum and varnishes, especially those deposited by ethanol solvency
• Removes and control water in gasoline and ethanol
• Lubricates upper cylinder areas

Benefits of Using Ethanol Defense

• Provides commercial-grade water control to fight water absorption by ethanol
  
• Protects against ethanol damage
• Increases mileage (up to 12% or more)
• Improves horsepower
  
• Removes carbon deposits, gum and varnishes, especially those deposited by ethanol solvency
• Lubricates upper cylinder areas

 

[Mr. PNW]

I forgot to mention Don Garlits used it in the 80s. I wonder if he still does.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Don_Garlits

Update: Awesome I googled his name with Mix-I-Go and Bell had an article.
https://www.bellperformance.com/blog/bid/82840/The-12-Days-of-Mix-I-Go-Day-11-Big-Daddy

 

[PurpleBeeper]

Their formula is similar to Sea Foam. It should remove varnish and likely de-carbonize the combustion chambers

 

[69a100]

No, I haven't and don't use this. But people do rag on me for using STP oil treatment and I can't understand why?

 

[Mr. PNW]

No, I haven't and don't use this. But people do rag on me for using STP oil treatment and I can't understand why?

At least STP is in stores. I can’t tell you how many times people I’ve told about MXO, ends with...so why isn’t it in stores if its so good.

 

[biomedtechguy]

I ran STP oil treatment in my 440 in the 71 Charger R/T I had bought back in 78. I had low oil pressure, and I was 16 years old. A mechanic shop changed the oil pump and rear main seal that was leaking. I blew a head gasket, and had milky oil. I heard it spun a bearing after I sold it. It only had 54,000 miles on it when I bought it, and maybe 60k when I sold it, so it really shouldn't have had bad bearings.
Anyway, the STP was stuck in the top of the valve cover about a week after I had poured it in.

 

[69a100]

Anyway, the STP was stuck in the top of the valve cover about a week after I had poured it in.

That must mean it sticks real good, isn't that the purpose to keep things lubed?

 

[Mr. PNW]

Do Fuel Additives Work?
https://www.bellperformance.com/blog/do-fuel-additives-really-work

Oil Sludge Remover For Cleaner Oil Changes And Longer Engine Life
https://www.bellperformance.com/engine-flush-sludge-remover