Diesel Fuel Lubricity And Additives

Copperhead · Jul 25, 2014

Well, even with the pluses of bio, I have to stay aware of the negatives. To that end, I do use an additive I get from Schaeffer, the same folks I get my oils from. At least it is cost effective. 1 oz of their stuff treats 15 gallons of diesel. Since I go thru about 21,000 gallons of diesel a year, I have to pay attention to any additional cost. There will always be issues with deposits, water, and such that the days of just filling up and not taking a proactive approach to your fuel choices and treating it are pretty much gone. The complexity of modern engines, the emissions stuff being forced onto diesels now, and a myriad of other problems are making the game harder to play.

There are many good additives on the market, and people can pick and choose from what they like. There is no "perfect" additive, but there are many very good ones. Any recommendations I make are primarily motivated by both effectiveness and cost. Very "bang for the buck" oriented. I like the Schaeffer stuff, as I can get it for $167 for a 5 gallon pail and it is dosed at 1 oz per 15 gallons of diesel. Comes out to just under 2 cents a gallon.

3930dave · Jul 25, 2014

I've always heard good things about Schaeffer. Not easy to find in Canada, the only person I know using their stuff is a buddy in BC.... I think he picks his up in WA.

Coupla questions Copperhead....

1) Which Schaeffer product do you use to treat your diesel fuel, and why did you choose it over their other products ?

2a) How does this product handle/react with water ?

2b) Does it contain any alcohol ?

3a) How does Schaeffer sell their products - B2B only ? IE. do you have to have a registered business, tax #, etc. to order from them ?

3b) Do they typically direct ship only, or do they have any stocking distributors ?

Rgds, D.

Copperhead · Jul 27, 2014

the stuff I use in summer is this... http://www.schaefferoil.com/documents/264-137ND-td.pdf

For winter, I use.... http://www.schaefferoil.com/documents/44-137ULSW-td.pdf

The main reason I use these is that they do a very good job, and they are much more cost effective for me than most other products. Diesel additive comes in at about at just under 2 cents a gallon to treat in the summer, and slightly over 2 cents a gallon in the winter. No alcohol in the additive. Does a good job with any water condensation that might be going on. I go thru about 21,000 gallons of diesel a year, give or take, and diesel related problems are not really anything I have to concern myself with using these products.

Schaeffer is unique, in that they have stuff selling very limited on retail shelves. They are primarily industry and commercially targets products, but they will sell to anyone. Case lot minimum size. Case of individual cans, gallons, pails, drums, etc. No individual quarts or gallons. Cases only. And they don't do the Amsoil thing of a "dealer" in just about every county, or online sales. There are a few stocking reps and retail outlets around that do sell smaller quantiies, but not a lot. Now, there a few enterprising folks that are selling online, but the pricing is down right criminal. Any Schaeffer rep can get the products you want and have them shipped. Now, I get my stuff in larger quantities, so shipping is always free for me to my front door. You have to get about $375 in products at a time to get in on that free shipping thing. So, I have no idea how shipping prices are. I always suggest that folks get a group order together on products to take advantage of the free shipping thing. I go thru a couple of drums of oil a year for my diesels and a couple of cases of oil for my gassers. And a lot of additive over the year, so my orders can rack up a lot of cash at a time, so I always get the free shipping.

The rep I use can order and have any product shipped just about anywhere. Outside the U.S., there are reps in other countries around the globe.

My rep is here...... Schaeffer Oil | Dan Dykema - Sully, IA - Oil, Grease & Specialized Lubricants

but you should be able to find one closer if you want..... Schaeffer Oil | Find a Schaeffer Oil Sales Rep Near You

3930dave · Jul 27, 2014

Thanks for the Schaeffer 411 CuHead.

Rgds, D.

sweep · Aug 18, 2014

I use Stanadyne Performance Formula blend winter and summer..I can notice a difference..less smoke and I was working out in 10 below weather this past winter w/o a problem.

Dennis Hutton · Aug 18, 2014

Ottawa biofuel.

Nightforce · Aug 27, 2014

This is what I use in mine..........

George2615 · Aug 27, 2014

Nightforce said:
This is what I use in mine..........

Ditto for me too

Copperhead · Aug 28, 2014

What is the cost per application? I can get a pail of Schaeffer 137ULSW (winter variety) for around $137, based on my last buy. The application rate is 1 gallon to 1000 gallons of diesel or roughly 1 oz to 7.8 gallons of fuel. that makes the cost just under 3 cents per gallon of diesel. It does a fine job from N. Dakota to Ohio where I normally run.

PS has an application ratio of 1 oz to about 3 gallons, or less than have the number of treated gallons of fuel per oz compared to Schaeffer. Haven't checked on latest pricing on PS, but 80 oz of Schaeffer is around $17-18. And it would treat 624 gallons of diesel compared to PS treatment of 250 gallons.

Probably the numbers don't mean much to the average user, but I go thru over 21,000 gallons of diesel a year, so it can get real pricy depending on the additive one uses. And not always does the cost truly reflect the results. PS is s a good product, just not cost effective for me to use.

nova3930 · Sep 2, 2014

Copperhead said:
What is the cost per application? I can get a pail of Schaeffer 137ULSW (winter variety) for around $137, based on my last buy. The application rate is 1 gallon to 1000 gallons of diesel or roughly 1 oz to 7.8 gallons of fuel. that makes the cost just under 3 cents per gallon of diesel. It does a fine job from N. Dakota to Ohio where I normally run.

PS has an application ratio of 1 oz to about 3 gallons, or less than have the number of treated gallons of fuel per oz compared to Schaeffer. Haven't checked on latest pricing on PS, but 80 oz of Schaeffer is around $17-18. And it would treat 624 gallons of diesel compared to PS treatment of 250 gallons.

Probably the numbers don't mean much to the average user, but I go thru over 21,000 gallons of diesel a year, so it can get real pricy depending on the additive one uses. And not always does the cost truly reflect the results. PS is s a good product, just not cost effective for me to use.

80oz of DK runs about $20. To me the primary draw for DK is the fact it can be had nearly anywhere. Every parts house, gas station, truck stop, wal-mart, and tractor supply has the stuff on the shelf...