What do I need to know about buying diesel fuel for my Kubota?

[Soundguy]

Most places I shop locally don't even keep the gray in stock. I don't suppose there is anything wrong with running white year round, or is there?

none at all.

silver bottle i believe is the cleaner.

 

[PoorMansCat]

no way i'd add modern atf to a modern diesel.

anything with a friction modifier ( oil ) or a DPF ( engine )..

In an older diesel I don't mind using some old tech type F atf or dex. III/merc etc..

Wasnt aware the OP had a DPF equipped Kubota.
2 cycle engine oil is the only think keeping several buddies 7.3L and 6.0L from dying. They have three and all have had numerous sets of injectors installed by Ford. Dealerships keep telling them its due to bad fuel.... we were sitting around the lease one evening and they were griping about spending so much on repairs for bad fuel. Told them to quit spending money on injectors and put some 2 stroke oil in it, fixed all 3 of them. Has been working for over 4 years. Nothing scientific, just pouring one of the little bottles in every tank or two.. They have said if they go about 3-4 tanks and forget, they get reminded by an intermittent fuel knock and several puffs of white smoke.
I would NEVER put MMO or ATF in a diesel engine, was NEVER designed to be part of the combustion process. hhmm Just looked back at my original post and it says 2 years, that was suppose to be 20 YEARS ago..
I agree, due to having a DOC/DPF on Tier 4 engines, one must be careful about what is put thru the engine as things such as zinc can affect the performance of the catalyst.

 

[DEWFPO]

Most places I shop locally don't even keep the gray in stock. I don't suppose there is anything wrong with running white year round, or is there?

Post 23

 

[DT86]

none at all. silver bottle i believe is the cleaner.

Post 23

10-4. Pretty much confirming what I thought I already knew.

 

[Soundguy]

Wasnt aware the OP had a DPF equipped Kubota.
t.

nor did i say he did. my comment was in general that i would not put atf into a newer fuel system.. or any atf with friction mods in any diesel.

 

[jodebg]

Check out Redline Diesel Fuel Catalyst-multipurpose product.

The HFRR rating is higher than OPti-LUbe and all other tested products.

 

[Gary Fowler]

Here is the list from
Lubricity Additive Study Results - Diesel Place : Chevrolet and GMC Diesel Truck Forums


In Order Of Performance:

1) 2% REG SoyPower biodiesel
HFRR 221, 415 micron improvement.

2)Opti-Lube XPD
Multi-purpose + anti-gel
cetane improver, demulsifier
HFRR 317, 319 micron improvement.

3)FPPF RV, Bus, SUV Diesel/Gas fuel treatment
Gas and Diesel
cetane improver, emulsifier
HFRR 439, 197 micron improvement

4)Opti-Lube Summer Blend
Multi-purpose
demulsifier
HFRR 447, 189 micron improvement

5)Opti-Lube Winter Blend
Muti-purpose + anti-gel
cetane improver
HFRR 461, 175 micron improvement

6)Schaeffer Diesel Treat 2000
Multi-purpose + anti-gel
cetane improver, emulsifier, bio-diesel compatible
HFRR 470, 166 micron improvement

7)Super Tech Outboard 2-cycle TC-W3 engine oil
Unconventional (Not ULSD compliant, may damage 2007 or newer systems)
HFRR 474, 162 micron improvement

8)Stanadyne Lubricity Formula
Lubricity Only
demulsifier, 5% bio-diesel compatible, alcohol free
HFRR 479, 157 micron improvement

9)Amsoil Diesel Concentrate
Multi-purpose
demulsifier, bio-diesel compatible, alcohol free
HFRR 488, 148 micron improvement

10)Power Service Diesel Kleen + Cetane Boost
Multi-purpose
Cetane improver, bio-diesel compatible, alcohol free
HFRR 575, 61 micron improvement

11)Howeç—´ Meaner Power Kleaner
Multi-purpose
Alcohol free
HFRR 586, 50 micron improvement

12)Stanadyne Performance Formula
Multi-purpose + anti-gel
cetane improver, demulsifier, 5% bio-diesel compatible, alcohol free
HFRR 603, 33 micron improvement

13)Used Motor Oil, Shell Rotella T 15w40, 5,000 miles used.
Unconventional (Not ULSD compliant, may damage systems)
HFRR 634, 2 micron improvement

14)Lucas Upper Cylinder Lubricant
Gas or diesel
HFRR 641, 5 microns worse than baseline (statistically insignificant change)

15)B1000 Diesel Fuel Conditioner by Milligan Biotech
Multi-purpose, canola oil based additive
HFRR 644, 8 microns worse than baseline (statistically insignificant change)

16)FPPF Lubricity Plus Fuel Power
Multi-purpose + anti-gel
Emulsifier, alcohol free
HFRR 675, 39 microns worse than baseline fuel

17)Marvel Mystery Oil
Gas, oil and Diesel fuel additive (NOT ULSD compliant, may damage 2007 and newer systems)
HFRR 678, 42 microns worse than baseline fuel.

18)ValvTect Diesel Guard Heavy Duty/Marine Diesel Fuel Additive
Multi-purpose
Cetane improver, emulsifier, alcohol free
HFRR 696, 60 microns worse than baseline fuel

19)Primrose Power Blend 2003
Multi-purpose
Cetane boost, bio-diesel compatible, emulsifier
HFRR 711, 75 microns worse than baseline

For anyone really interested, I suggest reading the referenced thread. He is very thorough and explains a lot.

Ken

This study is over 5 years old and may not reflect todays fuel properties. Just like the early ethanol issues which got corrected after a boatload of complaints with stopping up fuel filters, I would think, refineries/motor manufacturers would have addressed any issues of lubricity by now.
I think I will stick with my method of adding nothing since I have not had any fuel issues in the last 5 years with any of my diesel engines. Better to have nothing than using a product that is going to make it worse than using nothing. All my diesel equipment is 2009 or newer and should run ULSD as stand alone without any issues. As for winter gelling, if you are located in frozen north, you likely need it to prevent gelling, that is all I would put in but if using a winter blend, one shouldn't need anything. For the few dolllars a bottle of anti-gel cost, it would be worth the cost as extra preventative measure against gelling assuming some fuel didn't get switched over.