Fuel conditioner that "pays" for itself.

[Swamp Donkey]

Right now I am driving around 300 km's a day. I have tried howes regular, and lubtec winter fuel conditioner and lubtecs premium fuel conditioner with no noticable gain in MPG. The lubtec @ $23. 99 per liter does 500 liters of fuel. I figure I am going in the hole using it! LOL Anyways, a few suggestions on what fuel conditioner will actually pay for itself would be apreciated. The guy that I bought the lubtec premium said he see's 4-6 mpg increase when he uses it. GAH!!!!!! I thought if he see's 6 I can hope for one. LOL I have easy access to Power Service, Howes, and lubtec's product line. If I hit some of the truckstops I might be able to dig up some stanadyne I think. OH OH OH also Marvel Mystery Oil and 2 stroke oil! Would be willing to give a pail of amalgamated a try, but I really want to at least break even in the conditioner cost with mileage gains. Whadya figgure????

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Amalgamated is supposed to be tops when it comes to fuel conditioners. I have seen a slight MPG gain but not much though. I do believe it is good stuff, based on a detailed article in TDR a few years ago. Only additive that gives you a true 6-point cetane improvement.



www.amalgamatedinc.com



Ask for the "TDR Blend. " Only catch is you gotta buy 5 gallons at a time, pay shipping, and do it by mailing in a check.



Vaughn

 

[Spooled-up]

The guy that I bought the lubtec premium said he see's 4-6 mpg increase when he uses it. GAH!!!!!!

It's amazing what people will try to tell you when they think you don't know any better.



I think it would be hard to see any concrete proof that the additives are saving you any money or paying for themselves. Way down the road, you may not have an injector pump fail, and you're engine may last longer, but it's hard to really tell if it was the fuel additive. I'm not saying I don't use them, but it's just hard to quantify.

 

[Diesel Nut]

The guy that I bought the lubtec premium said he see's 4-6 mpg increase when he uses it.

More than likely he was getting poor mileage prior to the product due to a dirty fuel system and cylinder and the product cleaned it up. Mix that with a little exageration by the salesman and, well it makes sense. I personally use Amsoil Cetane Boost. They claim a mileage increase but without controlled conditions it can be very hard to prove, and thats with any additive.

 

[BarryG]

I also use the Amalgamated. I used it originally as Vaughn stated the writeup in the mag. After using a pail and being satisfied on my next order I asked them to send me all the literature they had on independent testing. It was fairly impressive. I would highly recommend you call them and ask for it. They will send it to you no problem. Then you can make your own judgement on the merits of their comparitive independent testing.



The only real drawback is that it comes in a 5 gal pail. I just went to an outdoor store (REI in my case) bought 6 proper size aluminum MSR fuel bottles. I fill them all at once throw them in the toolbox and use them as I need them. The fuel bottles have a great seal and dont leak nor do they break down like the plastic bottles I originally used. Been using the same ones for 3+ years.

 

[Buffalo]

From what I understand, if you don't notice a performance and/or a mileage increase while using an additive, then the fuel you are using has enough cetane in it. Four to six MPG increases would be incredible!!!



When I started using Primrose 405, with Flying J fuel, I noticed no MPG or performance increases.



There are other benefits to using additives which are important, also.

The added lubricity to protect your HPCR from potentially dry ULSD (ultra low sulphur diesel) fuel.



Injector cleaners to keep your injectors working properly. My '03 had a bad injector (knocking) which DC would not fix. After a period of time using the Primrose 405, the knocking went away & has not returned.



Cold weather treatment of the fuel would be a benefit, also.



The other advantages of additives have value, too.



Joe F. (Buffalo)

 

[rivercat]

On inferior engines like durachokes 2-4 mpg gain is not uncommon:-laf , heck a stinking aeroturbine or a tornado will net 20hp on a durachoke.

Joe, who makes this primrose you speak of?

 

[MFalkinham]

Like Joe, I use a mix of Primrose PowerMaster 405 and Marvel Mystery Oil. I can't say the MPG's have really picked up with this mix, but the engine does sound quieter and runs smoother.

As far as an additive "paying for itself", that's pretty hard to determine. While an additive may not add enough MPG to offset the purchase price, it does provide numerous other benefits including anti-gel, cetene boost and fuel system lubrication. To me, the lubrication benefits by themselves are worth the price if it saves the injection pump from a future failure. Any added MPG's are just icing on the cake.

 

[Buffalo]

MFalkinham,



I, too, am using Marvel Mystery Oil on top of the Primrose 405 (MMO, 4 oz. / 10 gals. of fuel).

I, also, agree with what you said in your post.



Rivercat,



Primrose Oil Co. , Inc. Dallas, Texas. 1-800-275-2772

E-mail: -- email address removed --

www.primrose.com



The product I am using is called Power-Master 405 ("Raises Cetane Rating, Quicker Ignition, Cleans Injectors, Lubricates Fuel Pump, Lowers Starting Temperature, Reduces Misfiring. ") One 12 oz. bottle treats 187 gals. of fuel.

I got a case of 24 bottles, from them, for in the vicinity of $100. 00.

It should treat about 4488 gals. of fuel.



They have been around for many years & sell to commercial fuel handlers, usually. Just recently started selling in smaller quantities to guys like us. Their product is highly concentrated.



I know you were kidding about the Duramax comments. But, two of my friends have them & use Stanadyne Performance Formula & have noticed little or no performance/ fuel mileage increases.



Joe F. (Buffalo)

 

[BCarmicle]

Is anyone using the Lucas brand additives?

 

[coobie]

MFalkinham,



I, too, am using Marvel Mystery Oil on top of the Primrose 405 (MMO, 4 oz. / 10 gals. of fuel).

I, also, agree with what you said in your post.



Rivercat,



Primrose Oil Co. , Inc. Dallas, Texas. 1-800-275-2772

E-mail: -- email address removed --

www.primrose.com



The product I am using is called Power-Master 405 ("Raises Cetane Rating, Quicker Ignition, Cleans Injectors, Lubricates Fuel Pump, Lowers Starting Temperature, Reduces Misfiring. ") One 12 oz. bottle treats 187 gals. of fuel.

I got a case of 24 bottles, from them, for in the vicinity of $100. 00.

It should treat about 4488 gals. of fuel.



They have been around for many years & sell to commercial fuel handlers, usually. Just recently started selling in smaller quantities to guys like us. Their product is highly concentrated.



I know you were kidding about the Duramax comments. But, two of my friends have them & use Stanadyne Performance Formula & have noticed little or no performance/ fuel mileage increases.



Joe F. (Buffalo)

Count me in to on the use of primrose 405(summer)-409(winter) and stanadyne pf mixed with marvel mystery oil. I have used a additive since day one of owning my new truck,no regrets yet. coobie

 

[Swamp Donkey]

Interesting. I thought that there would be some out there that would pay for themselves. Maybe I will have to settle for almost breaking even. LOL

 

[Swamp Donkey]

Well I did a little research and am going to run with the Howes meaner cleaner. I saw the claims of 4. 8% increase in fuel economy with money back guarantee and I was sold! It says right on the bottle that it pays for the product 2x in fuel savings. So I will report back if the stuff actualy works. There was power service there as well but from what I could see, the Howes meaner cleaner seemed like the better deal. Cost vs mixture ratio vs 4. 8% mpg guarantee. That should work out to almost 1 mpg.....

 

[Pawpaw]

I use Howe's Meaner Power Cleaner and like it a lot. Does it pay for itself? I'm not certain of that, but I know my truck runs quieter and smooter with it.



I do "feel" there is a mileage increase, but I can't quantify that. As far as I'm concerned, if it just keeps the CP3 and injectors happy then it's money well spent.



Bob

 

[Rod_Montana]

I'm beginning to see some light in this tunnel. I've been posting my tankful results to a spreadsheet on this truck. The fuel mileage varies greatly dependant upon where I fill.



Adopted a process of starting the flow on low into the tank, after adding the same additives (MMO and PS). When it clicks off, I add one more gallon and take the reading.



Mileage has varied from a low of 14. 6 to a high of 19. 4 all with the same general type of driving in NW Montana. It looks like Conoco #2 is superior. Exxon is down a bit, and the tank of ??? I got in Helena at the bend on US12 was the pits (14. 6). Can't remember the brand. Now I post that as well.

 

[MMeier]

Is anyone using the Lucas brand additives?

I've been trying thier product lately, seems like the engine is smoother and quieter then with straight fuel, MPG's might be up a touch when running empty, but the same when running loaded(which is quite a bit lately) might try some Amalgamated, I remember when the article was out, Joe do you have any?

 

[Buffalo]

MMeier,



I have not tried the Amalgamated. The only additive I've ever used is the Primrose 405 & Marvel Mystery Oil.



Primrose has a Cetane Boost but, I've have not noticed any performance and/or fuel economy increase. This should mean that the Flying-J fuel I am using has all the cetane that my truck can use.



I understand you are hauling empty containers, now? How's that working for you? Do you like it? I've only seen one truck (pick-up) doing that type of hauling.



Thanks, Mark.



Joe F. (Buffalo)