321,000 miles on my 200 F 350 7.3l. I was talking to a mechanic recently and I told him I had been faithfully using Lucas fuel additive to every tank of fuel for 10 years. He told me that I could just throw some 2 cycle oil in the fuel instead and since it would be cheaper I’m considering trying it. Anyone with experience/advice/ opinions?

 

I used to add 2 stroke to the tank sometimes in my old 6.9 truck just because I could. Been years but It seemed to quiet it down a tad and run smoother. I cannot recall how much per tank i added unfortunately but It was probably a quart to a full tank.

 

Here's my experience. Back when Obaaaama was in office and diesel fuel in California was $4.50+ per gallon, I asked a buddy - a retired auto shop teacher and funny car racer (pretty knowledgeable) if there was anything I could put in my 1999 F250 7.3L to increase the fuel milage (I was getting ~13mpg-14mpg - as every gallon put into the truck was recorded). He checked around and the recommendation was put in Walmart's = *Super Tech Universal 2 cyl Engine Oil,* 8oz bottle per tank (39gal fuel tank). I noticed ~2-4 mpg INCREASE. Since I was traveling all over the Western US for my job, that helped a lot since fuel in CA was $4.50+ per gal.

So I kept recording fuel efficiency, etc. and went on about my business, then about a *year later* (truck had about 90k to 110k miles if I remember correctly), the high pressure oil SEAL going into the injector pump I believe = FAILED. Oil was everywhere, on the trip when it when occurred, I was on a ~1,100 mile trip, I only lost ~2qt-3qt of oil.......BUT it was a MESS = on the engine, all the under carriage..... $900 later got it repaired and went back on the road. About 3-5months later is happened again..................I used a diesel mechanic (and old farm kid) and told him, use quality parts - which he always had previously......But when I had to pay another ~$900 for the repair............the only commonality was that *2cy oil* I was adding to the fuel. So I STOPPED using the 2cy oil as an additive and NEVER had another problem with the high pressure oil line seal again.

I tried other additives, also for cold weather as I was traveling to WY, MT, CO. But then I remembered what an old trucker and a mechanic I used to work with years ago told me: [NOTE: This is ONLY for the Mechanical Injectors] and for (7.3L) that when changing Fuel Filters in diesels, they would add Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) and let it be absorbed by the fuel filter, as it would help clean the injectors I guess lots of smoke when they first started the engine. The trucker used **ATF for a Diesel Fuel Additive** [because Automatic Transmissions don't freeze when it's cold....] while traveling in cold weather to **prevent his diesel FUEL from gelling.**

I have moved to northern Wyoming about 4 years ago and have continued to add ATF to my tank, year around for the increase mileage (~2-4mpg increase = ~20mpg-22mpg with my current 1999 F350) AND I do NOT have an issue with Fuel gelling OR seals FAILING on the high pressure oil line of the injector pump......

Until we start pumping more oil in this country, hopefully next year (Go Trump!), I am using the cheapest ATF I can find. Again at Walmart *Valvoline Dex/Merc Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) 1 Gallon* which costs ~$20+. ***I understand you should probably NEVER add this to the newer engines with "computerized injectors"***

That's my story and I am sticking to it, so in my 39 gallon fuel tank during summer I add ~2qts/tank of fuel (increased mileage). BUT when it's getting, 0 degrees -to- Negative 25 degrees, I will put 3qt -to- 4qt of ATF in my tank.

I get it's kinda expensive, but............I do get an increase in Fuel Economy AND I have not had a problem with my Injectors either on any of my engines, nor Fuel gelling.

This is my **THIRD - 7.3L** diesel engine, I always add it to the fuel w/o issues in a total of ~400+k miles, on all engines.

Ves

 

For many years due to the advice of diesel mechanic, I was adding the Wal-Mart Tcw-3 about 10 oz. to 31 gallons.

Then my know it all mechanic told me to STOP using it.

He was selling his own in stock additive.HYDROTEX Essentialube

Lately I have been adding a fuel stabilizer

 

I remember a long time ago there was testing done on fuel additives and the effect on lubricity. I think 2 stroke oil was actually one of the higher increases in lubricity.

 

Personally I save the ATF for automatic transmissions, and the 2 stroke oil for 2 stroke engines. If you ever have to clean the power valves in a snowmobile engine, I doubt you would want to add it to your diesel. I use Hot Shots to cure stiction in my 6.0, and a good synthetic oil.

 

There was this;
https://www.powerstroke.org/threads/...esults.166987/

and this:

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...l#post21450677

 

I have a 1970s German iron horse, one-axle single cylinder diesel-engined farm implement that states 10% (iirc) oil in the fuel. That’s the only diesel engine I add oil to.