Fuel Additives

[RobS]

Just got back from a graduation party at a buds house. He's a diesel mechanic and we got to talking about additives. I currently use Power Service but he says that stuff is bad and their 911 is worse. All they use is Stanadyne. He says this is a much bigger issue with biodiesel as it forms algae much easier than conventional diesel. We didn't get a long discussion but I thought I'd throw this out and see what others have heard.

 

[RalphVa]

My Benz diesel is 25 years old and has about 210k miles on it. I recall using diesel additive 3, maybe, 4 times in its life. Twice, it developed a constant speed ping. Put Chevron Techron (or is it Red Line?). Stopped the ping. First was right after we bought it after sitting on the showroom floor 1 year old with 22k miles on it. Second time was after it had been stored for 4 1/2 years, brown diesel. The other time or two, I got a wild hair up my tail and put some Powerservice in it.

Started off using the PS in my tractor. Almost never use it now. Think its main value might be for old fuel, to counteract any algae possibility, and in really cold winter to prevent wax formation in the fuel. My fuel is reasonably fresh all the time, and our winters don't really get cold enough to have much trouble with wax formation.

Unless you have a problem, I think you're wasting your money to use them all the time.

Ralph

 

[RobS]

A few more things I recall from the conversation...

He said PS911 has a lot of alcohol in it which does well to absorb the water in the fuel. Trouble is, the remaining alcohol dilutes the fuel which reduces it's lubricity for the moving parts of the pump and injectors. Makes sense to me, but to what extent does this happen with a small amount of the additive?

He also mentioned a seminar that his boss went to at a fuel company. They talked about biodiesel. Apparently, it only had a (guaranteed) shelf live of 30 days past manufacture. This would include transportation and storage times. They asked about this and the fuel supplier didn't have a good answer. Sounds fishy to me but who knows?

 

[Skyco]

Well RobS- if your mechanic friend is so misinformed to think algae (it is actually microbes) forms in diesel fuel then I don't think I'd put much stock in what he thinks about fuel additives

 

[chh]

My neighbor had the injection pump and injectors rebuilt on his old Dodge cummins a couple of months ago. The diesel shop that did it really recommended using an additive on a regular basis. Not every tank, but pretty often. They sold Lucas(I think) but generally didn't recommend one brand over another. Their basic advice was "Just get some and use it, it will help."

 

[sixdogs]

About 20 years ago a diesel shop owner mentioned Stanadyne to me and I have used it faithfully ever since in every tank. I have gone thousands of tractor hours for Ford, Kubota and Deere and NEVER had an injector cleaned or taken apart. Never had a failure to start and never had any funny sounds while on the tractor. Well, maybe after baked beans for supper.
Beats me but I used it becasue he used it and it worked for me. I also filter my fuel with a double filter (water separator and filter) before it goes into my machinery.

 

[em14]

I googled Stanadyne to see where it is sold and didn't see any sources near me here in this part of Florida. I live near near Gainesville Fl. Is it sold by any of the "chain" auto stores i.e., NAPA?
Leo

 

[coobie]

Just got back from a graduation party at a buds house. He's a diesel mechanic and we got to talking about additives. I currently use Power Service but he says that stuff is bad and their 911 is worse. All they use is Stanadyne. He says this is a much bigger issue with biodiesel as it forms algae much easier than conventional diesel. We didn't get a long discussion but I thought I'd throw this out and see what others have heard.

Look at this website on additives http://www.hbruns.com/images/LubricityStudy.JPG lower numbers are better,with that said I have been useing stanadyne PF,primrose 405-405 and now schaffers diesel treat in my 2004 cummins diesel,kioti tractor,kubota RTV diesel,and kubota ZTR diesel.I have never had a problem with injectors or gelling.coobie

 

[thatguy]

Look at this website on additives http://www.hbruns.com/images/LubricityStudy.JPG lower numbers are better,with that said,I have been useing stanadyne PF,primrose 405-405 and now schaffers diesel treat in my 2004 cummins diesel,kioti tractor,kubota RTV diesel,and kubota ZTR diesel.I have never had a problem with injectors or gelling.coobie

Is this your website? I went up one level looking for an article to go with the graph/jpg, and saw the 'famous' AR15.com dinner pictures and just wondered..

brian

 

[coobie]

Is this your website? I went up one level looking for an article to go with the graph/jpg, and saw the 'famous' AR15.com dinner pictures and just wondered..

brian

No this is a copy of a independent fuel additive study.It is called spicer fuel additive study.try this website, www.johnfjensen.com/Diesel_fuel_additive_test.pdf

 

[SteveInMD]

I am now in the "additives are a waste of money" camp. I'll use a stabilizer like PRI-D only if I'm going to be storing the fuel for a long time, but that's it.

 

[alvanko]

I generally use Power Service in the winter to prevent gelling. Rarely use an additive in the summer. I do add a splash of ATF every once in a while. I heard it acts at a cleaner for the injectors. (Fact or fiction?)

 

[frank_miller]

I do not use PS anymore due to testing house comments. Use only Fp3000 or zero.

 

[Noland]

That study is interesting and informative but I wish they would have tested the regular Power Service additive instead of the Diesel Kleen. It is probably the most widely available additive in the U.S. and they left it off the list.

 

[Sniggle]

I was having some hesitation/stumbling problems with my Kubota G1900 (had 1100 hours), and the local dealer recommended adding a deisel fuel additive. After a tank the problem was gone and has not returned.

I now put deisel fuel additive in all my deisel.

 

[DieselPower]

Having been a diesel mechanic and now working in the lubricants industry I'm a firm beliver in using additives. I use them in everything I own from my diesel trucks and tractors to gas powered cars and even my mowers. As long as it keeps my fuel economy up about 1 1/2 to 2 percent it's a no cost product and get all the other benefit's for free. I have had to replace to many injectors and injection pumps on other peoples equipment over the years, I would rather not have to replace my own.

 

[Solo]

I started using Power Sevice in my TC18 this spring. I have noticed the operating temperature seems to be lower. My dealer recommends Stanadyne.

Solo

 

[frank_miller]

I know I would NOT used Power Service ever again. Now Stanadyne was noted since they made the pumps back in the day on the Powerchokes...Now, Again I only use FP3000 or nothing since they cause too much issue with UOA's.

 

[RichZ]

DieselPower, could you tell us what additives you use in what, and what benefits you get? I've read lots of your posts, and respect your opinions and observations.

 

[DieselPower]

I use what I sell. Either TRC's (Texas Refinery Corp.) Dzl-Pep or Dzl-Pep Arctic in my diesel equipment and Dzlene XL/10 in my gas powered equipment and my home heating oil tank for the furnace.

Benefits for pretty much anything with a fuel pump is added lubricity and therefore longevity (even gas engines with in tank lift pumps), continued use keeps the fuel system clean (ie. the injector internals, combustion chamber) thereby helping to maintain original fuel economy. There's no magic bullet in a bottle that's going to get you super fuel economy but a properly formulated additive will keep the fuel system clean which is important in high pressure diesel injectors where a dirty injector fowls up the spray pattern. Dirty injectors lead to incomplete combustion since the fuel isn't fully atomized and therefore the engine is less efficient, lower fuel economy. Keep it clean and it maintains it's like new economy.

It also helps to remove water from fuel systems and in the winter with the correct additive prevents fuel gelling. With the often irregular quality of diesel fuel these day's regarding lubricity properties the addition of lubrication to the fuel system in a diesel engine is reduced wear in the injection pump and injector nozzles. With all the regulations we have in this country the one thing we are lacking in is high standards for fuel. We have some of the worst lubricity standards for diesel fuel in the world not to mention deposit standards.

A good fuel additive in a diesel engine should pay for itself by maintaining better efficiency/fuel economy. In my case if I get a 2% increase in fuel economy as compared to a broken in engine with some time on it and no additive the additive doesn't cost anything, it pays for it itself.