Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Fuel Additives?

[isb360]

Duluth. . thx for the replies. Good info. I will get some Amsoil Diesel Concentrate from my local rep here very soon. I have only occasionally used anti-gel additives in the past but have never had any gelling problems yet in Connecticut.



Does anyone know if the anti-gel characteristics of ULSD are different than the "high test" fuel we've been accustomed to?



TIm

 

[Big A]

I have to chime in here, I've been using stanadye in my truck since new. I only have 50,000 miles on it, and I've replaced the lift pump and VP. I now have the 0216 again. I think these additives are just a waste of money. These pumps are just not quality controlled. You have some out there with over 100,000 miles, and no additives, and some like mine, that fail at 24,000 miles. No more additives for me.

Big A

 

[BDeMartile]

Power service products meet cummins n11 test specs contain no alcohol and work great they improve mileage as well. My . 02

 

[Darmeisner]

BigA, Please don't infer additives could have prevented your LP/VP problems. At 32 K I lost a LP and no surprise a VP. I never used any additives until now. I don't think lift pump failures are lubrication related. Waiting for UPS to deliver 1 gal of Stanadyne.



Dar

 

[Big A]

BigA, Please don't infer additives could have prevented your LP/VP problems. At 32 K I lost a LP and no surprise a VP. I never used any additives until now. I don't think lift pump failures are lubrication related. Waiting for UPS to deliver 1 gal of Stanadyne.



Dar

That's exactly my point. Additives are not going to cause or prevent pump failures. I'm not so sure they do much. With the exception of anti gel properties. I don't fault people for using additives, I did. I just don't see the point anymore.

Big A

 

[mhenon]

Duluth. . thx for the replies. Good info. I will get some Amsoil Diesel Concentrate from my local rep here very soon. I have only occasionally used anti-gel additives in the past but have never had any gelling problems yet in Connecticut.



Does anyone know if the anti-gel characteristics of ULSD are different than the "high test" fuel we've been accustomed to?



TIm

I've read that the cloud point of ULSD was higher (it will gel faster) than LSD. That was a little surprising as it seems thinner to me.

As far as additives I'm using a lubricant at the minimum. Lubricity is added to ULSD but just enough to meet spec. . i think the VP can use all the help it can get.

Mike

 

[steved]

That's exactly my point. Additives are not going to cause or prevent pump failures. I'm not so sure they do much. With the exception of anti gel properties. I don't fault people for using additives, I did. I just don't see the point anymore.

Big A

Just because you run additive doesn't mean you didn't pick up a very ugly batch of fuel somewhere... as you said, additive isn't a cure-all, but it does afford some protection from junk fuel, but can only do so much.



With that said, I ran additive in every tank on my 99... at 201k it had seen three LPs and was still on the original VP44... my dad has replaced his LP three times also and is currently pushing 255k on his original VP44... he runs additive everyother tank and buys the majority (over 95%) of his fuel from ONE place with know good quality fuel.



steved

 

[JKinney]

Big A I too can understand your fustration, but I believe the 216 code is a result of electronics failure in the vp44 and no additive is going to help with those types of failures. Im using amsoil additives, as they keep every thing clean from the bottom of the tank to the tip of the injectors.

 

[BPickerel]

I've been running Stanadyne Performance Formula in mine since the start of the summer, just order it from Scheid. But will pick up Power Service if I need to since its pretty easy to find around here. I lost the VP @ 75k, and was running additives every tank.

 

[steved]

Big A I too can understand your fustration, but I believe the 216 code is a result of electronics failure in the vp44 and no additive is going to help with those types of failures.

Very good point.



steved

 

[mhenon]

What is it with the '02 VP44 pumps??? They just seem to go no matter what you do. Mine went at 70K also.

Hope the new VP's hold up a little better.

Mike

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

We're into the 3rd Page and no one has mentioned Amalgamated? heh



From what I read in a TDR magazine several issues ago this stuff is "it". I've used it quite a bit and like it. Has the highest cetane improver (full 6 points vs 3-4 for the best of the others), quality lubricants & detergents, corrosion & rust inhibitors, water dispersant, & anti-gel. They are a commercial producer but they sell a "TDR Blend. " They say it's good as a biodiesel additive too. The biggest bummer is you have to buy it in 5 gal or 55 gal drums, and you mail in a check to buy it. Last I knew for 5 gallons is $90 - $50 for the product and $40 to ship. A couple times guys in the NW have bought a 55 drum and split it up. http://www.amalgamatedinc.com



Vaughn

 

[BarryG]

I also use the amalgamated. Have been using it since the tdr article. The last time I bought some the price had gone up a bit (I think it was early 06 when I got it. It was just over a c note for the 5 gal pail. In fact I need to order another pail.

 

[ioli]

My experiance with fuel additives

For me it started the day I bought a new off the lot 1983 GMC 2500 4X4 with a (want a be diesel) the 6. 2 with the muncie 465 4 spd transmission. Not long after that purchase (a few years) the diesel fuel sulfur content here in California was lowered. Injection pumps were dying left and right on both the 6. 2's and ford's 6. 9's. Getting worried I took the advice an old diesel mechanic I trusted(the main motor man for diesels at the Geysers power plant) where I work. He told me to put 8oz's ATF to each 10 gallons diesel. "That'll keep'er lubed", he says. I kept up that practice and owned the truck until 2001 when I sold it with 322,000 miles on it. I did change to marvel mystery oil and redline later. I had to change out the injection pump twice and one set of injectors. Not because of failure but because they got tired after running so long. When I saw the cummins engine come out in the Dodge around 1989, I drooled, and dreamed until I could own one myself. July 2001 my dream came true. I drove home my new off the lot SLT 2001 high output with NV5600 six speed. I started adding marvel mystery oil with the first fill up and continue that practice. Then I got turned on to TDR by a coworker and subscribed. Been reading and learning since. Soon after I brought my new Dodge cummins home, my wife drove my dodge and fell in love with it. I was informed by my queen that it (my dodge-cummins) is now hers for family use and I get her ford F150 with 300 six cylinder with the 5sp. I just couldn't live like that for ever. So I did the next best thing, I groveled and negotiated for a few years then took the queen to Sacramento and bought her a 2005 dodge-cummins dually in her favorite color and all the bells and whistles. She promptly relinquished my 2001 back to me. I have been adding marvel mystery oil, and it has worked for me. Walmart has the best price around here for it. I live and work and play in the mountains, I pull a big tex dump trailer usually load with a combined weight of 23000 pounds. My 2001 has never failed me and has just turned 74000. I believe the fuel delivery system of the our diesel trucks will not complain if a reasonable amount of lubricity additive is added, and each cummins owner should stick with what works for them. What is certain is that the sulfur content in diesel fuel which acts as a lubricator is being decreased by the oil refiners to meet specs, and may continue to happen until removed completely. Sorry for the Novel- hope this helps. Vinny

 

[24V-DSL]

I'm on my second 5 gal. of Amalgamated... . pail lasts me about a year.



Switched from Stanadyne, and last time I did the math, even with shipping it was half the price of Stanadyne that I used to buy in 1/2 gallon jugs from a source in Texas that had the best price I could find anywhere.



I've also tried Power Service, Howes,and Redline.



The 5 gal. pail issue isn't as much as a pain as you might think. I just fill two old 1/2 gal. Stanadyne containers when necessary.

 

[NoSeeUm]

For me it started the day I bought a new off the lot 1983 GMC 2500 4X4 with a (want a be diesel) the 6. 2 with the muncie 465 4 spd transmission. Not long after that purchase (a few years) the diesel fuel sulfur content here in California was lowered. Injection pumps were dying left and right on both the 6. 2's and ford's 6. 9's. Getting worried I took the advice an old diesel mechanic I trusted(the main motor man for diesels at the Geysers power plant) where I work. He told me to put 8oz's ATF to each 10 gallons diesel. "That'll keep'er lubed", he says. I kept up that practice and owned the truck until 2001 when I sold it with 322,000 miles on it. I did change to marvel mystery oil and redline later. I had to change out the injection pump twice and one set of injectors. Not because of failure but because they got tired after running so long. When I saw the cummins engine come out in the Dodge around 1989, I drooled, and dreamed until I could own one myself. July 2001 my dream came true. I drove home my new off the lot SLT 2001 high output with NV5600 six speed. I started adding marvel mystery oil with the first fill up and continue that practice. Then I got turned on to TDR by a coworker and subscribed. Been reading and learning since. Soon after I brought my new Dodge cummins home, my wife drove my dodge and fell in love with it. I was informed by my queen that it (my dodge-cummins) is now hers for family use and I get her ford F150 with 300 six cylinder with the 5sp. I just couldn't live like that for ever. So I did the next best thing, I groveled and negotiated for a few years then took the queen to Sacramento and bought her a 2005 dodge-cummins dually in her favorite color and all the bells and whistles. She promptly relinquished my 2001 back to me. I have been adding marvel mystery oil, and it has worked for me. Walmart has the best price around here for it. I live and work and play in the mountains, I pull a big tex dump trailer usually load with a combined weight of 23000 pounds. My 2001 has never failed me and has just turned 74000. I believe the fuel delivery system of the our diesel trucks will not complain if a reasonable amount of lubricity additive is added, and each cummins owner should stick with what works for them. What is certain is that the sulfur content in diesel fuel which acts as a lubricator is being decreased by the oil refiners to meet specs, and may continue to happen until removed completely. Sorry for the Novel- hope this helps. Vinny

Welcome to TDR Vinny.



BTW, them things are just steep hills.



Jim