Fuel Additives

[hclark]

I have heard that fuel additives are a must for power strokes. What are the recommendations for the Cummins. I was hesitant to use any thing because of the warranty threats. I have 101,000 miles 97 well maintained stock cummins. Brands?

 

[Whitmore]

hclark, Welcome my friend , and yes yes yes, use an additive it will pay for itself with lubricity, centane improver ,less carbon build up. kinda like insurance ya-know... ... my $. 02 worth

 

[illflem]

I use Howe's only in the winter to prevent gelling since I run straight #2 year round. Almost 300k combined trouble free on my trucks. Cummins says additives are not necessary.



On a 12 valve I feel use for any other reason is a waste of money. A 24 valve, with it's weak fuel system, needs all the help it can get.



Here's what Chevron says about aftermarket additives;



It would be convenient for the user if a finished diesel fuel could satisfy all his or her requirements without the use of supplemental additives. Although this is often the case, some users must use additives because the low temperature conditions in their region are more severe than those for which the fuel was designed, or because of other special circumstances. Other users feel that they need a higher quality diesel than regular diesel.



A large number of aftermarket additive products are available to meet these real or perceived needs. Some are aggressively marketed with testimonials and bold performance claims that seem "too good to be true. " So, as with any purchase, it is wise to remember the advice, caveat emptor – let the buyer beware.



It may be helpful to regard additives as medicine for fuel. Like medicine, they should be prescribed by an expert who has made an effort to diagnose the problem. And they should be used in accordance with the recommendations of the engine manufacturer and the instructions of the additive supplier. Sometimes indiscriminant use of additives can do more harm than good because of unexpected interactions.

 

[Cooker]

I personally like to run an additive all year round. I don't think it is as important in the warmer months, but I sure feel better knowing it is in there.



JMHO,

Ryan

 

[lcalder]

Cummins has it's own fuel additive that I have been using for quite awhile and am very happy using theirs, it comes in pint and quart bottles and you only need about 4 ounces per tank full and the price is right.

 

[Cooker]

lcalder,

Just curious? What does Cummins in your area charge for their additive? Around here it was over $10/quart. That's too expensive in my opinion.



-Ryan

 

[hclark]

Originally posted by hclark

I have heard that fuel additives are a must for power strokes. What are the recommendations for the Cummins. I was hesitant to use any thing because of the warranty threats. I have 101,000 miles 97 well maintained stock cummins. Brands?

Thanks for all the help

 

[boathead]

Stanadyne Performance Formula

I have been using Stanadyne Performance Formula I get from Diesel Injection Service:

http://www.dieselpage.com/add1.htm



I originally started using it in winter since I run #2 all year long, but it worked so well that I now use it year round, it improves performance, reduces the white smoke from cold starts, and it's supposed to help with lubricity. I can highly recommend it, and DIS has the best prices on it.

Happy Holidays,

Paul

 

[tgbol]

I have noticed that if I buy fuel at a diiferent location my lift pump sometimes jumps around. I started adding a pint of Marvel Mystery Oil every other tank and the problem has gone away. The engine also seems to be quieter and smoother.

 

[Forrest Nearing]

marvel mystery oil is just ATF



Forrest

 

[illflem]

Forrest, don't know about MMO being ATF, seems like that stuff has been around since before automatic transmissions. Nobody knows what's in it, that's why it's a mystery.



Thought this was a good one, fromDodge Dakotas.com



I once used a can of MMO in my Dakota. I fed it to my 5. 2 in a way that was a little far from norm, but it got in just as well. I disconnected my power brake booster vacuum hose from the booster and put the end in my can of MMO. My thirsty V8 sucked down that pint in less than 2 seconds. Within 10 seconds, my front yard filled with white smoke and within a few minutes my street looked like a hazy morning in smoggy LA. Someone called 911 and a fire truck came by, then a cop. The firemen ****** and moaned a little and the cop threatened to write me an air pollution ticket. He made me drive it out to a field a few blocks away to let the MMO burn out of my exhaust, as he tailgated me with his lights on.

It took 30 minutes to burn that stuff out of my exhaust, but I will say that was 40k miles ago and my truck still runs like new. I am a believer in MMO, I will just put it in the gas tank from now on.

 

[Forrest Nearing]

smell it...



Forrest

 

[tgbol]

I a mechanic that I worked with once that told me that MMO was ATF. He put 3 qts in his trans. It slipped so bad that he was going to r/r the trans until I convinced him to drain all of the fluid out of the trans, converter and cooler, replaceing it with ATF. The fuild was real dirty but the trans ran for another year. MMO doesn't have the same friction modifiers that ATF has.

 

[Forrest Nearing]

well, ok, no you won't catch me putting it in my transmission, but it's VERY similar to ATF...



Forrest

 

[mikepvg]

Just like Illflem said;



You got severe COLD weather?

Then you need an additive for insurance.

Sometimes the winter fuel blend isn't delivered yet etc. .



Been using Power Service w/ no problems in the Rky Mtn subzero zero temps for a couple of years now.



Mike

 

[Hammer]

There are a few I like,,The new Powerservice with the cetane additive is a worthy choice,,I also use Amsoil's deisel fuel modifier and cetane boost combined,they are quite the combo,,One other favorite is Red line Oils Diesel fuel Catalyst and their 85 plus additive,,Stanadyne is good also,but here in my area only one dealer sells it and his business practices are less than honest,so I will not purchase anything from him(shame of it is he's one of the better pump men around),,When we were at the Cummins shop for our last show,they(Cummins) informed us that NO additive was needed if you ran a mixed fuel during the winter months(kinda confused me,since we all know that this new diesel is so hard on parts due to lack of lubrication),,Just my . 02. .