Fuel additives
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Freshman User
Joined: Aug 2003
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From: Arizona
Fuel additives
A few weeks ago I was in an extremly cold place, 5 deg and a pretty stiff wind. (First time in this low of a temp with my PSD) My truck was parked outside in this miserable weather over night with the engine heater plugged in. When I started it the next morning it turned over normaly and fired right up but talk about injectors clattering and puffing smoke, for a second I thought something was terribly wrong. After a few minutes it sounded normal and ran normal. So I thought "Geeze, maybe I should put some fuel conditioner in it when I'm going to be places like this."
As luck would have it last week the same condition existed but I had added fuel conditioner. This time it started right up and sounded sweet from the get-go. From now on I will add a bottle of fuel conditioner everytime I fuel up in the winter, what the heck, everytime I fuel up year round. Couldn't hurt could it???
As luck would have it last week the same condition existed but I had added fuel conditioner. This time it started right up and sounded sweet from the get-go. From now on I will add a bottle of fuel conditioner everytime I fuel up in the winter, what the heck, everytime I fuel up year round. Couldn't hurt could it???
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From: NW
bigolbob,
You nailed it. DFA does miracles, don't it? What brand did you go with, and did you double the strength, or use it at the recommended "dosage"?
I think I will try and use it year round for mine, by rotating tank fill ups, even in summer.
You nailed it. DFA does miracles, don't it? What brand did you go with, and did you double the strength, or use it at the recommended "dosage"?
I think I will try and use it year round for mine, by rotating tank fill ups, even in summer.
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From: West Texas
I use fuel additive all year round...course in west texas (much like in AZ) I'm sure you don't ahve to worry about it getting too cold. I use the desiel service + centane boost (grey bottle) at Wal-mart. I use 1/2 the 32 oz. each fill up....so it ends up costing about $1.75 tank. They also have a white bottle that has a anti-gelling formula in it. Some guys switch over to it during the winter. I can't see why it would do any damage to use it year round...keeps the injectors clean and lubed...sounds like it could do nothing but help.
Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Mesa AZ
I'm with "fisher_of_man"...I found a place in Tucson that sells Diesel Service Diesel Kleen (grey and white) bottles. I use the grey because I don't think I need the anti-gelling formula. There has been a NOTICABLE difference! Especially in the mornings. I had been using the Rotella DFA found at my local Wal-Mart, but it didn't seem nearly as effective.
However, be warned. The Diesel Kleen stuff smells something awful! Be sure you don't spill it inside your cab. I won't even carry the bottle inside my truck. I tie it to one of the tie downs when I go for fuel and then leave the half used bottle back in my garage when I'm done.
However, be warned. The Diesel Kleen stuff smells something awful! Be sure you don't spill it inside your cab. I won't even carry the bottle inside my truck. I tie it to one of the tie downs when I go for fuel and then leave the half used bottle back in my garage when I'm done.
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From: Arizona
The brand I used is "Gumout" for large vehicles, treats 30 gal for about $1.85 at Wally World. Cheap for the benefits it gives. There was only one type for diesels so that's why I used it. May start looking around for other brands and try them...........
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From: West Texas
Originally posted by gchavez
However, be warned. The Diesel Kleen stuff smells something awful! Be sure you don't spill it inside your cab.
However, be warned. The Diesel Kleen stuff smells something awful! Be sure you don't spill it inside your cab.
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Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Northern Virginia
How cold should it be before considering to use fuel additives? I posted something awhile back about oil additives and it seems like we all agreed it's not the best thing to do.
But we can't have our fuel gelling up nw can we!?!?!?!
But we can't have our fuel gelling up nw can we!?!?!?!
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From: West Texas
Originally posted by Diesel Daddy
How cold should it be before considering to use fuel additives? I posted something awhile back about oil additives and it seems like we all agreed it's not the best thing to do.
But we can't have our fuel gelling up nw can we!?!?!?!
How cold should it be before considering to use fuel additives? I posted something awhile back about oil additives and it seems like we all agreed it's not the best thing to do.
But we can't have our fuel gelling up nw can we!?!?!?!
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Northern Virginia
yeah, I was refering to fuel additives, since we agreed that the oil additives were not necessary.
This is a tricky question: what brands do ya'll use?
I usually put Amoco Premium Diesel in my truck for the extra Cetane rating (47). So, I don't know if the cetane boost would really help unless I use a lower cetane diesel fuel.
This is a tricky question: what brands do ya'll use?
I usually put Amoco Premium Diesel in my truck for the extra Cetane rating (47). So, I don't know if the cetane boost would really help unless I use a lower cetane diesel fuel.
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Joined: Dec 2003
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From: colorado
I use a Lubro Moly product call "Diesel Hi Test" Plug that in on a search engine and you can read about it. I sell this product to alot of my Independant Diesel Repair Shops. They make it part of there overall service to their customers. I use one can every tank full in my truck. Cost is about 3 bucks per tank. It actually quiets my motor up a little. I have used it in all the powerstrokes I have owned. They also make a Deisel Purge for heavy duty cleaning.
2002 Powerstroke F350
2002 Powerstroke F350
Last edited by scotth; Dec 9, 2003 at 02:34 PM.
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From: West Texas
Originally posted by Diesel Daddy
yeah, I was refering to fuel additives, since we agreed that the oil additives were not necessary.
This is a tricky question: what brands do ya'll use?
I usually put Amoco Premium Diesel in my truck for the extra Cetane rating (47). So, I don't know if the cetane boost would really help unless I use a lower cetane diesel fuel.
yeah, I was refering to fuel additives, since we agreed that the oil additives were not necessary.
This is a tricky question: what brands do ya'll use?
I usually put Amoco Premium Diesel in my truck for the extra Cetane rating (47). So, I don't know if the cetane boost would really help unless I use a lower cetane diesel fuel.
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From: Northern Virginia
Hey Fisher_of_Man, you're almost at your 1000th post! Keep up the good work!! I stopped at the Texaco here in town and not only did they want $1.79/gal it was only 40 cetane. Less than 1 mile away is Amoco w/47 cetane @ $1.49 
!!
I'll look for the stuff @ Walmart...
!!I'll look for the stuff @ Walmart...
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From: West Texas
ahh...the coveted 1000th post....and to think I thought I would never get here...I'd like to think the academy, my .... wow, $1.19 is steep... The one I always stop at...and have to today after work is at $1.49. It's one of the cheaper places for diesel in town, but they go thru it too.
I tried Stanadyne too, I couldn't tell it was that great...and it is only available from a local distributor that is on the other side of town and only open 9-5 mon-fri...I like to know I can go to the SuperCenter at anytime of day, on anyday and get what I want...and its doing what I need!
wow, $1.19 is steep... The one I always stop at...and have to today after work is at $1.49. It's one of the cheaper places for diesel in town, but they go thru it too. I tried Stanadyne too, I couldn't tell it was that great...and it is only available from a local distributor that is on the other side of town and only open 9-5 mon-fri...I like to know I can go to the SuperCenter at anytime of day, on anyday and get what I want...and its doing what I need!
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Joined: Nov 2002
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From: Mansfield, TX USA
Originally posted by fisher_of_man
I always fill up a my local Texaco/Shell Station.....I don't know what the centane rating in it is, but I can tell a noticable difference in throttle reponse, fuel mileage, and overall running of the engine with the Diesel Service + Centane Boost. For the cost of the bottle, why not run one thru and test it yourself. I think my walmart has it for $3.39/32 oz bottle. if nothing else, it will help keep your injectors clean and lubed.
I always fill up a my local Texaco/Shell Station.....I don't know what the centane rating in it is, but I can tell a noticable difference in throttle reponse, fuel mileage, and overall running of the engine with the Diesel Service + Centane Boost. For the cost of the bottle, why not run one thru and test it yourself. I think my walmart has it for $3.39/32 oz bottle. if nothing else, it will help keep your injectors clean and lubed.
I called Shell and talked to Ralph down in Houston (nice guy). I asked him what made it "Premium". He said higher cetane and more detergent. Cetane is at least 47, but they shoot for 48.
I asked him if the base fuel was superior or if they just put in more additives. He said that take whatever comes out of the pipeline and add more additives to it.
I can run some DieselKleen or Stanadyne through my tank for a lot less than $0.05/gal., so I will buy "regular" diesel and add my own additives.
But, if you run out of Stanadyne or DieselKleen, sounds like Shell Premium is a better choice than regular.
I'd still prefer to get some Amoco Premium. They guarantee 50 cetane and start with premium base stocks. So it's better fuel to start out. Something that you can't get out of a bottle.
Only in the Midwest.
Last edited by jschira; Dec 9, 2003 at 05:28 PM.
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From: West Texas
hey jschira....guess you guys in the "big" city get all the frills I haven't seen any shell (or for that matter any other brand) "premium diesel" around here... its only one kind. I'll have to keep my eyes open for that next time I'm up your way. Like you said though...for a $.05/gal increase in price...I'll take the Diesel Kleen anyday.
I haven't seen any shell (or for that matter any other brand) "premium diesel" around here... its only one kind. I'll have to keep my eyes open for that next time I'm up your way. Like you said though...for a $.05/gal increase in price...I'll take the Diesel Kleen anyday.