Fuel additive
Hotshot
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 15,014
Likes: 35
From: Semper Fi tell I die!
i notice the smoother diesel motor with ps too.
Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 10,590
Likes: 382
From: Texas
I think this is another placebo effect...JMO. Let's talk mechanics. How would an additive make an engine run smoother? That would kind of be saying the diesel fuel isn't good enough or that it doesn't meet the requirements to make the engine run as it should. Just wondering....
Logistics Pro
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 4,818
Likes: 1
From: Avilla, IN
I quit using additive in my fuel, but I use the premium grade fuel from my supplier. In the winter months I use Howes additive for anti gel in straight #2 fuel, and never had a problem, even when it hit -35 last winter. I think most refineries have added a lubricity package to their fuel to replace the sulfur. At least that is what I was told by the fuel guy at my station. I have added 1/2 quart of 2 stroke oil to each tank when filling, and you could hear the engine run a little smoother, and it seamed to help the mileage a little. Just my .02 ( or maybe a little more)
I use Howe's in the winter too. We saw -45°F a few times and I had no problems with starting or fuel gelling. I use no additives in other than Bio-Kleen (misspelled?) in the summer.
Put one more hash in the column for Power Service. That's what I run in mine. A bit of anecdotal evidence for you all, as well. When we went to GA to pick up my truck and drive it home, I didn't put PS in the first fill-up we ran through it. 100% highway driving netted me 17.5 MPG. Next fill-up I dumped in the PS I brought with me and forgot to add and the result... 18.9 MPG. Again 100% highway driving. Now maybe I pushed the first tank a lot harder, but I don't recall that being a factor. Most of the way home I ran the cruise too. Like I said, it is anecdotal evidence since I wasn't really looking to make it a scientific experiment, but I figured I'd throw it out there.
I'd love to make 2 identical, unloaded trips and test the theory now.
I'd love to make 2 identical, unloaded trips and test the theory now.
There are so many factors that could have contributed to that. The PS might have helped some, but you also have wind, temperature, and elevation change that goes into that. When I make a round trip to West Lafayette, I always get 1-2 mpg less on the way back. Other people I know have said the same thing.
A lube could reduce knocking sounds from within the injectors, I suppose. But more than likely it is a placebo effect.
Hotshot
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 15,014
Likes: 35
From: Semper Fi tell I die!
no its not placebo. i know what i feel hear and see, you can even smell it in the exhaust. the centene boost and lube has something to do with it im sure.
Junior User
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 62
Likes: 0
This is not exactly what you were asking about, but thought that I would mention it anyway.
One of my good friends works for an oil company. Since I am new to the 7.3 world, I asked him if I needed to add an anti-gel additive to my tanks, to keep the diesel fuel from gelling when it gets cold outside. His response, was that the well known major oil companies already add the anti-gel additives, starting in the fall of each year. There is no need to add the anti-gel additives on your own, unless you purchase fuel from a no-name gas station.
I do not know this to be true, first hand, but it makes sense, as I am very aware that there are winter formulations of gasoline.
As for fuel additives, 50 years ago, I used to use Marvel Mystery Oil. No objective evidence that it actually did anything, but, at least it sounded cool that we used it in the old hotrods.
One of my good friends works for an oil company. Since I am new to the 7.3 world, I asked him if I needed to add an anti-gel additive to my tanks, to keep the diesel fuel from gelling when it gets cold outside. His response, was that the well known major oil companies already add the anti-gel additives, starting in the fall of each year. There is no need to add the anti-gel additives on your own, unless you purchase fuel from a no-name gas station.
I do not know this to be true, first hand, but it makes sense, as I am very aware that there are winter formulations of gasoline.
As for fuel additives, 50 years ago, I used to use Marvel Mystery Oil. No objective evidence that it actually did anything, but, at least it sounded cool that we used it in the old hotrods.
Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,645
Likes: 4
I think I'll experiment with a tank or two of 2stroke and maybe something else. I've got a 4.5hr round trip coming up to go to a dyno day up in Bangor, so they'll be some highway driving.
Phil, do you store equiptment with diesel in them over the winter? If so do you treat it any special way? Thanks.
Phil, do you store equiptment with diesel in them over the winter? If so do you treat it any special way? Thanks.
Tuned
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 318
Likes: 7
Yes the additive increases the cetane level of the fuel which intern will alter the timing of the engine. Fuel will ignite slightly faster causing a slight advance in timing. I don't think the IDM can account for different cetane levels of fuel.
I was able to play with this when I had my 6.9 and running W85 and other waste oil fuels. You can tell when the cetane levels were different by the way the motor sounded and ran.
Its like putting octane booster in your gasser
I was able to play with this when I had my 6.9 and running W85 and other waste oil fuels. You can tell when the cetane levels were different by the way the motor sounded and ran.
Its like putting octane booster in your gasser
Tuned
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 318
Likes: 7
I will have to note that there are also other factors when running homemade blended fuels such as BTU's and other variances. Waste oil also has a higher BTU content which will burn hotter in the engine.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 5,111
Likes: 1,549
From: western SD
The last stuff I used was the cheapest stuff at Wally's World. I picked up a gallon of the stuff that said it was for injection systems.
Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 10,590
Likes: 382
From: Texas
I think I'll experiment with a tank or two of 2stroke and maybe something else. I've got a 4.5hr round trip coming up to go to a dyno day up in Bangor, so they'll be some highway driving.
Phil, do you store equiptment with diesel in them over the winter? If so do you treat it any special way? Thanks.
Phil, do you store equiptment with diesel in them over the winter? If so do you treat it any special way? Thanks.
Yes, it is a placebo effect. No one can tell me that they hear the difference in the sound of their injector pulse width or sound of the open and closing cycle or they have some hearing and sixth sense I wish I had. But again, if the extra $$ spent pouring Power Service in your tank makes you feel better, smooths out, and quiets down that 7.3....more power to you. I guess my question to myself is this. If something in a bottle that is a "lube agent" quiets down and smooths out my motor/injectors that much, then what's wrong with my injectors? Why does my truck run so much better? Something else must be amiss.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 20,419
Likes: 197
From: AZ
If you relay on the oil companies to add anti gell then you'll find yourself up to your a** in snow at -40. There isn't any lube in today's cheap diesel.
I have about eight 20 oz pop bottles rolling around in the back of my pickup. I use walmart cheap 2 cycle 3/4 full, then add PS to top it off. One bottle per tank, does it for me.
I have about eight 20 oz pop bottles rolling around in the back of my pickup. I use walmart cheap 2 cycle 3/4 full, then add PS to top it off. One bottle per tank, does it for me.
Hotshot
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 14,377
Likes: 609
From: evansville in
I'm just a lazy pitiful excuse.I don't add anything at all.do use PS on my SD but never thought it changed anything.maybe I'm cruising for destruction?? We shall see...331000 mi and counting
Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 10,590
Likes: 382
From: Texas
I rest my case
Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 10,590
Likes: 382
From: Texas
If you relay on the oil companies to add anti gell then you'll find yourself up to your a** in snow at -40. There isn't any lube in today's cheap diesel. I have about eight 20 oz pop bottles rolling around in the back of my pickup. I use walmart cheap 2 cycle 3/4 full, then add PS to top it off. One bottle per tank, does it for me.
Lead Driver
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 5,111
Likes: 1,549
From: western SD
I agree with Glen on this! If it falls to below zero unexpectidly you see all kinds of diesels that won't run because the fuel is gelled. Every place that sells Diesel 911 is sold out after one of these occurances. We had one of those last fall.