Fuel Additives for the Northeast winter

[JERRYKAM]

OOps, Stuck my origonal post in the wrong forum



I will be transferring from Colorado to New England next month (Oct). Having spent several previous winters in NE I can attest that they tend to be a bit more severe than the Colo front range (Denver - Colo Springs areas). But this will be my first trip with my 06 CTD.



I'm curious as to whether or not a case can be made for the use of fuel additives during the NE winter. Cummins says not required. TDR and Geno's garage carry fuel additives (Cummins and Mopar as I recall). Aside from the fact that they certainly can't hurt anything they each add to the cost of fuel. From a $5c up to a $25c per gal. Not much, but what does it buy us?



Perhaps a controversial subject, but with winter knocking on the door should be a timely topic for discussion.



Jerry K

 

[steved]

I run either Howe's or PowerService... never had an issue with gelling or waxing with either... coldest I have ran is around -25*...



I would run additive regardless... for nothing else other than the added lubrication...



steved

 

[BOgni]

This is my first winter with the Cummins, but I own a Jetta Diesel that we had gel up on us while driving a couple of years ago. Since then we have added Howes religiously and have had 0 problems since.



Also, I know on the big rigs I use Diesel 911 in case of gelling in an emergency situation and that works very well. But not getting in that situation would be even better! (And I am in NE, go PATS!)

 

[JVantreese]

I mix a cocktail of 4 oz of Marvel Mystery Oil and 12 oz of Power Service in a used but totally dry water bottle. In the winter I use the winter power service product. I dump a 16 oz bottle in a 30 gallon fill, half a bottle for 15 gal, etc. I also take a permanent marker write "poison" on the bottle and the cap along with a skull and crossbones. Having a few bottles in the back of the truck makes it easy to add my chosen additive. These products are available at Walmart at a fairly inexpensive price. This may or may not prolong the life of my engine but it does makes me feel better.

 

[Arkapigdiesel]

Howe's, Stanadyne, and Schaeffer's make good diesel treat formulas also. Best of luck.

 

[WM-300]

I use Power Service, never had a problem down to -38 below. I live he Adirondack Mts. I would not consider running without an additive. On a super cold morning, the 18 wheelers from the south sit dead on the interstate.



WM-300

 

[redfuelrules]

Run white Power Service, carry PS 911 (red) and a spare filter

 

[Diesel Manor]

JERRYKAM,

Regardless of where you live a good fuel additive will always benifit you engine. Some of the benifits you'll see are quicker startup, less smoke, a little more power, and increased fuel economy. This will especially hold true with the new ULSD fuel. As far as in New England goes, Stanadyne Performance formula or the E-ZOIL Diesel Aid + Cetane Power are very popular. The stuff goes out as fast as it comes in. The E-Zoil product is extreemly popular among Canadian residents for some reason. If it's real cold it can't hurt to have 1 bottle of winter formula handy, but for the most part the other additives I mentioned will suffice for year round benifit and protection. When you need some give us a call, we're located in beautiful Goffstown, NH.



Link to Fuel Additives

 

[BigEasy]

I don't use anything... as long as you buy fuel up here, it's already a winter mix. The only time I ever had a problem was when I drove cross country; I had fueled up in Georgia on my way home. The untreated southern fuel gelled up solid over the weekend being parked at -10.



Most additives are either ATF or hydraulic oil... none are worth the $$$ in my book. In the year that I've had my truck, I've kept track of every tankful of fuel. Almost tank that I've used an additive was an average 1 mpg lower than those without. FPPF was the only one that showed no loss, and the truck started noticably quicker. Just my 2 cents worth...

 

[Diesel Manor]

The winter blended fuel up in New England has kerosine in it (#1 diesel) to prevent gelling. This also has less lubrication and causes economy to drop severly. The #1 winter blended fuel does a good job at preventing gelling for the most part, unless you're caught in a real cold snap. I think that (and don't quote me, just something I read I believe) that the winter blended fuel should be good to somewhere around -14. I run an additive and notice a real difference in the winter compared to not running it.



There is no ATF of hydrolic oil added to any of the fuel additives we sell. Actually ATF would be very detremental to the fuel injectors. They have other additive packages that increase cetane, lubricity, and disperse water.

 

[MFalkinham]

I mix a cocktail of 4 oz of Marvel Mystery Oil and 12 oz of Power Service in a used but totally dry water bottle. In the winter I use the winter power service product. I dump a 16 oz bottle in a 30 gallon fill, half a bottle for 15 gal, etc. I also take a permanent marker write "poison" on the bottle and the cap along with a skull and crossbones. Having a few bottles in the back of the truck makes it easy to add my chosen additive. These products are available at Walmart at a fairly inexpensive price. This may or may not prolong the life of my engine but it does makes me feel better.

I run a very similar custom mix, except I substitute Primrose PowerMaster for the Power Service. Primrose is much more concentrated, so my ratio of MMO is higher. I calculated that my 16-oz dose per tank costs me roughly $1. 00. Cheap insurance.

http://store. avlube.com/prfl409.html

 

[steved]

Most additives are either ATF or hydraulic oil...

What? Are you actually serious?? :--)





steved

 

[BigEasy]

I deliver to bottling plants... I don't think they'd lie to me, but maybe they would.

 

[Turbo Tim 1]

According to the MSDS on Amsoils diesel additive here are the components it's made of, it's got some nasty stuff but I don't see ATF or hydraulic fluid. By the way any of the additives I've found MSDS's for are made of similar things just varying amounts.



OSHA HAZARDOUS COMPONENTS (29 CFR 1910. 1200)

Petroleum naphtha – 9. 9%

Naphthalene - . 9%

Trimethylbenzene – . 2 - 1. 0%

1, 2, 4 – Trimethylbenzene - 29. 1%

1, 3, 5 – Trimethylbenzene – 5. 6 - 8. 8%

Diethlybenzene – 0. 8 - 4. 0%

Xylene - 1. 2%

Isopropylbenzene - 1. 2%

Ethylbenzene - 0. 4%

 

[TowPro]

The fuel in NE should already be treated, BUTTTTTTt



Every year they cause a shortage by blowing up a refinery. During this shortage (happens every year) they will inport diesel from down south that is not treated enough, and I have seen problems caused by that fuel.



I run power service white bottle in both the truck and car during the winter.

the car is filled from a tank inside my garage, so I treat it with power service when I fill the garage tank during the winter. I only add it to the truck when we hit those "cold snaps".



since my truck and car are kept in a heated garage I never have problems starting in the morning, but its sitting all day outside in a parking lot that I worry about.

 

[Diesel Nut]

I use Amsoil Diesel Concentrate every tank, regardless of location. Just a good habit to have, I guess.

 

[BigEasy]

OSHA HAZARDOUS COMPONENTS (29 CFR 1910. 1200)

Petroleum naphtha – 9. 9%

Naphthalene - . 9%

Trimethylbenzene – . 2 - 1. 0%

1, 2, 4 – Trimethylbenzene - 29. 1%

1, 3, 5 – Trimethylbenzene – 5. 6 - 8. 8%

Diethlybenzene – 0. 8 - 4. 0%

Xylene - 1. 2%

Isopropylbenzene - 1. 2%

Ethylbenzene - 0. 4%

ATF and Hydraulic oil aren't classified as hazardous... and those 9 ingredients are simple solvents, also known carcinogens. Watch your skin!

 

[JERRYKAM]

Thanks to all of you for responding to my query. As several of you mentioned the reputable additives can't hurt and they go a long way toward contributing to that warm and fuzzy feeling.



Power Service is readily available in my area, picked up a jug of "red" winter mix. As soon as paid for it, I noticed an up tick in my warm and fuzzy factor.



Thanks again



Jerry K.

 

[MFalkinham]

I could be wrong, but I believe the "red" jug of PS is the 911 formula used when the fuel freezing has already occured.

The normal PS winter blend comes in a white jug, and the summer PS Diesel Kleen comes in a grey jug.

 

[WM-300]

Yup, the Red conatiner of Power Service is 911, to be used after you jell up. You want to use the White Power Service Diesel Suppliment for winter. I use the Gray Diesel Kleen all other times of the year.



WM300