So I have heard mixed thoughts on additives for these engines. I bought the truck last weekend and Have added the silver bottle of diesel kleen at recommended level when I fueled up. Is there a better option that isn't ATF? I don't want red fuel in my tank. Don't need that ticket. Haha. I have heard that some of these additives have the same ingredients as paint thinners. Don't know if that's true but I also know just running ultra low sulfur diesel isn't great for the o rings in these trucks. So do I just run the diesel kleen? Or is sea foam or Lucas or other brand better?

 

I run Stanadyne in my fuel when filling up.


There are a lot of additives out there available to us. Stiction is not a problem for our injectors, so don't focus on that.

Just read up on the major brands like Lucas, Archoil and Stanadyne and make an informed decision.

 

I use Hot Shot Secrets products. On road mpg with EDT (I think) about 16-17 non towing. Several other products for engine and trans.
Seems to work for me, but what I know?
Would be interested in correct stats on this product for cetayne, lubricity, and such.
Anybody out there with that info?

 

I use a mixture of diesel Kleen and the super tech tcw3 ashless outboard oil. Ridiculously quite and smooth idle now. I average between 14.5-15.5 mpg's. Those are real hand calculated numbers too. I'm sure I could get the numbers better, but driving like a bat outta hell is way more funner lol. I really only use the additives to help lube the seals and o-rings throughout the fuel system. I could care less about mpg's. Its a big truck not a Honda lol.

 

The reason you hear mixed thought on additives is because not all diesels are the same.

The 7.3L (and 6.0L) are unique in that they do not have a high pressure fuel pump like most other diesels out there. So for most diesels, lubricity is a huge factor. Not so much with the 7.3L. Mainly it's the fuel pump that benefits the most from lubricity, and the pumps on these trucks are pretty durable even in less than ideal conditions. The injectors themselves can take a lot of abuse, and many have survived when owners have accidentally run gasoline in the tank. In short, you can throw quite a bit at these motors and they'll keep running.

Cetane boost is probably the best benefit you'll ever see running additives on these trucks. However, most will only notice a difference if the area they live in is notorious for having lower cetane.

As far as seals and whatnot... the only real prone area to fuel seal failure due to ULSD is the fuel bowl drain valve o-rings. Even additives couldn't stop a majority of those from eventually leaking. I suspect that at this point an overwhelming majority of those have been replaced.

So what's left? Some additives have demulsifiers, emulsifiers, and/or "cleaning" agents. Some might disagree with me on this, but I say those agents are all absolutely useless. On the 7.3L you won't see any verifiable benefit. They are just advertising ploys and marketing games. In the case of newer diesels (especially common rail), some of those agents are actually harmful and over time can contribute to fuel system failures.

Anyway, that's my take on it.

 

Good reading here...

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...ses-mouth.html

 

Finally some sensibility. I just went back to using straight diesel after being an Opti-Lube junkie. I saw and felt zero benefit.

 

Funny you should mention the fuel bowl drain valve o rings. I'm replacing today with a flourosilicone seal.