Ever fill your fuel filter canister with fuel conditioner?

[GWS]

I read a post somewhere about someone promoting their line of diesel fuel conditioners. The promo involved an emissions test of your vehicle and documentation of all the numbers. Next, the fuel filter canister was drained and prefilled with pure conditioner. Then the engine was allowed to run again and the emissions test was repeated, presumably showing much cleaner numbers. Obviously this is somewhat hokey, since in real life, the conditioner would be much more diluted. However, it does raise some important questions. 1. Is this practice safe? If so, then it can be used when changing filters, instead of prefilling with diesel fuel. 2. Can this be an effective method of periodically cleaning the injectors?

 

[DennyDay]

Last time I changed my fuel filter I didn't have enough fuel on hand to fill the canaster, I looked long and hard at the $12/gal fuel conditioner before I took my wifes car and drove 10 miles to get a gallon of fuel. There is probably no harm in running pure additive, but I just didn't feel good about doing it. Some on may come back and tell us they have had no problem with this method. We both may learn something!

 

[Sky]

Thats what i do. Everytime I change my filter i fill it back up with Howes treatment. Doesnt hurt it at all, if anything its better. IMO Someone correct me if im wrong?

 

[Archive]

I don't know if this practice is good or bad, but I would not do it until I saw some test results on lubricity of the fuel treatment. It would have to be equal to/greater than the lubricity of old #2, or I would not do it.

Don't forget that the diesel "lubes" our VP44s as it goes thru them!

 

[J.V.]

Fuel filter change

More than one diesel mechanic has recommended to fill the filter with automatic transmission fluid before installing. I have done this a couple of times and saw no difference in smoke or sound.



Anyone have a problem with this?



J. V.

 

[Todd T]

these are both fine examples of urban legends, and my only question to both of you is



WHY ???



why, would you do something like this to your own truck???



i can see maybe the peski neighbor, or your brother inlaw's truck, but why your own. especially transmission fluid.

 

[Texas Diesel]

Actually a Mercedes mechanic told me it is SOP for them to run 1qt atf in 10 gallons #2 diesel. The high detergent content on the ATF really cleans the fuel system and injectors. I would run a quart once a month in all of my diesel Rabbits. About half way through each tank the engine would begin to run better, most noticeable was how much faster it would start up. I was told this faster starting was because the gummy build up on the injector check valves was gone. ATF IS a lubricant so it should be ok in a VP-44. I also ran ATF periodically through a diesel generator I had, it too would start faster after the ATF went through it. I think the beneficial effects are due solely to the detergents in the ATF. Just my opinion... What do you think is in fuel system cleaner??? If anyone knows this to be harmful in a VP-44 let me know.

 

[Todd T]

well here we go... you are refering to a diesel VW not an smart pumped (VP44) Cummins diesel, Dodge Ram. not KNOWING what is inside the pump, like any kind of seals, or o-rings, or even plastics. that could swell, or crack, or harden and fail, is the very reason you should not run anything through it unless you KNOW what it will do.



even to run a very high consentrate of fuel cleaner could damage things. so once again not knowing is the very reason you should not take this type of advice from anyone, unless you KNOW, they KNOW, what they are talking about.



the transmission fluid "trick" is as old as the hills, but these pumps and technology in them are not.



my $. 02 worth.

 

[Alan Reagan]

The Cummins conditioner that comes in the black bottle with the red label is used in it's pure state to clean injectors. They change the plumbing to draw out of a 1 gallon container and run the engine on the conditioner. I don't think I would do the transmission fluid because of the lubricating questions. I don't know about other conditioners. I use Stanadyne Performance added to my fuel on a regular basis and let it go at that.

 

[RKohn]

Filled it with PS last time around. Started hard, but ran good later.

 

[Texas Diesel]

I've contactedCummins regarding this PS fluid issue. I expect the standard "we cant recommend anything that doesnt say Cummins on it" type of answer but I'll post their response.

 

[F Simkowski (In Memory)]

All the time at filter change. I fill the new filter and cannister with a 50% mix of Howes and fresh diesel.

The Howes is an excellent lubricator and injector cleaner.

Drive on.

Frank S.

 

[Texas Diesel]

Cummins response

Summary: Use of ATF in fuel.



Solution:

Thanks for your E-mail message. We apologize for any delay in our reply.



Cummins neither approves nor disapproves of the use of any fuel additive, fuel extender or fuel system modification. Cummins engines are designed, developed, rated and built to operate on commercially available No. 2-D diesel fuel. Therefore, it is not our policy to recommend fuel additives. Cummins engines are also compatible with low-sulfur type No. 2 diesel fuels.



However, in extreme situations, when available fuels are of poor quality or problems exist that are peculiar to certain operations, additives can be used; however, Cummins recommends consultation with your fuel supplier. Any fuel system problems caused by the use of additives would not be considered any responsibility on the part of Cummins.



Usually, the fuel suppliers in cold climates have a winter fuel blend which is about 30% No. 1-D diesel mixed with No. 2-D diesel, to keep the fuel liquid in cold ambient temperatures. No. 2-D fuel will usually remain in liquid in ambient temps above 0 degF, however, below 0 degF a blended fuel or fuel additive may be necessary to keep the fuel liquid. Cummins advises that a maximum of 60% No. 1-D can be used, without damage to the fuel system components. Greater proportions of NO. 1-D may cause accelerated wear on fuel system components, due to lack of lubrication.



There are all kinds of theories on fuel additives. Some people add transmission fluid regularly to their fuel. Cummins distributors do sell a product called Premium Plus Injector cleaner, which will help keep your fuel pump and injectors cleaned, but is not required. It is used many times when there is an injector carboning problem, due to the engine not being worked hard enough or having been exposed to excessive idling.



These subjects are all covered in the "Fuels for Cummins Engines" Bulletin # 3379001-05.



Gannett Direct Marketing Services, Inc. in Louisville, Kentucky (http://www.gdms.com/) handles all Cummins literature. If a payment arrangement is worked out, by credit card, they can arrange shipment of Cummins literature.



You can reach Gannett's Cummins Literature Order Service by calling 1-800-646-5609 (1-502-454-6660 outside North/Central America), or by calling 1-800-DIESELS (343-7357) and selecting the literature option, or by sending E-mail to "inquiry@gdms.com", or by FAX to 1-502-456-6179, or by writing Gannett at:



Gannett Direct Marketing Services, Inc.

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LOUISVILLE KY 40232-4470



You can also order literature from your local Cummins-authorized service provider.



Thank you for your interest in Cummins power or products. Please let us know if you need assistance in locating the nearest Cummins-authorized distributor or dealer. Please feel free to use our International Dealer Locator: (http://www.cummins.com/partserv/intro.html) found on the Customer Assistance page of the Cummins website (www.cummins.com).



Let us know if you have other questions, or if away from your computer (or you have a time-critical request that needs more urgent attention), feel free to call us (toll-free, from North America) at 1-800-DIESELS (343-7357), or 1-812-377-5000 (toll call, worldwide, ask for 800-DIESELS).



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Customer Assistance Center

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Columbus, Indiana, USA

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NOTE: Cummins in paragraph 4 recognizes that "some people add ATF", they didnt say dont do it... The saga continues. TD