Fuel Additive Question
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4wd Low
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Missouri
Fuel Additive Question
I’m sure this has been discussed before. What is the best fuel additive for my 7.3 IDI NA. I’m just about to purchase this truck and it has previously had old fuel removed, new injectors due to sitting to long. The fuel filters were changed twice after the work. What is the best in your experience to clean the system in this old girl? Thank you!!!
i ain't rite
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 65,422
Likes: 5,507
From: Marlboro Mental Hospital.
i use nothing but out of the pump diesel fuel. 496,000 miles so far without any issues at all.
i will add a little powerservice in the winter months if it is going to be real cold as an anti gel though
i will add a little powerservice in the winter months if it is going to be real cold as an anti gel though
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 3,940
Likes: 507
From: Edmond, OK
I've added the Howe's & Lucas diesel treatments when filling up in the past. Just recently I bought a Marvel Mystery Oil fuel additive because it was on sale. I don't notice any difference when driving. I think it's mostly owner's choice. In OK it doesn't get cold enough for my truck to have trouble starting since my GPs work fine.
In the past I've put ATF in a new fuel filter and the truck seems to chatter less for a day or so.
In the past I've put ATF in a new fuel filter and the truck seems to chatter less for a day or so.
Tuned
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 480
Likes: 141
From: NJ
To answer your question, I don't know of any additives that will do any great harm.
That said, diesel fuel isn't hygroscopic like gasoline is, and whether it's 1, 10, or 50 years old won't make any difference, even if by chance it does have some bio-fuel blended in. So don't lose any sleep over it.
That said, diesel fuel isn't hygroscopic like gasoline is, and whether it's 1, 10, or 50 years old won't make any difference, even if by chance it does have some bio-fuel blended in. So don't lose any sleep over it.
Mountain Pass
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 142
Likes: 9
I switch between quite a few different fuel cleaners in my truck every few tanks. There's no real method to my madness. A really good mechanic I know recommended that I switch between the Diesel Kleen Cetane Boost (3025) and the Redline 85 Plus Diesel Fuel Catalyst (70802). He said that they both do a great job of cleaning your fuel lines and motor. But one is better for one part of the motor and the other is better for another part. Both claim to increase fuel economy but I can't say I've been paying attention to see if that was true. I will also occasionally throw some Seafoam (SF16) in there if I have it lying around the house. One guy I know, who has a collection of IDIs, uses the Lucas Fuel Injector Cleaner (10020) for all of his trucks. He says that stuff works miracles.
https://powerservice.com/psp_product...-cetane-boost/
https://www.redlineoil.com/85-plus
https://seafoamworks.com/product/sea...fuel-additive/
https://lucasoil.com/products/fuel-t...fuel-treatment
https://powerservice.com/psp_product...-cetane-boost/
https://www.redlineoil.com/85-plus
https://seafoamworks.com/product/sea...fuel-additive/
https://lucasoil.com/products/fuel-t...fuel-treatment
i ain't rite
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 65,422
Likes: 5,507
From: Marlboro Mental Hospital.
once every 6 months or so i will fill the fuel filter up with ATF. fire the engine and let it idle for 30-45 seconds, then shut off and let sit for 24 hours or more. then fire it up and run it like i stole it. the atf breaks down all the crud, and the hard run blows it all out the exhaust.
Mountain Pass
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 142
Likes: 9
Putting in a lot of highway miles today and I got about 18-20 MPG running B20 with Marvel’s Mystery Oil in the fuel. So I can say that one definitely does what it says and increases fuel economy.
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 3,921
Likes: 1,191
From: Mojave, Ca
Based on your claim, I dumped 8 oz of MMO into my fuel tanks yesterday to see if I get better mileage. Currently, I'm getting about 14.5 MPG diving back and forth to work. I'm skeptical it'll improve but I'm willing to throw $10 to see if it works.
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 144
Likes: 16
From: Fratt, TX
let us know your results.... i had a small increase when i ran some ST 2 stroke oil in mine( im getting in the 10's currently)
i ain't rite
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 65,422
Likes: 5,507
From: Marlboro Mental Hospital.
the thing with this is you can not go by one time use. you have to do the same exact run a few times to know if it works or not.
the same 50 mile run using the same road, same speed, same load and passengers in truck, with only difference being fuel additive.
the same 50 mile run using the same road, same speed, same load and passengers in truck, with only difference being fuel additive.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 3,921
Likes: 1,191
From: Mojave, Ca
I got 32 oz, so I can test it for 4 fuel fill ups.
Mountain Pass
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 142
Likes: 9
I calculated my MPG by driving until the front tank was nearly empty (just about 10 gallons) then checking to see how many miles I had gone. After running the Marvel's it was 207 miles. After running Redline it was 184. Divide the miles by 10 and you get a rough estimate of MPG. It's not a perfect science, there are certainly a few variables, but it's close enough for jazz.
i ain't rite
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 65,422
Likes: 5,507
From: Marlboro Mental Hospital.
that does not mean anything though.
was traffic the same? head wind or tail wind? 60 mph or 90 mph? you have to do EVERYTHING the same for it to be actual science. otherwise it is a guesstimate.
was traffic the same? head wind or tail wind? 60 mph or 90 mph? you have to do EVERYTHING the same for it to be actual science. otherwise it is a guesstimate.
Mountain Pass
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 142
Likes: 9
Seeing as though the bottle says, "Independent lab results show MMO helps: Increase engine power & compression up to 25%", as well as, "Use in Fuel for top cylinder lubrication. Improves fuel economy.", it's probably safe to say someone else has already done the perfect scientific tests. Call up Marvel and ask for the research papers if you want more information. A team of researchers will probably have more satisfactory info than a guy who owns a truck and was simply relaying his experiences with a product.
Last edited by 1986ed; Aug 15, 2022 at 02:39 PM. Reason: Thought of something else I wanted to add but did not want to clutter the thread with extra messages.