Fuel Conditioner

[JJuliano]

Well I am new at this game. The truck is only 1 month old with 2000k. Frist diesel, I live in N. J. temp this Am 40, when should you add winter fuel cond to the fuel? Should you use it? If so what type or brand?



I thank everone for all there help.



Joe

 

[24V-DSL]

Welcome, Joe... .



Many different opinions on the TDR about this subject, but I think that more use additives than not.



I use it for one reason... . I believe that it provides added lubricity for the injection pump. I added before I drove the new truck off the lot and have used in every tank since. I think it is a hedge against the low quality fuel that has been coming into the market.



I have tried Redline 85+, LE DCI+, and am currently using Howes Meaner Power Cleaner. None of them did anything for increased mileage. They all quieted the engine, but Howes makes my truck purr like a cat.



There's lots of stuff in the archives about additives..... do a search and draw your own conclusions.

 

[Double 6]

I have used both PowerService and Stanadyne additives, I put some in almost every tankful. You can get the PS at Walmart for around $10. 00, the Stanadyne I got from a diesel shop. Your VP44 injection pump will like the extra lubrication.

 

[bbsher]

Don't faint with this one but I use cooking oil, yes COOKING OIL; corn oil, canola oil or any vegetable oil. BIODIESEL it is called. Does a fine job. Best lubricant you will find. Burns cleaner than just diesel fuel. Cummins runs excellent. Just got back from Alaska with it. 14,000 mile trip. Couldn't run better. Check it out at www.BIODIESEL.COM

RLS-tondodge

 

[JJW_ND]

Joe:



I would not worry about fuel problems running straight #2 (included Premium #2) unless your truck sets out in temps below zero (+10 if your extra worried). Good clean #2 will be fine. Our trucks have a inline fuel heater that will keep you going once your running a while. I have driven through temps as low as -20 with straight #2... If I started with fuel above zero. Cummins engines return lots of heat fuel. This is a positive thing in the winter.



I use Stanadyne Performance formula if temps go below -5. I have not added any #1 in four winters or 150K miles. Average daily temp last December was below zero. Lots of mornings below -20. I drive everyday. It sets out all day long, garaged at night.



Most larger stations here in ND sell Straight #1 and Straight #2 all winter. I avoid stations that only have blends. If I want to blend, I will do it myself at the ratio I choose. Unless unavailable I always use Cenex Roadmaster Premium #2... yearround!



jjw

ND

 

[Bigsaint]

I also use the Stanadyne PF with every fill up. I have never seen a MPG gain or a performance boost, but I add it just the same for the lubricity (sp) for the VP44. I'm guessing here, but I believe most of the pumps in NJ will be switching over to the winter blend next month.



Scott W.

 

[Chad Sheets]

Good fuel first and always. Clean fuel filter in the housing and a spare in the glove box just in case.



Stanadyne and John Deere cover about every base and are pretty much twin conditioners thanks to the two being in bed with each other early on in the developmental stages of fuel conditioner. The Howes is great stuff, and so is the Power Service.



What ever you get, make sure its formulated to chemicaly work in a diesel. Diesels will burn almost any type of oil, so people assume they can pour everything from transmission fluid to 2 cycle oil in their tanks for lubrication. Its not that easy.



Things to bear in mind when you hear talk of oils in fuel tanks, cloud points change with adding of oil... which is the temperature where wax chrystals form. This speeds up the clogging of fuel filters, which starves the injection pump of fuel for injection and cooling and lubrication. Injection pumps are not cheap.



The flash point is changed now because the added oil makes the fuel ignite at different times to different temps, aka ignition lag now, lower BTU as well.



Carbon residue properties of fuel is altered when oils are added. More carben in the combustion chamber is usualy the result.



Sulfer content is changed too. All oils have it. Sulfer is not a good thing contrary to belief... its the removal of sulfer that also removes a chemical bond for lubrication... the sulfer isnt the big lubricator, but does help some. It is extremely corrosive and can leave deposits on the entire injection system. Now you have water, which is a bi-product of the combustion process to begin with mixing with all that oxygen and sulfer to create... you guessed it, sulfuric acid. This is real bad news in the winter when cool temps bring rise to added moisture in the crankcase and fuel system. Worn out rings, worn out bearings etc.



The only thing you want in your fuel tank is diesel fuel, and chemicaly engineered additives specificaly formulated to mix with diesel fuel in a internal combustion ignition engine.



Another thing for cold temps and diesel fuel, keep the tank as full a possible. A tank 25% full has moisture particles forming on the walls of the other 75%. Fill up as often as you can during cold temps. Hope this helps.

 

[BigDaddy]

HOWES

Jjuliano, there are lots of fuel additives to choose from.



I have been using HOWES based on my brother-in-laws recommendation, whom has driven 18-wheelers for 20 years. He tells the story, “how a few years back when the temperatures dipped below freezing in the upper mid-west and all the other truckers fuel was freezing up, and how he just kept on going, driving by truck after truck on the roadside and at truck stops because he HOWES. ”



I use HOWES Lubricator®; Diesel Treat Anti-Gel (If it gels they will pay the tow) in the Fall/Winter, and HOWES Meaner Power Kleaner® in the Spring/Summer.



Check my signature for links.