Confused about various diesel additives

[93Mustang]

Heading into winter and I want to prepare my fuel. Additionally, beyond the winter blend of diesel, I need some clarification as to what makes the most sense, both for the winter and just generally. I have read a good bit and it seems that Power Service is the prefered brand. Took a look at their website and they have five different additives:confused2:. I think it makes sense to add a dash of 911 heading in to the winter, and from everything else I have read, it seems the "white" PS stuff year round would be helpful. The website shows 3 white bottles of different additives so I am not sure which way to go? Please let me know your thoughts (tractor has about 220 hours on it so fairly low (with just serviced fuel filters) and and it can take me a couple of months to burn through a full tank of 11 or so gallons if that matters at all)There may already be a thread that speaks to the specific additives so point me in that direction as well. Thank You in advance!

Dana

 

[bp fick]

I use this one.

It works. I have no particular axe to grind or dog in this hunt or horse in this race...... well, anyhow.
Power Service Products, diesel fuel additives, prevent gelling, clean injectors, disperse water, boost cetane, reduce emissions, improve fuel economyPower Service Products, diesel fuel additives, prevent gelling, clean injectors, disperse water, boos

 

[Dmace]

I use Power Service year round in my tractor and did in my old 94 Ford F-350 diesel too! It works and you can tell the difference!

In the Spring/Summer/Fall (above 32F) months, I use the Power Service in the GRAY bottle. It has the Cetane booster and added lubricity that this new ULSD does not have.

In the Winter (below 32F), I use the Power Service in the WHITE bottle. It is the same as the GRAY bottle BUT it has an additive to prevent gelling for the cold winter weather and has yet to let me down. It works!

Lastly, I keep a small bottle of Power Service 911 in the RED bottle in the shed for a backup. This is ONLY to be used AFTER your diesel fuel has gelled and you need to clear it up.

I used this stuff ONCE because I forgot to switch to the white bottle stuff in my truck and after a couple of below freezing nights, the fuel gelled and the truck wouldn't start. I took off the fuel filter, dumped out half the diesel fuel in the filter and topped it off with the 911 stuff. I cranked the engine a couple of times and let it sit for 15 mins, after that the truck started right up and no issues after that. :thumbsup:

 

[brokenknee]

I use this one.

It works. I have no particular axe to grind or dog in this hunt or horse in this race...... well, anyhow.
Power Service Products, diesel fuel additives, prevent gelling, clean injectors, disperse water, boost cetane, reduce emissions, improve fuel economyPower Service Products, diesel fuel additives, prevent gelling, clean injectors, disperse water, boos

That is what I use also. I did have my tractor gel up two years ago when it got down to a -25⁰ No fun siphoning fuel out and changing filter at that temp. I now mix my fuel before the weather get really cold.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I have used Power Serve in the white bottle and had good luck with it. I now use Howse. Main reason is that is what sells good around here. They have it a Menards and Rural King and 7 out of 10 guys use it in my neck of the woods.

Chris

 

[Lt CHEG]

I've been doing a lot of reading about various diesel truck topics after picking up my new F250. According to Ford all their diesels since the 6.0 are designed to run on 45 cetane or better. In my area the pumps all say "40 cetane minimum" and my guess is that they aren't much over that. So I just bought my first bottle of Motorcraft PM22 cetane boost and fuel treatment. I haven't filled up yet (still have better than a half tank) but everyone seems to be saying that some sort of cetane boost is a virtual necessity with the 6.4 liter powerstroke if you want to get anything approaching respectable fuel economy. Supposedly the Motorcraft PM22 is made by Stanadyne, but after doing some pricing on the internet, the best prices for both the PM22 or the Stanadyne are pretty close so I'll probably stick with the Ford product when I make a bulk purcase after the holidays. I'm sure the power service is good stuff too, I guess I'd just make sure that you're getting some sort of cetane boost in your tank if you're running any of the newer diesels.

 

[JESSE1]

I have an '08 F-450 with the 6.4l. I've tried the Motorcraft cetane boost and I really couldn't tell a difference in mileage or engine sound. I have the 4.30 axle ratio and I average around 12 mpg.

 

[Skyco]

I think it makes sense to add a dash of 911 heading in to the winter

No! Don't do that...it is for emergency deicing/degelling as another poster said. It contains alochol and that is generally a bad idea in a diesel unless you absolutely have no choice.

Personally I run PS white bottle in the coldest part of winter and silver bottle the rest of the year.
Someone will come along and say you don't need any additives but I can hear a noticeable difference in how smooth my 7.3L Powerstroke runs with the PS.

 

[JD5210]

Last year this time, I put some John Deere winter additive into my fuel, because I could not seem to get a straight answer if/when they went with number 1 off road diesel for the winter. I noticed not long after it stopped smoking as much when I started it up. I switched to summer conditioner, because it was half the cost. The tractor continued to smoke less and less to the point that it no longer smokes. Now I only have to 吐lick the key and it starts right up even after sitting for 2 weeks. Granted this year I have not started it below 40 degrees. I am sold on using it.

 

[crazyal]

I had a case of CRC diesel therapy with anti gel that was in the discount bin for a buck a quart. I would run it year round until I've finally used it up. I do have a large bottle of white Power Service but I haven't started to use it yet.

My only problem is my Kubota has a half tank of summer diesel so I added some extra CRC and topped off the tank. I'm hoping that with a little use it'll mix. If not I'll need to get some 911.

 

[Diamondpilot]

As LT Cheg said the problem with diesel fuel is there is very little quality control. I have got 2-3 mpg lower after a fill up at a station other than my normal station. All my neighbors have diesel trucks also and say the same thing when they are traveling. Its not like gas where you know what you are getting via the octane rating.

Chris

 

[DEWFPO]

I use PS in the white bottle and have for years. No issues at all.

DEWFPO

 

[Willl]

Opti-Lube XPD for me.

 

[Willl]

I have got 2-3 mpg lower after a fill up at a station other than my normal station.

Same here. Get a 2 mile difference between Shell and Valero fuel. Shell being the higher.

 

[Ken_CT]

I use Power Service in the white bottle year round, no problems. I put a little more than called for, as I don't use that much diesel in my BX23.

 

[picker77]

For 9 years now I've run Stanadyne Blue in the winter and Stanadyne Junior in the summer in my 2001 Duramax LB7, and it seems to work great. However, it might be like elephant repellent spray, which would also work great around my place. However, the "experts" on the Diesel forums seem to think it's the best going, and I'm told GM has approved it for their older Duramax engines. Lots of folks also use the Wally World stuff and like it, though, and no doubt it's cheaper. Since ULSD I've always felt I should use something, and the Stanadyne only adds about 8-9 cents a gal to my fuel costs. Seems worth it to me, but I'm not a heavy driver (2001 Duramax, 70K miles).

 

[radioman]

Red bottle of power service is for emergencies only. Use the white bottle for winter, and gray for summer.

 

[93Mustang]

The collective experience on this site is amazing. Picked up a bottle of white PS for now, a gray for next spring and some 911 just in case. Appreciate the help! - Dana

 

[dodge man]

I have done some reading on the subject, and I think it's a waste of money to add anything except in the winter to prevent gelling. I found the article on this web site on a long series of post about additives. The gist of the story was if additives helped, they either add them at the refinery or would if the helped.

 

[LBrown59]

I use Power Service in the white bottle year round, no problems. *I put a little more than called for, as I don't use that much diesel in my BX23.

I use a Qt. of PS white bottle per 55 gallons of diesel.