What additives do you use in your fuel and engines?

[5030]

Lots of snake oil additives out there to be purchased. Everything under the sun.

Myself, I use Biocide in my diesel storage tank (Powerservice Bio-Kleen) and Powerservice winter and summer additives as well. I also use Archoil additives in my engines, especially the AR Nano-Borate oil additive. Not cheap but keeps the engines clean inside. I switched from Rotella straight 30 weight to 5-40 Rotella T6 some years back as well.

Typically, I have around 500 gallons of diesel on hand constantly and I'm always concerned about algae growing in my bulk tank. Been down the algae highway before and it's not a cheap fix, even if you do the work yourself. My last go around with it cist me almost a grand in new parts and a lot of time and labor. I'd rather use an ounce or two of prevention than have to del with the slime.

What are your favorite elixirs and why?

 

[dodge man]

I use a Lucas product for anti gel in the winter and sometimes some kerosene mixed in. Also Stabil for long term gas storage. I’m not a big fan of using additives unless for a specific reason, like the OP’s biocide for longer term diesel storage.

 

[shooterdon]

I use a biocide as well. Plus another additive to deal with moisture; and the Power Service winter and summer additives. For the 100 gallons a year I use it seems like cheap insurance.

 

[Sberry]

A little bio, thats it. Most of that shat makes a bigger mess than it fixes.

 

[TerryR]

None. I've not found an issue in over 20 years with that plan.

I used to use Stabil for full for my small engines, but stopped that five years or so ago (about the time I switched to ethanol-free gasoline) and have found no ill effect. I buy my diesel in 10-gallon lots, which I use in a few months, so that's not an issue for me.

 

[the old grind]

I add Sta-Bil to gas cans when I get 'em home. Golf cart, Terramite, bucket truck, and ZTR get gasoline fuel. My diesel cans get Howe's, PS white bottle, and Stanadyne lubricity formula when I bring 'em home. CUTs, skidder, and Kioti Mechron get fueled from the same cans.

 

[wolc123]

For my dozen or so "occasional use" gas motors, I use ethanol free gas, treated with Stabil. The car, truck, SUV, van, lawnmowers, and 1951 Ford 8n tractor get untreated 87 octane unleaded gas.

My 2005 JD 4120 tractor gets diesel purchased 5 or 10 gallons at a time and treated with Stadyne performance formula in spring, summer, and fall, and PS arctic formula in winter. I still have the original 2005 fuel filter in that tractor, it has always run well, and I have never drained any water from the from it.

My 1999 Johnson outboard motor also has the original fuel filter, and has never required carb cleaning or adjustment. I have been using the ethanol free gas in that for at least the last 10 years.

I think that the fuel supplements that I use are cheap, time-saving ways to eliminate any fuel issues with my engines.

 

[Rdrcr]

For diesel, I use Stanadyne

For gasoline, I use Sta-Bil

Mike

 

[5030]

I think the worst thing is the algae issue. Once you get it, it's real hard to get rid of and it destroys things like fuel pumps and lift pumps and it's nasty and it was my own fault for using B20 bio diesel. Once I got rid of the algae, m and B20 parted company forever but I still use a biocide in my bulk tank as added insurance (and I drain off any sediment in the bottom regularly too. It does sweat inside a bit.

The Archoil Nano-Borate additive is amazing. When I pulled the valve covers on my 7.3 at 100K miles, it was like new under there, no sludge, nothing. Same with my 6000 hour Kubota. Just as clean as new. Even my Kubota tech at the dealership was amazed how clean the overhead was....and my oil takes a pretty long time to darken as well.

One thing I do notice with the T6 and that is, it gets a green hue after a while (before it starts getting dark). Not sure what that is all about. The straight 30 weight Rotella never did that.

 

[5030]

Non e-gas is hard to get here (some outlets) but they charge a premium price for it. Around here, it's called 'Recreational Gasoline' of all things.

 

[TractorTYMe]

I only use anti-gel additives in the cold season. Else straight red-dye diesel in mah tractor.

 

[RalphVa]

I put the white bottle PS in the diesel I put into the generator's 60 gallon tank. Lately, I've been taking fuel from it for the tractor.

Otherwise, never used any additive for 39 years in the diesel cars.

 

[5030]

I won't get into where else I use farm fuel...lol Lets just say, I'm cheap and don't take the truck anywhere where anyone can stick the tank....lol

 

[5030]

What I've often wondered is, I wonder if refiners add any bio diesel to their supposedly no bio diesel blends?

 

[jjeff]

Marvel mystery oil. A very old marine diesel mechanic told me about it. He claimed he never had to replace an injector or pump when you add it to diesel/ he worked on bigger work boats. I use it occasionally and neither have I though id be very reluctant to put it in newer diesels with dpf etc.

 

[the old grind]

MMO is 40% or so odorless mineral spirits and 40% or so 'light mineral' oil per MSDS, but then so is WD-40 per its.

As for E-anything alcohol as fuel remains an energy-negative product. IMO there are better uses for CRP lands than growing crappy corn to cash in on federal subsidies.

btw, with all the signs against solar farms going up around here our diesels may be around or longer than we think vs going electric.

 

[Cougsfan]

I use nothing in my gas, and nothing in my diesel. I tend to think most additives are snake oil. For my small engines I do use non-ethanol fuel. We don't have much biodiesel around my neck of the woods (thank goodness). I haven't had any fuel issues in decades.
(soapbox time)
I love the concept of biodiesel, but in reality the stuff we get today is an inferior diesel with all sorts of inconsistencies and problems. It may work someday, but manufacturers would need to re-engineer diesel fuel systems to successfully run such an inconsistent, corrosive, and often impure fuel. The same goes for ethanol. It is nothing more than a crappy additive. The difference is modern cars have been re-engineered to successfully run the e10 while most small engines haven't. And whoever believes ethanol is going to help reduce CO2 build-up in the atmosphere isn't aware of the fossil fuel energy required to produce ethanol. It is a contrived story line created to subsidize the farming industry.

 

[oosik]

I'm about 50 miles north of Cougsfan and might get a tad colder in the winter. Whatever - I DO use PS in my diesel fuel - year round. I've had one experience with the diesel jelling. I took my portable generator and wife's hairdryer down the driveway. Half an hour of this nonsense - problem cured. Once in 40+ years out here. That was 38 years ago.

Brother - you have hit the nail squarely on the head, Cougsfan. "It's a contrived story line created to subsidize the farming industry".

 

[Wagtail]

Ethanol free (91 octane) petrol for the ute, Lawn Tractor and 2-stroke mix. Non-bio diesel for the 4105.
"Fuel Doctor" in ALL the fuel tanks.

Sorry but "Fuel Doctor" is only available in Aus & NZ.

 

[mcfarmall]

I buy my diesel in a few 5 gallon cans so it's always fresh, use Stanadyne performance in the silver bottle, non-ethanol rec gas in the lawn tractors and the C.