Fuel treatments , Is there a difference ?

NIXON · Feb 8, 2005

As far as performance goes , is there a difference between Power Service , Stanadyne ,or other fuel conditiners ? Performance meaning , removing water, preventing gelling ,boosting Cetane ,and cleaning/ lubing the injection system . John

Bob_Skurka · Feb 8, 2005

Yes there is a difference and that is why you should read the bottles. But the real question is . . . is there a PRACTICAL difference for YOUR application?

Some products prevent gelling to -40, other only to -25. If you live in a climate where the record cold temp is only -18 then is there any differnence for YOU? By the way, none actually remove the water, the water is typically emulsified and held in suspension and flushed through the system and burned along with the fuel. Some conditioners have cetane boosters, some do not. Some conditioners have cleaning properties, some do not.

I don't recommend any one brand, we use several, and have had good results with all of them. We use them in our truck fleet and can put 100,000 miles on the fleet in the winter months. I never criticize any one brand, but I don't advocate any one brand either.

Good fuel is more important than what brand treatment you use.

MikePA · Feb 9, 2005

I guess I am confused by your question. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

The products do what their labels say they do. Some protect to -40F, other don't. Some boost cetane, other don't. When I went looking for a fuel treatment my only concern was anti-gelling, so I looked at all the brands TSC had and picked the one that protected to the lowest temp, PowerService.

gsxr1100 · Feb 9, 2005

Yes, there is a difference. There is no (one fluid is the best in all areas).

Here is a Stanadyne chart...and you can see each fluid does different things.

I do not use any additives since up in N.E., the fuel distributor must add it to the fuel, by law.

http://www.dieselpage.com/addchart.htm

NIXON · Feb 9, 2005

Bob , Mike and Mike . Thanks for the responses .
Sorry if the question seemed confusing .
I use Stanadyne Performance additive . But I was looking to see if there might be a better product out there that some one is using . Mind You , I have no complaints about what I'm using now . Just wondered if someone had a superior product . I try to get my fuel at the same place . But It's not always possible , So a good additive is peace of mind to me . John

1962 · Feb 9, 2005

JOHN,I LIVE A FEW MILES SOUTH OF YOU AND I HAVE BEEN USING POWER SERVICE IN MY OUTSIDE BULK DIESEL TANK. I HAVE BEEN DRAWING FUEL ALL WINTER LONG, EVEN ON THE COLDEST DAYS WITH NO PROBLEMS TO SPEAK OF. THE EQUIPTMENT RUNS WITH NO PROBLEMS AT ALL. I THINK I BOUGHT THE POWER SERVE AT THE BUTLER TSC. I HAVE HEARD WALLY WORLD SELLS IT ALSO,PROBABLY A LITTLE CHEAPER.

MadDog · Feb 9, 2005

Many months ago I looked into the same question. I got and compared as much information as I could find on the Internet about PowerService, Stanadyne and PRI. I wrote emails to all of them and asked for specs and information. Some responded with lots of information, others ignored me. I tried to compare all of the data that I collected and the results were somewhat inconclusive, frequently because the data was not susceptible to comparison.

I use PRI for stabilization of gasoline, having done a similar comparison and being satisfied that it was the most effective product based on the data provided.

I'm presently using PowerService for deisel because it was more readily available than Stanadyne. I will probably continue to use it unless I have a problem.

Jim_Fisher · Feb 10, 2005

1962,

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I THINK I BOUGHT THE POWER SERVE AT THE BUTLER TSC. I HAVE HEARD WALLY WORLD SELLS IT ALSO,PROBABLY A LITTLE CHEAPER. )</font>

In my part of the state the three quart white container of Power Service is a dollar less at Tractor Supply (Strasburg) than at Walmart (Parkesburg). Not everything on the shelf in Walmart is a bargain.

Charolais · Feb 10, 2005

I've never used a Fuel treatment until 2 weeks ago. Being in the southern part of Va. we don't have winter fuel problems or it's rare.

I just bought a high mile(197,000/6.9L) F250 diesel. The truck has been well cared for. I stopped by the local NAPA and while there bought a quart of Lucas Fuel Treatment not Lucas Cold Weather Fuel Treatment. I'd read about the stuff and thought I'd try a bottle. THE STUFF WORKS!! It's quieter, starts better on cold mornings and seems to have more git up and go. So I tried some in my 99 Nissan (97,000/gas). Same thing. Told my good friend about it and he used it on his F250 7.3L. He said he couldn't believe the difference. To get a little better price I'm buying it in the 5gal. bucket now. I'll use it in both farm tractors, 81 IH dump truck (3208 Cat), and the rest of the gas engines. I'm sold on this product.

littlediesel · Feb 10, 2005

I have been using Stanadyne in my Kubota tractor's for several years. I absolutely see a difference on the starting performance when using Stanadyne.

Jon