Reduce Smoke by over 50%!!!

[Mike Vonada]

I am not too impressed with a lot of claims so when I heard a pitch on Pro-Tec Diesel Fuel Conditioner reducing smoke, lubricating the fuel pump, increasing mileage etc, I didn't think much of it. But when the guy said he would put it on a machine and do a before and after test I bit for it.
Well I was amazed. I have Diesel Dynamics Stage III-A injectors in my ETH and they can smoke a bit and after we ran the conditioner through the engine it reduced the smoke 50%!

The test was done by changing my fuel filter(with 14K on the engine) and filling the filter housing with Pro-Tec Diesel Fuel Conditioner starting the truck and letting it run for 15 minutes.
Before the filter change the machine recorded the following findings:
5 test readings: 23. 6%
28. 9%
35. 7%
34. 1%
30. 7%
Test Average: 30. 6%
Range: 12. 1%
After we ran the Conditioner through the filter housing with a new filter we ran 5 more test readings:
16. 0%
13. 8%
17. 1%
18. 6%
20. 1%
Test Average: 17. 1%
Range: 6. 3%
You can see the range between the high and the low was (12. 1% vs 6. 3%) which for me was close enough to call a 50% reduction. Not only did the machine show that you could see the smoke had reduce visable by a whole lot. Each test is called a snap test and is done by flooring the throttle to near red line and letting off the throttle and letting it idle.

Now for the mileage. I am leaving on a trip to Northern California for a week and will put over 1000 miles on the truck so will check mileage (currently get 19 mpg)and will also put the unit on the machine to see if there is a change in reduction of the smoke.

Well I got a little winded on this one but I am impressed with the results so far and will give you a report on mileage when I get back next week.


------------------
2001 4X4 ETH 6 spd, QC, SLT,SB, 3:54, Flame Red,camel tan leather, 4" exhaust turbo back, EGT,boost guages, Line-X bedliner.

-------------------------
Project that got way out of hand: total "BOMB"
95 Wrangler 4. 0L, NV4500, Reverse cut Dana 60 rear 44 front, Altas II, Quarter Eliptic suspension in rear, coils up front, Warn 10,000 lb to turn me right side up and the list goes on!

 

[Turbo Horseman]

Looking forward to your numbers.

 

[_Bill]

Same here.

------------------
2001. 5 2500 QC 4x4
Cummins ETH 6speed
RAMPAGE!

 

[HEMI®Dart]

Me too. This could be a Godsend when its time for the bi-annual smoke (opacity) emissions test.

[This message has been edited by HEMI®Dart (edited 12-04-2000). ]

 

[HVAC]

Mike, You comin' 'round the bay area???

 

[JohnE]

Why did they fill the filter cup with conditioner?
Did they add any to the fuel tank?
Is that 15 minutes at idle or did you go for a run to completely consume the "conditioner"? from the cup and start using the motor fuel?

Not doubting the results, but questioning the method to get there.

cheers;
*JE*

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

I'm with JohnE, I'm not convinced on the methodology.

My question is, why didn't they change the filter before doing any tests? Part of the smoke reduction could be due to a new filter #ad

 

[John]

Mike, had you been previously using a Diesel fuel conditioner in your Ram? If so, was it on a regular basis (i. e. , at EVERY fill up)? Also, (if so) what brand(s)? I'm curious because, if you never use a Diesel fuel conditioner and all of a sudden start, it cleans the combustion chamber very well, reducing smoke CONSIDERABLY.

 

[Mike Vonada]

Let me see if I can answer some of your questions.
HVAC, I will be in Santa Rosa and then Friday night make a bonzi trip back to Orange so will have to catch you next time.

JohnE, After filling the filter housing we put a can in the tank and just let the engine idle for 15 minutes. The purpose explanined to me is to get this stuff to the engine in consentrated form the first time to increase the cleaning action of it on the injectors to remove the tar and vanishes that have built-up. They recommend putting one can in your fuel tank after that every third fill up.

Vaughn, good question. I don't believe a new filter will reduce smoke that much but would be a good test for someone who isn't running this stuff. I will ask him to do this with the next truck as a bunch of guys down here want the stuff now. Let you know the results.

John, yes I had been using Standydine (sp)conditioner. Not every tank, but every two or three. The only reason I was using it is because I had some left that I used in my 98 12v.

I am with you guys, I am looking to see what this stuff really does. I leave on my trip this morning so will see what the mileage will be. Will also do some more testing with rigs that are running conditioner. Also do a test before and after a filter change.
We'll keep you posted!!

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Mike, I think putting a bunch in the filter canister to start with and giving the injectors a concentrated shot of cleaner is a good idea. When I installed my RV injectors the stock units had a lot of buildup on them already even at 15,000 miles. I used Power Service on most tanks. I am still using that up (I stocked up on it #ad
)but I want to try something else, I don't think PS keeps injectors very clean.

Thanks for doing this "product review" for us #ad


Vaughn

 

[kojak]

Sounds like it might be a good thing. Will be looking forward to your return. You didn't mention where it is available.

------------------
1995 2500 4X2 Std. cab SLT

 

[John_P]

Mike Vonada:

Mike can you let us all know where we
can buy the "Pro-Tec Fuel Conditioner"
at? I am using the "Stanadyne One Shot
Performance Formula" right now. I put
one bottle in every time I fill up.
I have used this almost since my truck
was new. I can't say whether or not it
helps the smoke though. Since I added
the 370 injectors, gov. spring kit and
AFC spring kit I can definitely get
some smoke if I nail it hard!

Thanks for your input.

------------
John_P.

------------------
Red '96 4x4 2500 Auto 3. 54, TST #5, Major Pump Mods(By "Scheid Diesel") 370 Diamond B Injectors, Gov. Spring kit, AFC Spring kit, Banks Exhaust, Prime Loc, Cummins Chrome Kit, Pro-Torque Converter, BD Valve Body, BD Pressure Loc, Isspro Gauges, Sendel 16" Alum Wheels w/ 33" BFGs

 

[Briar Hopper]

I'm running Stanadyne Performance Formula, the big rig parts place was out of Lubricity formula. Anyway, I haven't run any for the past 4 months, after it got cold here, I noticed I was only getting 300 miles between fillups (I always fillup before it gets much below 1/4 a tank, takes about 22-25 gal. ) After adding Stanadyne, I was shocked to see I got 400 miles out of that tank, and will out of this one too, same mileage as if it was warm weather... I'm tickled, because I thought I was in for another winter of bad fuel mileage...

 

[HC]

Originally posted by Vaughn MacKenzie:
I'm with JohnE, I'm not convinced on the methodology. (

Sign me up with John and Vaughn on this one. I once got a major smoke reduction on an Izuzu diesel trooper. Here's how: wife calls one night on cell phone, says, "you're not going to be happy". She had just filled the tank with gasoline, with the engine idling as she filled. But she realized it before driving away, and shut down the engine. We had it towed to the dealership for a full tank drain. But some gas got through - I had dramatically reduced smoke, and increased power. That gas really cleaned my injectors.
You be the judge - what are you willing to put through your Cummins? Gas? Super Cleaners? It makes me nervous just using the LE DCI+ when some folks swear away from ANY fuel additive, but I'm taking a chance that it is good for the fuel pump and using it anyway. JMO; no disrespect intended for opposing views.

 

[Oil Man]

Mike Vonada,
Do you have a web address or a phone number so that I can investagate weather or not this is the type of additive that is good for the kind of trucks we have. It sounds like the kind of additive that is for gas or diesel. I say this because of the 100% in the new fuel filter treatment that you talk about. The type that we use here is much to concentrated to put 100% in a filter. You should not use the dual service gas/diesel type.

Sincerely, Kevin

 

[Mike Vonada]

Well just got back from my trip last night and the results are in. Increase in fuel mileage was about 1/2 mpg with three tank fills. Not significant, but was an increase. The funny thing is the engine seemed to run better, just seat of the pants feeling. Seems like the exceleration is quicker, like it spools up much quicker.
I will re do the smoke test this week and post the results.

Kevin thanks for the offer to do some more testing on this product. You can reach Dan Smith at 949-737-8402 pager or 949-279-1658 cell phone.

One down side to the test, the California Highway Patrol was not impressed with the speeds that I could attain using the product and proceed to write me a ticket. I used everything I could muster up (I am a retired Fire Chief etc. ,etc) he wasn't buying anything (them young wipper-snappers). Then proceeded to tell me that with a license plate like mine I deserved the ticket.
Oh, my license plate reads - 1QIK4X4 - He didn't see any humor in it.
Hey maybe I can pass the can and everyone will contribute to the Mike Vonada bail money fund! #ad
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[illflem]

Mike,you didn't happen to be on 101 in Santa Barbra County?I think I might have run into the same cop last year,he wasn't cutting any deals,period. Usally when I show them my oversized tires they knock 10 mph off the speed,not this guy.

 

[Mike Vonada]

illflem,
No this guy was up around Napa, but he must have been the brother of the guy in Santa Barbara!

 

[Mike Vonada]

Well after 1200 miles I have retested the rig and this is what I came up with:
Five test readings of:
13. 3%
16. 7%
14. 3%
17. 9%
20. 2%
Test Average was 16. 5%
So it is improving from the 17. 1% in the first test.
Talked wtih Dan Smith, the distrubutor and he has agreed to run the same tests with other fuel conditioners so we can get a heads up test between them. Need to come up with 5 or 6 rigs that currently aren't running any additives. Be interesting to see what the results are, I'll keep you posted.


[This message has been edited by Mike Vonada (edited 12-15-2000). ]

 

[HEMI®Dart]

Mike,

If you lived in Connecticut, your truck would have failed the bi-annual emmissions test. (20% Opacity or less)

After you added the Pro Tech conditioner, It would have passed.


I'm impressed #ad


[This message has been edited by HEMI®Dart (edited 05-03-2001). ]