Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Diesel fuel additives

[PGaither]

Whats the scoop with dieselfuel additives? I heard somewhere they are not needed, and basicly a waste of money $$, is that true? Is there annything good out there you guys recomend? Are additives good that promise to raise the Cetane level, prevent gelling, and/or clean the injectors worth spending the money on, or is it just a waste of money? What brand name diesel fuel additives do you guys recomend (if any)? I plan to use Fleetguard Fleet tech additive in the winter, but my Cummins dealer (in Dedham, MA. ) carries nothing for the summer/fall. I get my Diesel fuel from a gas station that a lot of truckers go to in my area (a Citco station I believe), so I assume the gas is good there because they have small, reg. used tanks that are replenished with Diesel fuel everyday.

 

[Bhale]

I always try to get fuel from places that sell a lot of it, ie. where the truckers go. I got some cheap stuff out in Utah back in '96, i mean like . 30/gallon cheaper. 1/2 hour later i had no HP and barely made it to a dealer ship where they drained the fuel and changed the filter. Took 2 more tanks before it was running right again.



As for additives, i don't use any. If i understand correctly, places that sell diesel in colder climates add a anti-gelling something-or-other to the fuel.



155k and never used/needed an additive. .



YMMV



Brian

 

[illflem]

I personally feel additives are a waste on 12 valves, not on 24s though. Cummins says our engines don't need them nor to they recommend them. Won't hurt anything but your wallet though. I use whatever is on sale, usually Howe's or Power Service only in the winter for anti-gel since I run straight #2 year round, never mess with the blended stuff. Over 300k combined miles on my rigs without a problem.

 

[y-knot]

Well I'm for the other side, I use additives. I like the AMSOIL FUEL CONDITIONER, CETANE BOOSTER. I can not say scienticicly weather or not it works as stated, or weather it has or has not add to my engines longevity, and or performance. What I can say is it shure seems to run better when it's in there. I can realy tell when I am pulling heavey, the EGT's stay alittle further down, and it pulls harder. Every time I have and to have it checked (EPA), they always tell me how unusually clean the exhaust is (I always read . 1 ppm, and the limit is 10 ppm) I have never had any trouble, and I hope that continues. I use AMSOIL in everything, from the lawn mower to our other vehicels. I know they work, then I switched from DODGE ATF, to AMSOIL, my trany temps droped 30-40 degrees, nothing else was changed, except for the reduction of friction by the AMSOIL. In our ATV's it really works nicely, there 2-stroke oil doesn't fowl the plugs, and smoke is much less. And the gas octane booster works as well. It's not very often that you actually get to see what products do, chips, injectors, ect, yea you see what they add, but it unusual with fuel additives and lubricants. No I do not represent AMSOIL or any organization, I just like there products. Let me see here, I have used there products in 3 trucks, 1 van, 3 cars, 2 mowers, 2 gen sets, 2 air compressors, 3 quads, 1 dragster (turbocharged and on the healthy diet of nitrous, very hard on engines). None ever had a lubrication issue.

 

[tschwab]

I have been using Stanadyne performance fomula about every 3rd tank. I like it for two reasons:

#1 - It has a cetane booster, which is the equivalent to an octane booster for gas motors.



#2 - Helps keep the injectors clean.



I think I might give the Amsoil a try based on the previous post. Also the trans fluid - was that synthetic transmission fluid?

 

[PGaither]

Thanks....

Thanks, I think I'm going to try the Amsoil fuel cond. cetane boost.



Phil

 

[HEMI®Dart]

I am I big user of Additives. Because it is like night and day without them. We have crappy diesel fuel here in the northeast. If you use a 50 Cetane fuel out of the pump you may not notice a difference. I can noticed a marked difference from plain diesel and one stacked with an additive(s). Smoke is cut by 50%, improved throttle response, engine runs much quietier. My favorites are Amalgamated, Amsoil Cetane Boost & Howes Meaner Power Cleaner.

 

[y-knot]

yes, AMSOIL ATF

 

[illflem]

Originally posted by y-knot

yes, AMSOIL ATF

You're kidding right?

Regular ATF is designed not to burn and will leave damaging ash deposits in your engine. I'm not certain but would assume that synthetic ATF would be even worse.

 

[JohnE]

Originally posted by illflem

You're kidding right?

Regular ATF is designed not to burn and will leave damaging ash deposits in your engine. I'm not certain but would assume that synthetic ATF would be even worse.

I think tshwab & y-not both mean using it in the transmission.



Good point to bring up though in this thread. That old tale comes up many times a year.

ATF as a fuel supplement is BOGUS!

It is an old trucker / logger / farmer's trick to try and pass off use of red fuel in an ON ROAD vehicle.



Red fuel is untaxed diesel fuel with a heavy dye added.

You will read in the papers comments as XYZ company caught with dyed fuel or failed dip test.



We're coming up on sugar beet harvest around here. They regularily dip the tanks of trucks in line at the scales.





Sorry to ramble. That said I use lots of additives in the winter. Winter grade fuel #2 diesel barely hold 50 cetane points. I have to run a good dose of #1 blend due to my Espar, too. All the more reason to use additives.



Local stop is using biodiesel. They only run B5 which is OK. For those running B20 in the winter, an adidtive may be needed. Veg diesel clouds and gels much faster than petroleum diesel.



-John

 

[tschwab]

JohnE is correct about what I meant, sorry if there was any misunderstanding.



NEVER USE transmission FLUID AS AN ADDITIVE WITH YOUR FUEL. I think I'm going to try the Amsoil transmission fluid IN THE transmission for reduced transmission temps. I am also going to try their fuel additive (with diesel fuel) in the fuel tank to see if I notice improved performance vs Stanadyne performance fuel additive.

 

[y-knot]

:--) What he said!

 

[keimmmo]

Additives are like a 1/2 inch box end wrench... it isn't the right tool for every job, but when you need it, there isn't anything better!!!





I use additives when I think they will help with a specific problem. The rest of the time, I save my money.



Steve

 

[Pit Bull]

Had a trucker once at a Truck Stop walk over and look at my shiny new truck and then volunteer the information that I should use Transmission fluid in the fuel to keep the fuel pump lubed and the injectors clean. I knew better but I have alway had a tendency not to listen to people that only have 4-5 teeth in their mouth and have a hard time pronouncing the kings English I think from his attitude that he thought I was new to diesels. So I thought I would make his day and told him that his suggestion sounded like a great idea and would go buy some to add to my fuel tank. I think I made his day I'm sure he later told all of his buddies that he ruined another fuel pump.

 

[WadePatton]

Way back when, I saw a additive chart (at stanadyne i think) and the John Deere stuff was dang near the same stuff. I don't know where to get stanandyne, but there's a JD dealer in every town.



I use the JD stuff 4 out of 5 tanks. I use PowerService if I run out.



I use it for the electric pump mostly.

 

[24V-DSL]

Wade...



I heard that JD is made for them by Stanadyne, but don't know for sure.



Around here, JD dealers get premium prices for everything they sell.



I get my Stanadyne from:



www.dieselpage.com



Case of 6 1/2 gallons (Performance Formula) shipped to my doorstep (Oregon) was $101. 34.

 

[zack_76401]

Anybody try the LUCAS brand fuel additive/injector cleaner? I use powerstuff but noticed a big difference when i put this in the tank..... not big power but more responsive throttle and way less smoke... ... The bottle says for diesel or gas and reads "burns HOT, HOT,HOT" to get your valves and injectors clean..... anyways i was just wonderin if anyone has used it and noticed a big jump on their EGT's?

 

[esommer2500]

I use Lucas in everything from the fuel to the drivetrain. I like it, and get a good price on it since my Dad works at a KW dealership. I really notice a difference in the winter when I run blended fuel.



The oil additive is also really good stuff. It's really stringy and slick as snot. I use their gear lube and trans lube in the drivetrain and have no leaks, and the transmission seems a little more quiet and easier to shift.



FWIW.



Eric

 

[HEMI®Dart]

I bought a case of Lucas's Diesel Fuel additive a few years ago. I personally didn't notice a difference anywhere. That does not mean it was not helping lube the pump.

 

[wsmalley]

I use PowerService almost every tank. I notice a marked improvement in mileage and responsiveness when I use it compared to running just #2. Plus all the lube benefits of upped Cetane numbers.



I highly recommend it