Do I really need to use a fuel additive in my Cummins?

[BushWakr - RIP]

Technically, according to Cummins/DC you do not need to run any extra additive.

However, you should consider the following... .

The VE injection pump used on all the 1st Gen trucks are cooled and lubricated solely by fuel.

So for the purposes of lubrication alone, it would make sense to use an additive to improve lubricity let alone anti-gelling, cetane improvement and more.



I always use an additive of one sort or another with my preference being either Amalgamated #15, Stanadyne Performance Formula (SPF), Howes Meaner Power Cleaner, Lubrications Engineers etc.



Bob.

 

[dpuckett]

Cummins and DC say no, it's not needed... BUT... .

Our injection pumps (VE pump) is cooled AND lubed by fuel ONLY... so, should you use an additive?? What would you do...

But, stay away from conditioners having alcohol, or claiming to "replace sulfur. " True, the low sulfur fuel has less lubricity than its off-road cousin, but it has nothing to do with sulfur itself as a lubricating agent. The process used to remove sulfur (hydrotreating?) also removes lubricity from the fuel. But, new injection systems (not our relatively archaic VE systems) are being designed to run on low and ulra-low sulfur fuel.



Alcohol is abrasive to the pump and injectors- it mixes with water, and has the same damaging effects of water.



ATF doesnt make a good injector cleaner; in fact it will coke up your injectors pretty fast. Dont ask how I know. It will do nothing to add lubricity, neither will 2 cycle engine oil. The lubricity referred to is on a microscopic level, and has to do with the physical makeup of the molecules and how they bond, not how well it slides through your fingers.



Daniel

 

[REldridge]

I have a 1991 1/2. I use Amsoil Diesel Fuel Modifier all the time. Just 1 oz. to 5 gallons. Keeps entire fuel system and injectors clean. Also Amsoil Cetane Booster. Between the two my engine is quieter and smoother running. Also as you know with these underpowered engine we need help. The Cetane Booster DOES make a power difference.

Bob Eldridge

 

[banzaitoyota]

I run B5 BIODIESEL Mix...

Keep in mind that the Bosch VE pump is cooled and lubricated solely by the fuel passing thru it...

It can't hurt to have some added lubricity, detergent, and cetane boosters in that fuel.

It could extend the life of that pump noticably... particularly since we are pushing the pumps to extreme levels.