In the 10 years I owned my 95 and the 7 years I've owned my current 05, I have never used fuel additives. For one, the Owners Manual says not to, For two, what good does it do? Until someone can show me some concrete proof that additives do any good, I will continue to not use any.
I've never had an engine problem with either truck, both of which I ordered new.
really i cannot provide any concrete proof that it is better. i would love to but i dont have the equipment to do that. as far as the owners manual and the manufacturer, i take their advice and generally throw it out the window. i have come across too many situations where the manufacurer or some other "authority" was wholy and completly wrong.
as for using a fuel additive, if you dont want to use it than dont. im not talking to you. im not saying you have to or even should use it. i am only relaying personal experience with the brands i have used and the results there of. i am also trying a new approach with pure canola oil as i have been posting about. again if you dont want to use it thats fine, gharmen has asked for me to post my reults, so i have, i have also provide some research information for his own veiwing so he can come to his own decision on it. the only reason why i am posting it vs sending him a pm or email is for the benifit of anyone else who might like to know the results. tdr is a public forum for sharing personal experiences and information reguarding our trucks. if you have had success by running nothing than keep doing it, if it aint broke dont fix it.
I am not familiar with the differences between your Cummins and the 1st Gen fuel systems. However, all mechanical systems require lubricant. I have found that it works. Subjective? Yes! I am nobody and have no credentials. You do what is right for you!
GregH
the major difference is the rotary pump on the 1st gen and the inline pump on the second gen. major difference between the two is the rotary is lube only by the fuel. in the inline pump the top half of the pump is lubed with fuel, and the bottom half is lubed by engine oil. as far lubrication goes, you are right all mechanical systems need lubrication from the fuel. i would also extend that to all diesel type fuel systems need lubrication, even the latest and greatest systems will benifit from increased lubrication. an old saying we had when i was in school was "everything goes together better with lube", there is a lot of truth to that. a general rule of thumb is you cannot have to much lubrication. there are exceptions to that, the first one that comes to mind is limited slip diffs, too much friction modifier and they stop working. there are others too but i cant think of them off the top of my head.
If your trying to sell me on the use of some kind of cleaner/ lube you dont have to im sold on the use of it have been for some time now. I tried different kinds but am sold on Amalgamated. My Son has used it for a long time also when he had new BIGGER injectors put in at Cummins shop some of the mechanics started to use it also. If others have not used it and have had luck not using it great but I just like to know that it's in there. The aux tank sender sends me a note IT WILL CLEAN. Working in the Gas Biz for so long Ive seen the NASTY crap that's in fuel tanks some care some dont. just a little side note not all gas passers (truck drivers) give a rat's A** about draining all the GAS from the load before.
honestly i am not trying to sell anyone on using brand A over brand B, and really im not even trying to sell anyone on using any brand at all. as i commented before your fuel sending unit example is indeed a sign that your brand of additive is at least cleaning the fuel system. is it doing anything else i have no idea, if you like it than stay with it. amalgamated looks to me like a company that knows what they are doing and sells a quality and effective product. i really like that it can be custom tailored to your specific needs.
as i already mentioned, these forums are for sharing information about what works and what doesnt. i mentioned that i personaly was going to try a percentage of biofuel as an additive for my truck, my reason being based on the results from a study posted by someone here. gharman kindly cautioned me about its use, it was informative and helpful. i did some digging and found some fairly solid info(it was internet and therefore cannot be trusted completly), i applied my knowledge and background to that information, and am now trying it out to see if my theory holds up to reality. i am posting this information specifically because ghaman said he was interested in the results, and in the spirit of tdr i am sharing them publicly for anyone else who might be interested. i am going to state at this point too, i am not posting absolute facts. i have no concrete proof as to what is happening. i am simply stating my observations, as thoroughly, honestly, and completly as possible. i am also not making any claims as to what i will do for someone elses truck, only what it is doing to mine and that it MIGHT do the same for someone else. the only credentials that i have to offer towards my testing is that i have been trained as a mechanic and worked professionally for 5 years, also i am studing for a b. a. in mechanical engineering.
ok my rant is over, now we can get back to the science.
Attention: TDR Forum Junkies 
. , for fuel! GregH
Unlike some I wont even remember what was said in 5 min.
