Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) fuel additives

[JamesSimpson]

Any do's and dont's on Fuel additives. I have read that it is a good idea to run these since low sulfur fuel does not lube the vp44>

 

[SEmerson]

They are probly a good idea. But I don't run them unless I need to stop jelling or have some bad fuel. I feel that they raise the price of the fuel too much for the benifit.

 

[FourBarR]

lots of opinions on this subject, i can only comment on my own situation. my truck has 325000 km . original vp44. i always add about 4oz. of howes meaner to every tank . seems to work for me. good luck.

 

[A Johnson]

For what it's worth, the position of Cummins Inc. from their Service Bulletin: Fuels for Cummins Engines.

(posted for information only)



A. Johnson





"Cummins Engine Company neither approves nor disapproves of the use of any fuel additive, fuel extender; fuel system modification or the use of any device not manufactured or sold by Cummins Engine Company or its subsidiaries. Engine damage, service issues or performance problems that occur due to the use of these products are not considered a defect in workmanship and or material as supplied by Cummins Engine Company and are not compensable under the Cummins warranty.



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.



In extreme situations, when available fuels are of poor quality or problems exist which are peculiar to certain operations, additives can be used; however; Cummins recommends consultation with the fuel supplier or Cummins Service Engineering Department prior to use of fuel additives.



Among the situations where additives could prove useful are the following:



A pour point depressant or flow improver additive can help with high pour point fuels. These depressants do not affect the cloud point (waxing).





An anti-oxidant or storage stability additive can help with fuel system deposits and poor storage stability.





A biocide or fungicide can help when fuels are prone to contamination with bacteria or fungus.





An anti-icer can help prevent ice formation in wet fuel during cold weather.





A cetane improver additive can be used with low cetane fuels.





Cummins Premium Plus - Diesel Fuel Additive can be used to clean carbon deposits from injectors and improve lubricity in fuels that fall below the recommended lubricity specification in Table 1. Refer to Cummins Service Information Bulletin 89SIB6-2 for more information on cleaning fuel injectors with Premium Plus. Premium Plus is the only diesel fuel additive recommended by Cummins for use with fuels that do not meet the lubricity specification in Table 1.





Premium diesel fuels may contain several additives that can accomplish the same as buying additives and adding to the diesel fuel.



Cummins recommends the use of a premium diesel fuel during winter (ambient conditions at -7°C [20°F] or below) operating conditions.



Great care must be exercised in the choice and use of additives. Some fuel additives can be harmful to the engine. Fuel additives containing ash forming materials will cause combustion chamber deposits. Most legitimate fuel additives perform only one function. Multifunctional fuel additives are mixtures of several additives. All fuel additives perform differently in different fuels; therefore, the additive used must be one to which the fuel will respond. There are no known additives that increase the power or improve the efficiency of a properly maintained engine.



CUMMINS ENGINE COMPANY ACCEPTS NO LIABILITY FOR ENGINE DAMAGE RESULTING FROM THE USE OF FUEL ADDITIVES WHICH ARE NOT SPECIFICALLY RECOMMENDED BY CUMMINS.



There are a number of fuel additives available which reduce the pour point of diesel fuel. These are commonly referred to as pour point depressant additives, cold flow improver additives, wax crystal modifiers, or fluidity improver additives. These additives do not reduce the cloud point of a fuel, but they can reduce the pour point as much as 33°C [60°F].



These additives alter the size and shape of wax crystals, allowing pumping of fuel at lower temperatures. However, they are not very effective in preventing plugging of line filters and, thus, are not a complete answer to wax problems.



Pour point depressants are not cure-alls as they will not reduce the cloud point nor are they effective when added to fuel at or below the cloud point.



A survey of winter blend fuels by the Bureau of Mines (now a part of the Energy Research and Development Administration) revealed that a large percentage of the commercially marketed No. 2-D diesel fuels had been treated with a pour point depressant. Before purchasing such an additive to treat fuel, ask the fuel supplier whether the fuel already contains an additive. If the fuel is already treated, additional additives will not be very effective. "



Copyright© 1995 - 1997

Cummins Engine Company, Inc.

All rights reserved

 

[rbattelle]

Where can I get a copy of "Table 1"?