I've never used a fuel additive in my 96 PSD, but intend to start. I've decided on Stanadyne Performance.

My question is, do I use it with every fill-up, every other fill-up...?

My fuel mileage has steadily gone down over the years. I've gone from 23 mpg down to 18-19 mpg average. Friends say it's the fuel quality causing the decrease. I thought maybe an additive might help.

What's y'alls thoughts?

 

Give it a try and see what it does, can't hurt. I would try using it every fill up.

 

I've been using the Stanadyne lubricity formula every fill-up for the last month or so. I haven't noticed an increase in mileage, but my PSD definitely runs quieter when I use it.

 

I've been adding Stanadyne to every fillup for over a year, with the exception of once. I plain forgot to put any in at one fillup, since I was involved in a conversation. Within 50 miles, I saw a noticeable drop in overall performance of my truck, and couldn't figure out what was causing it, until it dawned on me that I hadn't put Stanadyne in the tank. I found a spot to pull over, added the stuff, and within a few more miles, driveability started coming back. Once it got mixed into the fuel properly, the truck was back to normal. I won't forget again.
I think it's good for about .5 mpg, but since it's an injector cleaner, among other things, and I'm using it every tank with new injectors, it might help someone else more, especially at first.

 

What type of store do you guys buy stanadyne products? I have checked all over Chicago and still cant find it. If someone on here know of any place that carries this product in this area, please let me know. Thanks.

 

G brown,
I bought a 16 oz. bottle here in Houston, paid 7.50 for it. Then I bought it in 1/2 gal. jugs for 16.50 each. Seems this is the best way to go.

 

My truck used to give me a hard time starting even in moderately cold temperatures and gave a lot of white smoke from the unburned fuel. This past winter I started using the Standyne lubricity formula. Not only did my truck run smoother and quieter, it started easier and no more smoke at startup. I'm using Standyne Performance Formula now and plan on doing so every tank. There is a slight increase in mileage which offsets the cost of the bottle, but the performance increase is noticable. I also feel more confident that it will help keep the injectors and the rest of the engine clean.

 

I have read many posts on the fuel additives, either Stanadyne or Power Service, and all report at least (usually more) one noticeable performance difference. But, after reading my 7.3 manual again, I am really, really hesitant to use the additive "...may cause severe damage..."

Is it really OK to use. The added performance sounds great. Please convince me!

 

Yes it is OK to use, but I'm not the one honoring your warranty if you still have one. Ford does recommend using Standyne Performance Formula if the fuel gels in the winter, so it can't be bad for the engine. I think they're trying to protect themselves against excessive additive use.

 

Here is the OASIS message about Stanadyne:

0436 1999-2003 SUPER DUTY F-SERIES, 2000-2003 EXCURSION 7.3/6.0L DIESEL - LOW POWER USE FUEL ADDITIVE
SOME 1999-2003 SUPER DUTY F-SERIES/E-SERIES & 2000-2003 EXCURSIONS EQUIPPED WITH 7.3L/6.0L DIESEL ENGINE, OPERATING IN COLD CONDITIONS, MAY EXHIBIT A GRADUAL LOSS OF POWER AT CRUISE. THIS MAY BE CAUSED BY FUEL GELLING OR FREEZING IN THE IN-TANK SCREEN OR FUEL PICKUP. FUEL ADDITIVES MAY BE REQUIRED TO PREVENT THIS CONDITION. PRODUCTS SUCH AS 'STANADYNE PERFORMANCE FORMULA' ARE THE MOST ACCEPTABLE ADDITIVES. JOHN DEERE ALSO MARKETS AN ACCEPTABLE COLD WEATHER ADDITIVE. 'STANADYNE JR.' IS 'NOT' SUITABLE IN THIS APPLICATION. OVER 100 PRODUCTS ARE AVAILABLE ON THE MARKET WITH VARYING QUALITY AND FEATURES. DO NOT USE ANY ALCOHOL BASED ADDITIVE IN FORD DIESEL ENGINES. STANADYNE CAN BE CONTACTED DIRECTLY 8AM-4PM AT (800)842-2496

 

I have been using "Stanadyne Performance Formula" for quite sometime now and also can tell it quiets the diesel down not to mention better performance. Its the real deal. I use it on every other fill up in the summer. But when I am pulling my camper trailer I use it at every fill up and also every fill up during the colder months. I pick mine up at a diesel engine repair shop called "Great Plains Diesel". I do have a little tip for all of you. When you go to buy the stanadyne product, but one16oz bottle and one 1/2 gallon bottle. The 16oz bottle has a measure on the side of the bottle which you can refill from the 1/2 gallon bottle. You can then keep the 16oz bottle in your truck. Generally speaking I can get 2 fill up per 16oz bottle.

 

Would adding an additive to the fuel every or every other fill-up year after year, constitute excessive additive use? Even though these products work well in the short term, are they going to damage the engine or some of it' parts over time? If they work so well (as advertised) , why would Ford not recommend them?

Sorry for so many questions, but I am new to diesels and additives of any kind. Thanks for your input!

Mike

 

Ford won't recommend them because Ford has not done the durability testing to convince itself that the additives are OK. Once they say it is OK, they take on the responsibility for damage to the engine, so they are not going to say anything without testing. Like Ford says in the OASIS message, then are 100s on the market. To test each one will cost too much, and why would Ford do that? They don't sell the additives, so they make no $$$$. Why spend $$$ testing if you get $zilch$ out of it?

Ford does not know for a fact that they are bad, they just don't know if they are good. Each additive manufacturer does its own testing to a greater or lesser degree. That is why it is probably best to go with a reputable known brand and one that people have been using with success. Stanadyne and Power Service are used by many people with no problems. Anything recommended by Navistar is probably also OK. The John Deere stuff seems to be pretty good too (probably made by Stanadyne). Lucas is another name brand, but harder to find. There is another additive available from a smaller company that has been in business 50-60 years (granddad, dad, son), but I forget the name.

Many people use Power Service because it is readily available at Walmart and Tractor Supply. I have used it occassionally with no problems. I don't need the anti-gel or cetane improver, so I decided to go with Stanadyne lubricity formula. $5 pint. Does 120 gallons (3 tanks for me). Power Service Diesel Kleen looks like a good choice too. No anti-gel, but has the detergents and lubricity additives plus a cetane improver. I found it at Tractor Supply. $5 a quart. Does 100 gallons (2 tanks for me, so a little bit pricier).

 

jschira,

Thanks for your time on that post. I really appreciate your input. That makes sense about Ford's point of view. I was thinking about using the Power Service product because of its availability (WalMart, local auto stores). The extra lubrication and cetane hopefully will improve my engines performance.

I'm getting about 15 mpg combined (and I keep my foot out of it)and want to start making changes one by one. These types of formulas are the easiest/quickest changes to make. I will try the PS on the next fill-up.

Air intake mod will be next, followed by exhaust adjustments. Thanks again!

Mike

 

First Pickup, the Ford statement of not using a fuel additive is interesting. One thing to keep in mind, Ford is the business of selling vehicles, parts,etc. In My opinion, the best, and least expensive fuel additive is Lucas injector cleaner. It can be purchased in one gallon containers, [ the best bang for the buck] or smaller. It is available at most truck stops, and NAPA. The Stanadyne is an excellent product[the same as John Deere brand], just more expensive. I have used Lucas products for many years, in two PSD's, Cat, and Cummins engines with good results. One of the benefits is better fuel economy. Todays fuel does not have the lubricity needed for proper injector protection. It seems most of Us are power hungry, and want Our PSD's to deliver all the HP, and torque possible, and also to deliver good fuel economy. The Lucas, and Stanadyne products offer protection, and performance for the PSD.