I know there are alot of Oil/Fuel additives out there but which ones do you guys recommend? I checked for Diesel Kleen and nobody around here carries it. I have found a couple of others: Power Service, Marvel's Mystery Oil, Lucas Oil Additive, and STP. Which of those would be best?

Also, there is alot of talk about which kind of antifreeze should be used in these diesels. Is Prestone a good choice for antifreeze?

 

Personally I like Lucas products. I use them in my trucks and the oil stabilizer really does put a stop to oil consumption. Also my uncle who was a trucker for many years used Lucas oil stabilizer religiously and had the same remarks as me. I would argue to say that everything they say on the bottle is true. I add 20% at every oil change. You could also do the test for yourself and try different products every time you change the oil and see which one you think is best because there is a good chance that everyone will recommend something different.

 

Power Service is a good product for a fuel treatment.
Oil additives I do not use.
The coolant needs to have SCA's in it to prevent cavitation. There are two different basic SCA formulas, they are not compatable with each other. So once you pick one you have to use the same type till you flush the system out.

I have always used the DCA 4 type.
I am currently running Fleetcharge from NAPA.
Purple antifreeze.

 

Fuel Additives:

Prior to switching to BioDiesel I was using:

Diesel Tone - not bad, kept the injectors and IP lubricated and clean
Howies - really liked it, again improves both injector and IP operations

The biodiesel (running a B40 blend now) seems to agree very well with both my trucks. It has excellent lubrication properties. Milage on the turbo motor is better than with No. 2 diesel. The engine runs quieter, more power, and smoke has been almost eliminated during heavy acceleration.

I will have to keep a close eye on ambient temperatures. They pilot tested the B40 in the Lower Mainland last year without any problems. This will be the first winter for B40 being sold to the general public. The concern is fuel separation should it get cold enough and the fuel start to gel and separate. I will probably keep No. 2 only in one tank just to be sure.

Oil Additive:

I run both trucks with 10W30 and add two liters of "Duralube" at each oil change. I also change my oil every 5,000 km (3,125miles). The turbo motor uses about a liter of oil between oil changes. The N/A motor uses about 2 liters between oil changes, go figure. Note, I don't do any heavy towing these days, hence I figure the 10W30 is enough, I would go to 10W40 if I were to work the truck harder.

Coolant Additives:

I run regular Prestone Antifreeze and have a balanced coolant treatment system on my turbo motor. The coolant filter contain coolant treatment chemicals and I usually change it every 18 to 24 month. Run SCA in the N/A engine.

Tranny and Transfercase:

Run "Duralube" Tranny formular in both my ZF5, E4OD, and BW1356 transfer cases.

Differentials:

Have never changed my axle oil yet. Am definetely due on the rear of the turbo truck. I will have to make sure to add the limited slip differential oil.

Seb....

 

I have looked for Duralube or any kind of treatment with the same stuff in it with no success in the large quantities. I hear that the Marvel's Mystery Oil is some decent stuff. It is safe for diesels as far as I know and you add it to both the oil and the fuel. About the Power Service, some good stuff as well but does it work to clean the injection system? Or is it just an anti-gel kinda stuff? My main cercern is getting the thing cleaned up, recently I have noticed that the engine seems to rattle a little louder. Before it gets any worse, I plan to change the oil, get some additives running through it and get it cleaned up.

 

I have not done any kind of fluid change in my ZF5, Hamberger. Seeing as I couldn't find any kind of Duralube larger than the spray can stuff, what alternative should I look for? My axle has not been tampered with since it left the factory as far as I know. Any recommendations for that? I do believe that the Prestone I added has SCA's in it. I do not know if what was in there origionally is the same kinda stuff...probably should flush it. As far as oil...I am running 10W-40 Rotella-T with soot control. Works well since it varries alot in temperature around here, plus I do hot rod that big diesel quite a bit

 

Dave,

You will need to change the fluid in the ZF5. I left mine a little to long the last time i changed it and it was brown and had a burnt smell to it.

The ZF5 uses the same fluid as the E4OD automatics, i.e. Dexron III - Mercon to which I add 250ml of the Duralube tranny formular. (or try Synthetic Mercon, it should work even better.

The ZF5 only has 3.2 liters of fluid and does not have a tranny cooler so that oil sees a lot of abuse over say 100k miles.

I have not yet done my rear differential so I don't have any particular recommendations for that.

Seb....

 

Dave, check out some of the larger "diesel" distrubitors around you area...you are bound to find, Howes, Diesel Kleen or something simular...up here we have no problem finding any fuel additives. As Hamberger stated, I as well change my oil every 5000 klms and use 2 bottles of Duralube with every oil change...did not have any luck with Lucas oil additive...I found that my 6.9 used more oil?? Go figure. I put a bottle of Ford coolant additive every year. lol

 

Well, yesterday I added 5oz of Power Service to each tank. I have yet to notice a difference but I'm sure with time it will clean up. I have not done any sort of oil additives. My truck has a brushing noise when I drive out on the highway. I think it sounds like the injectors firing but I am still unsure. Any ideas on what that sound could be and how to fix it? Also, I will check for coolant additive as soon as I get to town. Thanks guys

-Dave