TDR Premium Diesel Article

[JFitzgerald]

Did anyone else find that article to be eye-opening? It's good to know now that spending extra for "premium" is most likely not worth it. Never did try any myself, but wondered about it.



The most interesting part for me though was the additive comparison testing. I have been using Power Service Diesel Fuel Supplement +Cetane Boost since last fall. Couldn't say I felt any real set-of-the-pants difference, but was using it as pump lube and for extra anti-gel protection over the winter. The test results on this product show that it's cetane improvement value is not as good as advertized. The container says it boosts cetane "up to 4 numbers". If I remember right, the test showed an improvement of 0. 6. Hmmm...



Question is, does anyone know where I can buy any of the other additives that did better in the test? And what they might cost? Thanks.

 

[Jeff H]

I dump in a cup of Power Service about once a month. I can tell there is a difference. Crisper throtle responce. I get a little better mileage too.

 

[WDaniels]

There is a product called Duralt. Don't know if it lives up to it's claims. There are alot of CTD people trying it now. There is a thread about it in the engine forum I think. It's at www.buyduralt.com If you call and order, tell them you are a TDR member and you get a discount.

WD

 

[1tuffram]

I just posted a reply on the thread "amalgated diesel additive" in the products forum about my disappointing response from Amsoil about thier cetane boost.



As far as the Duralt product, I read the threads on it and sent them an email asking for some technical info so I could compare their product to the Amsoil I use. I never recieved a response from Duralt, Hmmmm... ... . I'll still follow the Duralt threads and see what results guys are getting before I make any final conclusions

 

[rrl989]

Too bad they show no testing of Stanadyne. Thought it was quite popular. I'm guessing that it probably doesn't live up to its claims either, but I do notice less smoke (as advertised).



Ron

 

[tntway]

i'm with...

Jeff H. i use the power service and well the baby just feels better and i do notice a difference in my mileage...

 

[HEMI®Dart]

See here for ordering info:



http://216.235.147.117/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=41712

 

[Wheaties]

Originally posted by FF1063

Too bad they show no testing of Stanadyne. Thought it was quite popular. I'm guessing that it probably doesn't live up to its claims either, but I do notice less smoke (as advertised).



Ron

I suspect it may be because Stanadyne lives up to its claims that it was omitted from the test. Remember the fundamental purpose of the test is to demonstrate that their product is better. Why else would you omit as popular product as Stanadyne? Someone refresh my memory, was Lucas in the test also?



Matt

 

[Animal]

Yes Lucas was there @ 1. 6... .

 

[Sled Puller]

With my mods, I can tell on start up and hard acceleration where I bought my fuel.



The additves help with the cheap stuff, (cuts smoke and missing)but I cannot see a difference when I have good fuel in there.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

Matt sez:



"I suspect it may be because Stanadyne lives up to its claims that it was omitted from the test. Remember the fundamental purpose of the test is to demonstrate that their product is better. Why else would you omit as popular product as Stanadyne?"



GREAT call Matt!



It's a cinch an article attempting to defame competing brands would NOT include stuff as good or BETTER than their own...

 

[Wheaties]

Thanks! IMHO... . just a guess on my part.

 

[Champane Flight]

Cetane

I use Amzoil Cetane boost for winter anti-gel only. In the summer before a oil change I use Amzoil diesel modifier. I can hear the engine quiet some and it does pickup some power. I only use straight #2 , No premium. Like the article says premium is only an additive package. What they didn't touch on are different additives in each brand, cetane levels from winter to summer, flash points, and gravitys. We get a report daily of refinery output, cetane levels, flash points, and gravitys. Our cetane levels never vary over 3 points in either direction. Ask your local wholesale distributer what the cetane level is on his fuel or call your local fuel terminal better yet. I get the greasiest stuff I can find (lowest gravity) and do not over use additives.



In the old days there was a additive called Siloo. We used it before oil changes on our rigs. Never had injecter problems over millions of miles on three trucks. I see it every once in awhile, but like the Amzoil better, so far so good. Like my Dad used to say " There is no such thing as a mechanic in a can!".

 

[REldridge]

Ctane boosters

I use Amsoil Ctane Booster, and have for sometime. I find it does the job. I travel between Las Vegas and Santa Barbara, Ca. a lot and can really tell the difference with and without Ctane Booster on the long high grades in between, especially in the hot summer.

Bob

 

[Pit Bull]

I use Rotella DFA. I get it cheap at Sam's club $33 for 4 gallons and I figured that if it was made by the same people that make the oil I use in my truck I couldn't go to far wrong. I could be wrong on that last part, but until I see some solid facts that one DFA is better than another, I will stick with a cheap name brand.

 

[REldridge]

Pit Bull

If you buy 4 gallons at a time, how much do you have to use per tank full of fuel?

Bob Eldridge

 

[Pit Bull]

Originally posted by REldridge

Pit Bull

If you buy 4 gallons at a time, how much do you have to use per tank full of fuel?

Bob Eldridge

1oz for every 3 gallons of fuel. based on my fuel mileage that is good for 19K miles. It costs about 2. 8 cents per gallon treated. If you buy it at Sams club for $33. 00 per case (4 gallons). Then if you go to the Rotella web site you can print the rebate coupon and get $8. 00 back from Rotella, bring your costs down to 2. 1 cent per gallon treated. The price is right.

 

[BushWakr - RIP]

Re: Stanadyne...

Some inquiries made by another TDR member discovered that the same fellow from Amalgamted was commissioned by Stanadyne to blend an additive package for them. This was apparently about 15 years ago as he told it. This was their first run at diesel additive packages. When the package was done it was too effective and did not allow for sufficient "margin" to be sold "profitably", so they canned it. Stanadyne then went to Lubrisol to try again.

That was/is(?) the source of their package.

According to the Amalgamted person, the current Stanadyne fromulation has been tested and it is "poor to fair".

I use SPF..... for now.



Bob.

 

[Wheaties]

Interesting!



About a year ago, while I was still waiting for my truck to arrive, and I was reading just about every post on the TDR, I recall someone posting that they had just returned from a Cummins Mechanic's Refresher Course. He said that during the course, Cummins said Stanadyne was the only additive package they endorsed.



So there you have it. One person who heard someone else say something against another person who heard someone say something else. No VIN numbers, no hard evidence, just one rumor vs another. Who do you want to believe?



Matt

 

[BushWakr - RIP]

Ok Wheaties, you've got a point... .



The TDR member I referred to was my brother, and he made notes of the conversation, called me and related the conversation/notes back to me.

If that's of any value...

On the up(?) side, I've been using SPF for some time now and have the best results from it than any others I've tried. .

I'll let you know how the test goes once the #15 formula gets here and some runs/mileage happens.



Bob