Diesel Fuel Additives - (Good Basic Info)

[Beachbumcook]

Saw this info on the following site... Read entire post... they mention different brands, but I enjoyed learning about the different components of diesel fuel additives (DFA). Website: http://www.turbodieselregister.com/ What is the consensus on fuel additives? About twice a year on the web site the subject of fuel additives appears. The fall/winter season causes the most inquiries as we search for magic elixirs to help lower the pour point of the fuel for cold weather operation. If we’re going to pour in an additive, let’s make sure it provides other benefits too. That is what Kevin/ “Oil Man,” Santa Clara, CA, did with an investigation of several fuel additives. The following is his report. Don’t we wish that a fuel additive could do everything? I’ve looked at some of the most popular ones and will share what I have found. Feel free to add info to my list but try and keep it to facts and not hype. The things that should be in a fuel additive are: 1. Ashless detergent/dispersant to ensure cleaner fuel system from the filters to the combustion chamber. Benefits: The ashless detergent/dispersant is the key to no deposits while it is cleaning injectors, etc. 2. Oxidation inhibitor that will guarantee longer fuel storage life without sludge or gum formations, which will block filters and choke the fuel system. Benefits: The oxidation inhibitor will benefit the guys that don’t run their trucks or farm equipment every day and need to know that the fuel won’t go bad just sitting there. 3. Pour point depressant to provide better low temp fuel flowability and to reduce cold filter plugging. Benefits: The pour point depressant will keep your filters from plugging up in severe cold weather for the guys in the cold country. 4. Demulsifier to cleanly separate water and fuel, to keep water at the tank bottom for easy removal before it goes to the fuel filter or farther. Benefits: The demulsifier separates the water from the fuel to keep algae from growing and filters from plugging. 5. Rust and corrosion and oxidation inhibitors to keep the inside of the tanks in good shape. Benefits: The rust and corrosion and oxidation inhibitors will keep the inside of the fuel tanks from rusting, etc. 6. Combustion improver that makes fuel more volatile for easier starts and more efficient combustion. Benefits: The combustion improver is one of the most important things. It will increase the power by making more of the fuel burn. This in turn will reduce the soot in your oil and make it go out the stack as cleaner exhaust. The result of decreased soot is a longer run from your oil. 7. Lubricating qualities to lubricate the pump, etc. Benefits: The lubrication qualities will help lubricate the pump because of the low sulfur fuel we have today. 8. Cetane improver for more power. Benefits: The cetane improver, well, we won’t tell the girls about this one because it just gives us the lead foot (more power). Most of these companies that I’ve looked at have other additives that do more things, but I have only looked at the ones that are most popular to us and the ones that are most widely used. Here is the information that I have come up with. STANADYNE – cost to treat: .066 to .076 per gallon. Features: 1,3,7,8. Stanadyne claims they get up to 8% better fuel mileage. POWER SERVICE – cost to treat: .032 per gallon. Features: 1,2,3,7,8. Power Service does not make any claim of fuel mileage increase. RED LINE 85 PLUS – cost to treat: .052 per gallon. Features: 1,2,5,7,8. Red Line had the best cetane improver at 5 to 9 point increase. CUMMINS PREMIUM PLUS – cost to treat: .088 per gallon. Features: 1,7. Cummins had no claim to increase mileage. LUBRICATION ENGINEERS DCI+ – cost to treat: .057 per gallon. Features: 1,2,3,4,5,6,7. Lubrication Engineers tests show an average of 7.4% mileage increase based on a 5 fleet 133 truck test. AMSOIL FUEL CONCENTRATE – cost to treat: .112 per gallon. Features: 1,2,3,7. To the best of my knowledge everything here is accurate. The info is based on direct e-mails to the companies and on web searches. Would you like an editorial opinion to go with Kevin’s research? Well, you’ll get it anyway. Reviewing Issue 28, page 110, I found Kevin Cameron’s dissertation on additives to be of interest. Further, I went back to Issue 16 to cover the errant use of automatic transmission fluid as the wonder elixir. The following is the answer to ATF usage and a bit of history behind the Cummins Premium Blue injector cleaner product. Information from Cummins states that ATF can damage your catalytic converter (trucks from ’94 through ’98). Additives for cold weather are OK. General additive usage “just because it seems right” is not necessary. The only product that Cummins recommends is Premium Plus injector cleaner. Surprised? Seriously, the Premium Plus cleaner was developed in the late 80’s with one purpose, to clean injectors. The product works! In 1988 newly legislated diesel exhaust regulations caused problems with big-rig injector carboning. The initial repair practice was to replace the fuel injector. Quite an expensive repair option, as typically the engine was still covered by the factory warranty. Cummins Premium Plus injector cleaner was released as a service repair to a skeptical distributor network. Time convinced the distributors of its value and effectiveness. With the move to low sulfur fuel in 1994, Cummins added a lubricity component and changed the packaging of the Premium Plus cleaner. It is a good product. Periodic use of additives to control mold and bacteria are not a bad idea. With the widespread use of catalytic converters on diesel engines it is doubtful the products would harm your converter. I can’t comment on these additives as I’ve never used the products. My advice, purchase your fuel at a reputable location!

[johnsdiesel]

HERE is a link that shows what each Stanadyne additive contains. It seems to me that the Stanadyne Performance Formula contains all of these. BTW, oxidation inhibitor = anti-oxidant. Also, unless you can be more specific, #s 6 and 8 seem to be the same thing. Improving cetane will improve combustion.

FYI, I'm not trying to thwart your research, just add to it. Good job!

[Kaloha]

how about usage ? should you use the additive every tankfull, every other tankfull ect... I have used it in my last 5 fill ups ,was just wondering if its needed on a regular basis and the frequencys

[johnsdiesel]

Originally Posted by Kaloha

how about usage ? should you use the additive every tankfull, every other tankfull ect... I have used it in my last 5 fill ups ,was just wondering if its needed on a regular basis and the frequencys

I use it in every tank.

[IB Tim]

Originally Posted by johnsdiesel

I use it in every tank.

John email me on you coolant filter stuff...............please

[jimmy-six]

I use Stanadyne in every tank. Milage up 2 mpg at 65/70 up 1 at 75/80. Some maybe from additional miles on the truck. I will continue to use it.

[mattsf250]

where do these prices come from??? i bought some of the POWER SERVICE at kragen last tank, ran me six bux. at 28 gallons full, thats another ~3 bux per fillup..... works out to 11 cents a gallon more for fuelage!
thats pushing the fuel price to over %2.60/gallon.

now, i dont know where 3 cents a gallon came from...... i DID notice milage increase however, so it may offset the cost, i just have not done the math.... i usually get about 420 miles to a tank, im at 390 now, and a little over 1/4 of a tank........so its lookin pretty good!

[IB Tim]

My tank is 44 gallons, I drop in 11 ounces, and buy it by the gallon.
Cost 40. a gallon, no... not cheap

[johnsdiesel]

I buy mine at Diesel Injection Service. Stanadyne Performance Formula is $4.58 a pint (treats 60 gallons) and Lubricity formula is $4.25 a pint (treats 120 gallons).

Tim, I'm getting an email ready on the coolant filter stuff for you.

[Beachbumcook]

John diesel,,,

Me to... or I thought I had already asked for the information on cooling system filters.

Thanks,

Jeff

[johnsdiesel]

Originally Posted by Beachbumcook

John diesel,,,

Me to... or I thought I had already asked for the information on cooling system filters.

Thanks,

Jeff

Check your email.

[johnsdiesel]

Tim and Jeff, let me know if you got my emails please.

[IB Tim]

Originally Posted by johnsdiesel

Tim and Jeff, let me know if you got my emails please.

Jeff is off line I am on and no email.........bummer

[Beachbumcook]

Nothing here - did not come through

[johnsdiesel]

I don't know why, but I'm having trouble sending emails through FTE. Please send me an email so I can reply directly to you. I don't think I've done anything that would have my email privelages removed.