Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Winter fuel cond./Fuel addatives

[PGaither]

Should I be running the fleetguard winter fuel conditioner/addative they sell at Cummins dealers? They told me I don't need it because gas stations put it in there diesel fuel annyway? Isn't that different? How can I be sure gas stations are using a winter blend? Should I use it anaway (the fleetguard stuff)? Don't they have to (gas stations)? I live in South east Massachusets, its about 30 degres out right now (5:30 pm). Also what is that asphatelene conditioner by fleetguard? What does it do? Should I use that in the summer? What about cetane booster in a fuel addative? Is that important, or a waste of money $$$$?

 

[shendren]

my $. 02.



run the pi%^ out of your truck. use anti-gel in the winter if it's not treated. if in doubt, treat it.



else,

use nothing.



i see no difference in running that crap in my truck.



you'll get all kinds of opinions. mostly from guys that won't keep their truck over 200k mi.



fuel treatments won't make a difference in the end... ...



good luck,



should be an interesting thread... ... ...

 

[JNailor]

I've never put anything in my '94 except fuel. Northern fuel is winterized already, plus we have an electric fuel heater too. (If it works??)

I have 143000 miles and have never gelled down to minus 8 degrees.

 

[DKayser]

Howes

A friend has a 92(?) with OVER 400K on it. It is driven like it was stolen. Good regular service, and 4 oz of Howes every tank. This guy used to drive a big rig,and he swears he doesn`t have a diesel mile w/o the Howes. Good enough voucher for me. DK.

 

[mdivincentis]

Anybody heard of LDL diesel additive? It is in a clear bottle. Thats what they sell now at my usual station...

 

[DMC]

I've used Power Service, Fppf, Howes, And Rotella Diesel Fuel additive to prevent gelling in the winter. I once gelled up in Ohio, had bought some winterized fuel in Tennessee. I put FPPF in each fuel tank and waited about ten minutes, hit the starter and she came to life. I use about 8 onces of the Rotella Fuel additive at each fill up in the cooler months. I think it helps keep the injectors cleaner. Howes says they will tow you if you gell, I used that stuff my last few years truckin with no ill effects, Trucks always did a good job. I would even shut down unless the temps were in the mid teens. Many say Stanadine is the best. Lots of opinions on this, hell the old timers used to add a percentage of gas to their fuel to prevent gelling, Volkwagen said you could do that also. Read it out of a Rabbit Truck manual 1980.



Good Luck



Don

 

[shendren]

yep,



i used to add no lead to my rabbit diesel with no problems. .

 

[TJMoor]

We use Standadyne in our fuel. . although the local fuel spots are winter rated, it seems to allow easy start up at temps lower then -10 degrees F and we can get them all thru the winter... also have noticed less carbon on the injector tips...

 

[bmoeller]

I was using PS, mostly before getting the Dodge, for the anti-gel in the winter. I have been using the regular Lucas fuel additive (not winter blend) since. Never had a problem.



We sometimes have to use it (PS) in the semis if we get fuel from a particular truckstop. They only have a 30% #1/70% blend, instead of 50/50, and have had it gel up before.



I do get a little better mileage with the Lucas (. 5mpg) additive.

 

[BigPapa]

What about kerosene? I used to run 2 gal kerosene to 15 gal diesel in a little Isuzu diesel when it was below freezing for a few days. Never gelled and never had any problems.

 

[DMC]

Kerosene is used by a lot of folks up in alaska and in th every cold climates. At least that is what a guy from Reliable Carriers told me. They haul for the automakers when they do commercials.



I think you would do just as well with a good additive in temps in the 15-32* range. Another consideration is wind chill factor on your fuel system. I do know that we always had the road trucks protected to 50-60 below zero as far as the antifreeze was concerned. And used weather fronts on the radiator.



Good Luck



Don

 

[starring]

Last winter I had temperatures of -50 and the only thing i did was dump fuel in. I am not sure of the fuel in Mass. but in Michigan i have found Amaco (BP) to be the best winter diesel, and I now use it exculsively.

 

[DMC]

Starring:

I have to say I think you mean -50 wind chill... ... ... ... .



Thanks



Don