Use of Cetane in fuel

[Paystar]

I used to run Power Service in all my stuff, big trucks included. Then one time with my Powerstroke pickup I had issues in Indiana. Stopped at a Ford dealer and they said I had two injectors gone but they couldn't fix it. Said I could make it home but with it running rough and poor fuel mileage.
So (can't remember how I ended up with it?) I had a bottle of Howes. Dumped some in, drove for 10 minutes on the freeway and the injectors unstuck and the engine lights went out. So that sold me on Howes.

But whatever you choose to use in these new engines....make sure it is safe for your DPF or you will be in for a big bill.

 

[BubbaJr]

If you keep your tractor in a heated barn, is there any advantage to using additives?

Joe

 

[Fallon]

I use Power Service in my diesel fuel to prevent jelling.

Same. White bottle. It boosts Cetane & lubes too I think, but dump it I'm my 300 gallon tank when it's filled every year or 2 for the gelling aspect.

 

[Fallon]

If you keep your tractor in a heated barn, is there any advantage to using additives?

Joe

Ya, when you drive it out of the unheated barn... the tank cools off to at or near ambient tempature.

 

[BubbaJr]

Ya, when you drive it out of the unheated barn... the tank cools off to at or near ambient tempature.

But with the fuel tank over the engine, it doesn't take long for it to heat up. I got my first Kubota in 2001, it was stored outdoors (also in the winter) until we moved to the new house and put the tractor in the barn. I never had a fuel jell issue in all that time. I never had an issue with the injectors either. I don't doubt that some of you had issues, I'm just saying that I never had any fuel issues.

Joe

 

[Fallon]

But with the fuel tank over the engine, it doesn't take long for it to heat up. I got my first Kubota in 2001, it was stored outdoors (also in the winter) until we moved to the new house and put the tractor in the barn. I never had a fuel jell issue in all that time. I never had an issue with the injectors either. I don't doubt that some of you had issues, I'm just saying that I never had any fuel issues.

Joe

The fuel tank on my old L3200 was like that. On my new L4060 it's between the cab & transmission. Ya they heat up but not as much as the engine. Even worse for truck fuel tanks. Not to mention what happens if you shut down or break down. Might not get going again if you are down for long.

 

[diesel85]

I was recommended by my dealer to use very small amounts of Power Service. For my tractor, a bottle will last a little over 1 year. Never had any issues, engine runs nice and clean.

 

[grsthegreat]

Weird... i have 4 diesel engines dating back to 1994. I dont use diesel additives. I have never had any gelling. Up here in north idaho they use winter blend diesel. Maybe thats why i have no issues. My 2004 f350 did have an occasional issue with 1 fuel injector, and since i use this truck to haul horses i elected to replace injector instead of messing with trying to clean it. We had a long trip coming up and i didnt want to risk it.

Other than that, no problems. I remember buying a bottle of power service after reading alot of posts about the need to use it....but as usual i never did use it and its still on my shelf. My dodge has 320,000 miles on it ... original injectors, no fuel additives. The ford has 97,000.

 

[ericm979]

If you're buying California fuel you're getting higher cetane. California mandates at least 53 while federal is 40. However according to this article, higher cetane doesn't affect performance or economy much:

Shop Class: The Past 5 Years of Auto Advances (the first article is about cetane)

 

[FatTire]

Weird... i have 4 diesel engines dating back to 1994. I dont use diesel additives. I have never had any gelling. Up here in north idaho they use winter blend diesel. Maybe thats why i have no issues. My 2004 f350 did have an occasional issue with 1 fuel injector, and since i use this truck to haul horses i elected to replace injector instead of messing with trying to clean it. We had a long trip coming up and i didnt want to risk it.

Other than that, no problems. I remember buying a bottle of power service after reading alot of posts about the need to use it....but as usual i never did use it and its still on my shelf. My dodge has 320,000 miles on it ... original injectors, no fuel additives. The ford has 97,000.

What are your low temps during colder-than-average winters? One time we were filling our Ford and it was around -18F, and I discovered the winter blend was gelled in the hose at the fuel pump. We were pretty low on fuel and in a remote area, so we didn't have the option to just go to another station, so we moved around to the other side of the island to a pump whose hose was in the sun, which was not gelled. In situations like that I add some PS before pulling away.

Edit: My wife says -18F was the temp when we got to our destination, and was "minus 20 something" at the pump.