Fuel additives, snake oil or good science?

[scotty1]

The fuel is definately worse then ever now... lower sulpher? Maybe but I think theres a general lack of quality at times. An additive is cheap insurance.

Canada is ranking as one of the worst for fuel quality... makes me wonder why since we make most of our own fuel... maybe it is the sulpher content.



Scotty

 

[JCleary]

I know low-sulfur is available here in CA. I've seen it at some card-locks. I've never run it myself, but I wouldn't be surprised to find out that it makes its way into regular stations now and then.



I bought my truck from a guy who burned Stanadyne in every tank, and I have followed suit. Once or twice I filled without it, and if anything the idle was louder, but I noticed no difference in mileage.



I bought my Stanadyne from Scheid, and it works out to about $3 per one-shot bottle. It's much more economical to buy the bigger bottles, but seems like a pain to me.



I'm hoping to avoid a CP3 problem in the future, so I'm running the additives now.



Who knows if it really helps? I don't.

 

[Turbo Tim 1]

Snake oil or not I've been using Cen-Pe-Co atomic fuel conditioner for quite a while now and if I go a tank or two without it I notice that when I start the truck it will sit there and stumble at idle, it's just barely noticable but it definantely there. Put the conditioner in at next fill up and the stumble is gone. I've repeated this situation and had the same thing happen. I don't know if it's worth it or if it's doing me any good but my truck physically runs better with the additive.

 

[McCRam]

When I use stanadyne in my tank, I see a smoother running engine less smoke and a mile or two better mileage.

 

[rbattelle]

a mile or two better mileage.

Can you post your fuel log data that indicate this?



-Ryan

 

[Diesel Freak]

Currently I am running some Wesson Corn Oil.



so far I am seeing a 5mpg increase in milage, no smoke, and about 50 HP more per my incredibly accurate SOPM dyno!!



Makes the sheep a little hard to hold on to though!!!

 

[LarryWard]

Currently I am running some Wesson Corn Oil.



so far I am seeing a 5mpg increase in milage, no smoke, and about 50 HP more per my incredibly accurate SOPM dyno!!



Makes the sheep a little hard to hold on to though!!!

Used to make mayonaise for mom with Wesson Oil and eggs. . But now I'd like to have a clue about your ratio for the diesel salad dressing without the eggs. And also the soybean oil as an additive compared to dino products, would all these vegie oils be approximately similiar in ratio as an additive?

 

[McCRam]

Can you post your fuel log data that indicate this?



-Ryan

I have the numbers, I will get them on here as soon as I can.

 

[JKinney]

Ive been using the stuff from napa because it is suppose to be the same as havoline which in the havoline bottle as the cummins c on the bottle (I believe I have the right brand) My main reason for starting to use it was that the rack in my injector pump on my utility tractor did sieze and I did have a runaway I jumped off the seat and closed the fuel valve. With that said the rebuild shop said it was froze stuck open by lack of lubricity. The tractor had 1500 hours mainly on road fuel.

 

[Jed]

Schaeffer in 100 gal of red #2 made a noticeable difference in fuel economy over other available additives stanadyne was close but cost more. with the schaeffer one pint treated the same amount that the P S treated with one gallon. I allways buy fuel at the same location. I am currently working on a mix containing olive oil, grapeseed oil and sulfer match heads I will keep you all updated on my progress. :-laf

 

[LarryWard]

Schaeffer in 100 gal of red #2 made a noticeable difference in fuel economy over other available additives stanadyne was close but cost more. with the schaeffer one pint treated the same amount that the P S treated with one gallon. I allways buy fuel at the same location. I am currently working on a mix containing olive oil, grapeseed oil and sulfer match heads I will keep you all updated on my progress. :-laf

Where is Schaeffer additive available? What size and pricing for it? Your olive oil cocktail is bound to be too expensive unless it is mostly matchheads.

 

[plongson]

I got interested in fuel additives and did a search and this thread came up. Let me say, I have never been a proponent of additives. My thought is "If it is so good, why don't the oil companies put this stuff in their formula?"



Where I work they buy Schaeffer in bulk and add it to the underground fuel for the fleet. The fleet mechanics claim that there are less fuel system component failures. I was able to "Procure" a few quarts to experiment with so... yesterday I added some... to start a little test. Albet, seat of the pants.



I know this truck like the back of my hand and the first thing I noticed after about 50 miles was it seemed to run "smoother". It also "seemed" to have more response and perhaps more power. I guess time will tell. Initially I am impressed with the results. I just need to "procure" some more. :-laf



After reading the Bosch report on lubricity and wear, I am wondering if it is too late to start using a conditioner. Will this stuff clean injector tips or do they have to start off clean. etc, etc.

 

[Cattletrkr]

plongson "If it is so good, why don't the oil companies put this stuff in their formula?

"

One local fuel stop, bigger than just a "gas station" but not a full blown truck stop, has a sign on the top of their pumps that says something like, "Power Service Premium Diesel". With the PS logo on and all. Not sure if its mixed in at the refinery or at the pump. Price is in line with all the other stops around here.

 

[satmike]

I have been using Schaeffer fuel additive and there semi synthetic motor oil and there atf and have had no problems. I also ran there fluids in my 92 for 200k miles and did have to put a injector pump on but that was from a bad tank of Mexican fuel (had to let water out of fual filter every 25 miles). All in all I think they make real good stuff. Don't know if perormance is better becaue I alweys run it.

later Mike

 

[RIVV]

Additive

I just went on a 1000k round trip with my o3 3500 auto. A friend told me to put a quart of dexton ATF in each tank. Then I talked to quite a few mechanics who said the same thing. When I left my overhead read 13. 5mpg.

After 100miles it was at 15. 3 and stopped there. I pulled over and added one quart of ATF and a few ounces of cetane boost. After 100 miles overhead read 18. 7 mpg. When I filled up to return I forgot to add anything. After 150 miles I looked up and it read 15. 4 mpg. Pulled over and added ATF and back to 18. 6 within 100 miles. And after filling tank each time I checked mpg with a caculator and both times in the 18 mpg range. It works. Back home towing again and back down to 14mpg without additive. Traded it last week to get rid of the 4:10 auto on a 05 six speed. Half way home I felt it had too much power and checked window sticker and dealer got me with 4:10's. First tank 15. 9, then 16. 3, then 16. 5. Hope it gets better. This pulls as good as my cousins with a banks kit. Only down side is I constantly try to shift to seventh gear before I realize there is no more. Called dealer on the way hope ****** off and all he kept saying was it sure is a beautiful truck.



05 3500 4x4 laramie Quad Cab SRW.

 

[JGK]

... Let me say, I have never been a proponent of additives. My thought is "If it is so good, why don't the oil companies put this stuff in their formula?"



Where I work they buy Schaeffer in bulk and add it to the underground fuel for the fleet...

So I'm assuming either your statement should have been, "My thought WAS... ", or you still stand by that statement and your employer has other opinions and so adds the Schaeffer. 'Course, you realize, the oil companies aren't going to add anything to the fuel that isn't mandated by law if it adds to the cost but doesn't provide a return on investment (that is, everyone want's to buy that brand of fuel at a higher cost than the others).



No matter. I'm glad you took the time to try it out in spite of your initial reservations. Open mindedness (is that a real word?) is a good thing!



I kinda trusted what I read and have been using Amalgamated since the article in the TDR came out a few years ago. I use it on every tankful. I will be ordering another 5-gallons soon. I can't say for sure if it is all it's said to be. I mean, unless I break down a P7100 and an engine with a few hundred K miles on them that hasn't used it and a set of identically driven pump/engine that has used it and compared them, I'll just have to trust them. But the engine seems to runs smoother and stronger since I started using it.



FWIW,

-Jay



PS. I stack it with Amsoil cetane boost too, like HEMI-Dart! Why, well, I can get the Amsoil from a friend pretty reasonably, and, why not!

 

[johnmoore]

I just went on a 1000k round trip with my o3 3500 auto. A friend told me to put a quart of dexton ATF in each tank. Then I talked to quite a few mechanics who said the same thing.

I didn't think we were supposed to use ATF or any alcohol based "additive" in the VP44. You may want to check into this before you use any more.

 

[EBottema]

I am in california home of the low sulfur diesel. I have run red a few times at this arco in los angeles area. I believe the red fuel is not low sulfur and when running it i have noticed a better idle and smoother running. I add powerservice when i get a chance and may think about running 2 stroke oil. Sounds like a good idea... It is worth the extra money since they sell junk fuel around here and extra lubrication will always add life to moving parts...

 

[Chugiak]

Having learned waaaayyy too much about diesel fuel the past few months due to the use of arctic fuel here in Alaska, I offer this. If you are using anything other than a high quality fuel in your engine that meets or exceeds ASTM Standards for D-2 (#2 diesel) you should be using a fuel additive. Remember that the fuel acts as a lubricant for the fuel system, and here in the North we get #1 DFA all winter long. I see customers failing fuel pumps with less than 300 operating hours on their equipment due to extremely low lubricity. Acccording to Cummins, the only additive they recommend is Fleet Tech Asphaltene (sp?) Additive to improve lubricity.



Personally, I used Stanadyne back when I was on the dark side (driving a Powerstroke), and have since switched to the Fleetguard product. Caution: Fleetguard markets a number of fuel additive products under the brand name "Fleet Tech". Make sure you ask for the correct type, as they also have additives to improve cetane, etc.



For what it's worth . . . .

Cheers,

Chugiak

 

[SHobbs]

I stopped using any additives. I did some reading on biodiesel and found out that just a 1% blend doubles the lubrication value of diesel. I have been running B50 for three months and the truck loves it. Engine is smoother, quieter, smells better out the pipe, mileage is the same and the engine actually feels more responsive. Call me crazy but it does feel like there is some pep to it. It is true what they say about the plant oils it does clean the tank and everything. Fuel filter was filthy the first time I changed it. The biodiesel I am running is cotton seed oil, I am glad to know that half my fuel dollars are going to support American farmers and not the Saudis or some huge greedy oil company.