Diesel Additives - POLL

[Dean10]

No one mentioned Amsoil. I've been using amsoil Diesel Conditioner and Cetane Boost for years, along with their Synthetic Oil and Donaldson filters, its one stop shopping. .......3 1/2 years of towing with over 500hp in the 05 Cummins and not one issue.

 

[dirtydodge]

I used to drive a semi in the patch for years and used what ever we found at the fuel stations and some brand from esso we got from the shop . Seemed to work for us , keeping the fuel from gelling up was our biggest thing .
I use howes ?? in my 05 ram (personal)and in my 08 f350(work) , lots of talk about not enough lube in our fuel , and the cold gelling thing , still in the bush eh .
So ya , no problems with my ram or the new ford (yet) ..And if it keeps my truck from crappin out in the middle of nowhere in -40 , i am all for it ..

 

[catzuki]

i use hows. i was using DSG for a while but the hows lasts longer and is cheaper. I think the DSG stuff was good but it was 20/L were hows is 20/2L. No problems lately.

 

[tasco]

I have used GEN 490 available at UFA. I have a couple of cases of the stuff, but always for get to use it.

I don't know if it helps or not. It does make me feel better when I do remember.

I have not had injector or pump problems in any of the Diesels that I curently own or have owned

1993 Chev 1 ton 6.5 turbo Diesel 400 000 km then died of old age
1998 Chev 1 ton 6.5 turbo Diesel 300 000 km still running well but falling appart
2004.5 Chev 3/4 ton d-max 134 000 with Van Aaken chip best truck that I own never let me down yet. I pull a lot of heavy trailers with it

2003 International 7400 with 530 int motor
2003 m class Freightliner some mercedes diesel engine in it

I don't know about this low sulfer thing to much as long, I'll keep my fingers crossed. I do know I won't buy a Gas pot for anything work related

 

[Clem]

I've been using Stanadyne Performance Formula in my 08 F-350 for almost 10,000 Kms with no issues.

The 235 mL "one shot" every fill.

btw: those of you with the 6.4L PSD how's your fuel economy?

 

[BIGFOOT]

I've been using Stanadyne Performance Formula in my 08 F-350 for almost 10,000 Kms with no issues.

The 235 mL "one shot" every fill.

btw: those of you with the 6.4L PSD how's your fuel economy?

I am also using Stanadyne Performance Formula.... Since 1985. Used on my 6.5 Chev & presently using in the Brides Cummins & My Super Duty.Never had any issues todate other than Chev updated injection pump four times in 8 yrs.

 

[tmix]

i use Liquid Muscle buy it from Greggs Dist. is this stuff any good? My truck always sleeps outside i have never had any problems but started to use it about a year ago, have 256L extra fuel tank in box, was worried about condensation...thanks for the good info, let ur SNOW!!!!!

 

[Flange]

i was never too big on the fix it in a bottle i was always a nay say'r until i recently threw a bottle of schaeffers diesel treat in my 04 duramax and the improvements were unbelievable actually the proof i have that it was the product and not my mind playing tricks is i put the stuff it when i filled my tank right before leaving on a road trip then i met up with my buddy and he decided to take the first shift driving while i passed out and had a nap when i woke up he instantly asked if i did anything to my truck since he last drive it (which was 2weeks previous) he then said man its running so smooth and i swear its burning less fuel surprised as hell that he said this i got him to pull over so i could try it out and see for myself and it didnt take me 20 min to feel the full effects of the product i was amazed the truck was running smoother and pulled better off the bottom all the way through the power i run a banks 6 gun with the pda and i tryed it through all six stages and the speed loader and found improvments in all settings we even got about 50km more to the tank and the run we were on i have traveled many times so i know how much fuel i burn on that route

so im now a beliver don't know if all different types will have the same results but the schaeffers diesel treat works wonders i even ran a few bottles in my hoe at work and found it smoothed it right out at start up and idle

 

[700WFO]

Be careful of what you put in your tank! As diesel manufacturers strive to improve their products, you'll notice some changes. Engines are now being made with even tighter tolerances to take advantage of the cleaner fuels being produced today. Fuel filters are 100 times more efficient by filtering down to a particle 1 micron nominal in size. The common cold virus is 1/2 micron in size, so your filter has a 50 percent chance of catching a cold! As ultra low sulfur diesel was introduced, the amount of lubricity additive injected into each load of fuel (prior to delivery for sales) was drastically increased. Lubricity additives were introduced to replace the lubricating properties of sulfur, being cleaner burning and (theoretically) better for the enviroment than sulfur. Adding extra additives to your tank has the ability to be a devil in disguise. Poor quality additives are cloudy because of high particultes and can prematurely plug the fuel filter causing undue wear and strain on the pump system, and even good quality additives can be too much of a good thing. It's just like alcohol, have a few drinks, feel good, too many can lead to a hangover, and beyond that, alcohol poisoning and death. Additives also have detergent properties that can rob engines of their benefits when used in excess, be careful to read the fine print in your warranty when adding extra additives as it can void many engine warranties if they test the fuel. Also once used, additives will leave traces even after several hundred tankfuls of non additized fuel has been run through the system. When in doubt, read "all" the fine print and learn about it!

 

[Canadian Country Cabins]

...................my kobelco 200 excavator is the first diesel ive ever owned.
l put howes in it all year round, it was probably why my fuel didnt gel in the cold spats weve had, also its not a problem with Howes if you are a bit heavy on the additives

 

[tmix]

thanks good info!

 

[BIGFOOT]

Be careful of what you put in your tank! As diesel manufacturers strive to improve their products, you'll notice some changes. Engines are now being made with even tighter tolerances to take advantage of the cleaner fuels being produced today. Fuel filters are 100 times more efficient by filtering down to a particle 1 micron nominal in size. The common cold virus is 1/2 micron in size, so your filter has a 50 percent chance of catching a cold! As ultra low sulfur diesel was introduced, the amount of lubricity additive injected into each load of fuel (prior to delivery for sales) was drastically increased. Lubricity additives were introduced to replace the lubricating properties of sulfur, being cleaner burning and (theoretically) better for the enviroment than sulfur. Adding extra additives to your tank has the ability to be a devil in disguise. Poor quality additives are cloudy because of high particultes and can prematurely plug the fuel filter causing undue wear and strain on the pump system, and even good quality additives can be too much of a good thing. It's just like alcohol, have a few drinks, feel good, too many can lead to a hangover, and beyond that, alcohol poisoning and death. Additives also have detergent properties that can rob engines of their benefits when used in excess, be careful to read the fine print in your warranty when adding extra additives as it can void many engine warranties if they test the fuel. Also once used, additives will leave traces even after several hundred tankfuls of non additized fuel has been run through the system. When in doubt, read "all" the fine print and learn about it!

Ran 2 micron Racor fuel filters on work Diesel engines.... Found they plugged off frequent. Now using 10 micron rating fuel filters. Interested in finding out what OEM fuel filter rating are for the big three Diesels (Dodge,GM & Ford). Going to have to do some research on that unless some here knows.
Hey '700WFO' ... You mention about using poor & good quality additives. What in your opinion is a good quality additive to use. As per note, I have & still to this day using 'Stanadyne Performance Formula' in all my diesel engines (6.5, Cummins & 6.0 Lt). What are your thoughts.... Thks.

 

[CdnWrangler]

Point noted:

Most of the conditioners out there for diesels have alchol in them. I've tried a good percentage of them [Howe's, Kleen Flo, PPFT, Power Service, etc].

I've been around diesel equipment for a long long time (won't say how long) and I've always put fuel conditioner in the tank especially during the winter.

Normally I fuel up a Shell. On February 13/08 I fueled up at Husky (conditioner added), topping off the tank on the 15th just before heading down the road to McBride for some glorious sledding. During the drive I noticed the truck was struggling, fuel economy decreased by half (burnt twice a much diesel as I ought to have, normally 550 to 600 km on half a tank (65L)). Long story short, I ended up changing two fuel filters in McBride (with Lenny's help McBride Autoparts). When the filters were removed, you could physically see the clumps of wax on the filter flutes.

The diesel we're being sold today (even after you factor in all the additives the suppliers are adding) is no where near the same quality with respect to combustion properties as previous products. The oil companies are maximizing their profit margins. So today's diesel is washed, meaning there is just enough diesel left in it so it will burn. This is the same thing they are currently doing to propane and natural gas (ever wonder why you seem to be burning more gas to keep warm & heat your hot water tank). You don't get the same BTU's per unit of product.

End of story, I've started using "4 Plus Artic". There are only a couple of other products on the market of the same calibre. No alchol (alchol negates the effects of lubricity additives) for one thing.
1 liter costs $20 and treats 1800 L of fuel = $0.0111/liter of fuel
(United Diesel, Edmonton is where I got the stuff).

I'll scan the label and post it later today, so you can see the benefits of the product.

Side note: the oil companies are adding an inferior conditioner to their premium diesel for an additional 3 to 4 cents per liter at the pumps "SO DON"T GET SUCKED IN TO BUYING THE PREMIUM DIESEL".

I wouldhave been more inclined to agree with you about not adding conditioner a few years ago (during the summer) but not now with what they're dumping at the pumps!

Be careful of what you put in your tank! As diesel manufacturers strive to improve their products, you'll notice some changes. Engines are now being made with even tighter tolerances to take advantage of the cleaner fuels being produced today. Fuel filters are 100 times more efficient by filtering down to a particle 1 micron nominal in size. The common cold virus is 1/2 micron in size, so your filter has a 50 percent chance of catching a cold! As ultra low sulfur diesel was introduced, the amount of lubricity additive injected into each load of fuel (prior to delivery for sales) was drastically increased. Lubricity additives were introduced to replace the lubricating properties of sulfur, being cleaner burning and (theoretically) better for the enviroment than sulfur. Adding extra additives to your tank has the ability to be a devil in disguise. Poor quality additives are cloudy because of high particultes and can prematurely plug the fuel filter causing undue wear and strain on the pump system, and even good quality additives can be too much of a good thing. It's just like alcohol, have a few drinks, feel good, too many can lead to a hangover, and beyond that, alcohol poisoning and death. Additives also have detergent properties that can rob engines of their benefits when used in excess, be careful to read the fine print in your warranty when adding extra additives as it can void many engine warranties if they test the fuel. Also once used, additives will leave traces even after several hundred tankfuls of non additized fuel has been run through the system. When in doubt, read "all" the fine print and learn about it!

 

[mudboy]

I had issues this past winter with a bad batch of fuel. Ended up using a deisel anti gel / winter additive from NAPA it is their own blen. So far so good seems to work. During the summer it is Howes

 

[couleeman]

I find sugar works good, about a 10 pound bag per tank...

 

[mudboy]

I find sugar works good, about a 10 pound bag per tank...

I guess what ever it takes to SWEETEN up duramax

But all I know is us Dodge owners do not need to do that

 

[CdnWrangler]

Mmmm, that ought to gum things up ......

I find sugar works good, about a 10 pound bag per tank...

 

[Deano670]

CAUTION beware of additives that have a HIGH SOLVENT content. This is extremely tough on pumps and injectors. The best additive in my opinion is ATF. Not only does it lubericate but it burns hot keeping injector nozzles clean and cleans the exhaust runners in the cylinder head of any carbon

MY TWO CENTS

 

[BigRed800]

At The Company I Work We Use Lots Of Additive Its The Same Stuff Petro Can Sells A Co In Reddeer Makes It If You Are Ever Going By They May Give You A Demmonstation Co Name Is Impact 403-302-0110 We Bought Lots It Seemed To Hel[p Our Injector Pumps In Our Light Plants

 

[Washy]

Here is some info I found on Diesel additives that were tested.
Micron improvement is how much it increased the lubricating properties of the fuel. Not published By me. Got it off of a Diesel forum.

In Order Of Performance:

1) 2% REG SoyPower biodiesel
HFRR 221, 415 micron improvement.
50:1 ratio of baseline fuel to 100% biodiesel
66.56 oz. of 100% biodiesel per 26 gallons of diesel fuel
Price: market value

2)Opti-Lube XPD
Multi-purpose + anti-gel
cetane improver, demulsifier
HFRR 317, 319 micron improvement.
256:1 ratio
13 oz/tank
$4.35/tank

3)FPPF RV, Bus, SUV Diesel/Gas fuel treatment
Gas and Diesel
cetane improver, emulsifier
HFRR 439, 197 micron improvement
640:1 ratio
5.2 oz/tank
$2.60/tank

4)Opti-Lube Summer Blend
Multi-purpose
demulsifier
HFRR 447, 189 micron improvement
3000:1 ratio
1.11 oz/tank
$0.68/tank

5)Opti-Lube Winter Blend
Muti-purpose + anti-gel
cetane improver
HFRR 461, 175 micron improvement
512:1 ratio
6.5 oz/tank
$3.65/tank

6)Schaeffer Diesel Treat 2000
Multi-purpose + anti-gel
cetane improver, emulsifier, bio-diesel compatible
HFRR 470, 166 micron improvement
1000:1 ratio
3.32 oz/tank
$1.87/tank

7)Super Tech Outboard 2-cycle TC-W3 engine oil
Unconventional (Not ULSD compliant, may damage 2007 or newer systems)
HFRR 474, 162 micron improvement
200:1 ratio
16.64 oz/tank
$1.09/tank

8)Stanadyne Lubricity Formula
Lubricity Only
demulsifier, 5% bio-diesel compatible, alcohol free
HFRR 479, 157 micron improvement
1000:1 ratio
3.32 oz/tank
$1.00/tank

9)Amsoil Diesel Concentrate
Multi-purpose
demulsifier, bio-diesel compatible, alcohol free
HFRR 488, 148 micron improvement
640:1 ratio
5.2 oz/tank
$2.16/tank

10)Power Service Diesel Kleen + Cetane Boost
Multi-purpose
Cetane improver, bio-diesel compatible, alcohol free
HFRR 575, 61 micron improvement
400:1 ratio
8.32 oz/tank
$1.58/tank

11)Howe’s Meaner Power Kleaner
Multi-purpose
Alcohol free
HFRR 586, 50 micron improvement
1000:1 ratio
3.32 oz/tank
$1.36/tank

12)Stanadyne Performance Formula
Multi-purpose + anti-gel
cetane improver, demulsifier, 5% bio-diesel compatible, alcohol free
HFRR 603, 33 micron improvement
480:1 ratio
6.9 oz/tank
$4.35/tank

13)Used Motor Oil, Shell Rotella T 15w40, 5,000 miles used.
Unconventional (Not ULSD compliant, may damage systems)
HFRR 634, 2 micron improvement
200:1 ratio
16.64 oz/tank
price: market value

14)Lucas Upper Cylinder Lubricant
Gas or diesel
HFRR 641, 5 microns worse than baseline (statistically insignificant change)
427:1 ratio
7.8 oz/tank
$2.65/tank

15)B1000 Diesel Fuel Conditioner by Milligan Biotech
Multi-purpose, canola oil based additive
HFRR 644, 8 microns worse than baseline (statistically insignificant change)
1000:1 ratio
3.32 oz/tank
$2.67/tank

16)FPPF Lubricity Plus Fuel Power
Multi-purpose + anti-gel
Emulsifier, alcohol free
HFRR 675, 39 microns worse than baseline fuel
1000:1 ratio
3.32 oz/tank
$1.12/tank

17)Marvel Mystery Oil
Gas, oil and Diesel fuel additive (NOT ULSD compliant, may damage 2007 and newer systems)
HFRR 678, 42 microns worse than baseline fuel.
320:1 ratio
10.4 oz/tank
$3.22/tank

18)ValvTect Diesel Guard Heavy Duty/Marine Diesel Fuel Additive
Multi-purpose
Cetane improver, emulsifier, alcohol free
HFRR 696, 60 microns worse than baseline fuel
1000:1 ratio
3.32 oz/tank
$2.38/tank

19)Primrose Power Blend 2003
Multi-purpose
Cetane boost, bio-diesel compatible, emulsifier
HFRR 711, 75 microns worse than baseline
1066:1 ratio
3.12 oz/tank
$1.39/tank

CONCLUSIONS:

Products 1 through 4 were able to improve the unadditized fuel to an HFRR score of 460 or better. This meets the most strict requirements requested by the Engine Manufacturers Association.
Products 1 through 9 were able to improve the unadditized fuel to an HFRR score of 520 or better, meeting the U.S. diesel fuel requirements for maximum wear scar in a commercially available diesel fuel.
Products 16 through 19 were found to cause the fuel/additive blend to perform worse than the baseline fuel. The cause for this is speculative. This is not unprecedented in HFRR testing and can be caused by alcohol or other components in the additives. Further investigation into the possibilities behind these poor results will investigated.
Any additive testing within +/- 20 microns of the baseline fuel could be considered to have no significant change. The repeatability of this test allows for a +/- 20 micron variability to be considered insignificant.