Greetings all. Diesel newbie here...

My question: Are fuel additives necessary for a diesel engine? I recall back in the day (circa 1990's) that using an additive was imperative to lengthen the life of a diesel engine. Now fast forward to 2019 (year of my F450)...I haven't really found any threads (or videos) on people using an additive to their newer trucks.

If this is still recommended, 1) How often should one add these to their fuel tank? and 2) What is your favorite product? If not, then your reply is still appreciated.

Now I get that everyone has their own opinion on this, however, I would still like to get yall's input on this. Good, bad, or indifferent. I'd like to get as many miles out of the truck as possible, and I am aware that fuel treatments are but one of many ways to do this.

Thanks in advance

 

The additive guys will be along shortly.

I remember the great emulsifier/demulsifier battle. Lives were lost. Women were widowed. Crops wilted. A memorial has yet to be built.

 

We all have our favorites but I use this at every fill.

https://opti-lube.com/diesel-fuel-ad...additives-red/

 

I’m a newbie and trying to figure this out too! I was reading in another thread on these forums about a few different types of fuel additives. It seems like there are some people that like them, and some people that don’t. And of course, some people like a certain brand, while others like a different brand... From what I can tell so far i feel like using additives seems like a good idea, but as far as which brand to use I’m still not sure yet. I guess I’ll keep reading… But it does seem like the most important thing is to fuel from a busy station that moves a lot of fuel, and to empty your WIF monthly. Also, keep a look out for stations with lower amounts of biodiesel. These trucks can use fuel with up to 20% (B20) but something like B5 is even better.

My question is, in stations with separate truck filling stations, does the diesel that they pump and the diesel at the regular pumps come from the same tank… I’d hate to think I am getting good fuel because of how many trucks are running through the fuel, but then be filling up from a separate tank that rarely gets used…

 

When I had my 2008 with the 6.4L, I used the OptiLube. When I sold it last August it had over 217K miles and it still ran like a Swiss watch.

 

Based upon what? You do realize that you are just getting opinions. Would you be shocked to hear that there are people who don't use any additive at all and are doing just fine? The only additive of value is an anti gel additive if you are going to be in cold weather and the fuel you're using isn't treated with an anti gel agent. So, use that when you're below freezing as a precautionary.

Why is that? If you look around threads on bad fuel, there aren't that many and you'll be surprised to see there are folks who got bad fuel from truck stop stations. It happens everywhere. I know guys who think that that the neighborhood stations that don't move as much fuel that the fuel goes bad and is contaminated. I wonder how those guys who have bulk fuel tanks on their farms get around this? And the small neighborhood station knows how much fuel they sell. It's inventory and they can't have inventory just sitting around for long periods of time. Also, you don't drain the water filter monthly. The owner's manual says to drain it when you get a warning. Most here who have done this as preventive maintenance will tell you they've never got a drop of water out of the filter. I did it once and that too was my result. I haven't done it in nearly two years. I buy my diesel from a local Walmart because it's the station closest to me. I have no idea how much fuel they sell. Doesn't matter.

Why? I mean, "why" besides opinions? It wasn't that long ago that the opinion here was bio was good since it has the best lubrication properties. So, what changed?

Same tank.

Additives for gas or diesel is just evidence of how effective marketing is. If someone like me says they don't use additive, the additive guys are always like: "Well, it's your truck so you do whatever you want with it. It won't be me on the side of the road. I'll be the one motoring on by."

If there was no Internet, would you be an additive guy? They've existed long before the Internet. The best thing for sure you can say about additives is they don't do any harm.

So, now, as I make my way down the road, it looks increasingly like an apocalypse scene from the Walking Dead with craped out diesel trucks clogging up the roads because their owners didn't use additives. They were warned.

 

I'm new to diesel additives and deciding on one that I want to use. It seems that the main reasons that people use them are lubricity, cetane boost, water removal and anti-gel for cold weather climates. My biggest concern out of all is lubricity. I don't live in a cold climate, not sure how important cetane boost is, and have never seen any water in the samples I've drained. Also, I hear that Ca. has decent diesel fuel quality. For that reason I'm considering Opti-Lube Summer+. Looks to be a good balance of bang for buck....my math says 1 gal. will treat just over 75 tanks, and cost $.80 per tank(34g).

 

This is always a great debatable subject. I have a 2012 F350 work truck with 260,000 miles, It only sees additives in the winter in the form of a winterize additive to keep the fuel from gelling. It has very poor filter maint. I fill up when I need to, such as small stores in the middle of no where, I hammer the krap out of it all day long. So that's the reasoning for no additives.
But as you will read, and you can do your own research as I have, the diesel fuel used here in the states doesn't have the lubricating properties that the fuel pumps are supposed to have, these were developed in Europe and there is higher lubricating properties over there.

Be your own advocate, do some online searches and read until your heart is content. I spent many nights reading and doing my own research. So on my own 2019 6.7, I do use and additive. Do I need it, some will say yes, but as my work truck proves, maybe not. Like i said, huge debate. I use it for my own piece of mind. And bottom line is, that's really the reason for me. I use hot shots secret everyday treatment.

I did my research on that too, and that's what I settled on. Most people like their additive for their own reasons. I really don't think there is a right or wrong answer. Your going to have to do what makes you comfortable.
But please, do your own research and be your own best advocate.

 

I'm a diesel newbie too. Just hit 500 miles on my powerstroke today. I've filled up once and used the motorcraft cetane boost that I bought at my local dealer. I thought at first it made the motor quieter but now I'm not sure. Doesn't bother me as I love the sound of this engine. After running this tank the past couple days I don't think there is any discernable difference. Whether it helps the engine behind the scenes, who knows, but it is good peace of mind.

 

Could not resist...

 

See, some like them, and some don’t…

 

If you lose an injection pump out of warranty you might wish you'd used an additive for lubrication. Other than that scenario, I don't see them as necessary. I like the stuff that shortens your regens. Can't think of the name right now catalyst something or other.

EDIT:These links were great to get up to speed on what F.B.C. is. There are many brands that make this stuff, so don't get caught up on one specific brand while you're searching the net.



What is a DPF?

FBC Chemistry

History of DPF Additives

OEM Regeneration Strategies

This is the stuff I use, works great for me. In my 3.0l diesel Wrangler it cut the regen time by about half. In the 6.7l Ford closer to 2/3rds....5/8ths at best. I also use hotshotsecret Additives. Full disclosure, I'd be hard pressed to tell you that the hotshotsecret stuff does anything at all. I'm sure it does, but I haven't been able to quantify it like the FBC.

 

I use this as well - https://opti-lube.com/diesel-fuel-ad...additives-red/

 

I learned someplace to wait 3,000(?) miles before using additive, I think it was on Power Stroke Tech Talk who is a ford tech. I use ford PM23 and PM22 (summer). No clue if it makes a difference.

 

The only difference I am seeing is in my wallet. Opti-lube is not cheap. 😂