So my question may not be anything new but I finally got my powerstroke about a month ago and have been trying some different additives being inthe heavy equipment industry but I was wondering if i could get some feedback from you guys.

The truck spends most of its life in Southwest Florida and Im offroad half of the time while the other half is highway driving, and some of that driving is done with a heavy load.

What aditive is everyone using?

What results can I expect from these additives?

And what would happen if I didn't run an additive?

Thanks for you're help
Patrick

 

Hi Patrick. Congrats on your new truck. These threads will explain it. You use it to keep the diesel running well. It will increase your fuel cetane rating. Benefits include better fuel mileage, keeps the fuel system clean, inhibit algae growth in your tank and some include anti gel for winter use.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/5...erservice.html
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/5...treatment.html

 

Just from the reading I've done on this site for Fuel add'ives you will find most here use (and like) Diesel Kleen by Power Service. They make both "regular" and winter formula to prevent fuel gelling in cold climates. Obviously you don't need to worry about that in FL.

Another readily available brand is Lucas, most truck stops and auto parts stores carry this, although it's a little harder to find their anti-gel formula, again not something you'll need if in FL for the winter. If you buy their smaller bottle it is refillable and has a squirt-top with oz. markings down the side, then refill this from the larger gallon bottles. Cost is very similar on a per-gallon basis as Lucas is a little more concentrated. I've been sticking w/ Lucas lately because of the packaging and been marked down at Pilot Truck Stops around here (TN).

I've used both, and the noticeable benefits are the same, quicker engine turn-over at cold start, some MPG increase and marginally smoother ideling. I do believe there are long term benefits that are hard to notice, or hope so at least. One thing most will agree on, whatever you decide to use, put it in every tank or you are not getting the benefit. Good Luck!

 

Algae can be a problem in our on road trucks? I didn't think it had long enough to sit. We've had those problems in our offroad fuel tanks at work and they make an additive called biobor which you add a certain amount per gallon every year to kill and break down any algae build up, but algae is mostly the presence of water, those problems still occur in the ULSD?

Wow

Thanks for the info

 

Algae is certainly not as common with on-road fuel, but can become a problem if you get a couple bad batches of fuel or if you let the vehicle sit for extended periods. Of course sitting unused can cause other problem with this motor, like rusty/sticky turbo vanes and other passages.

Personally, I don't seem to have a water in fuel problem, drained my HFCM before a Thanksgiving weekend trip, it had been almost 10k miles and no light on, just wanted to do it before hitting the road. Did not find any water at all, or too little to see in the jug had at least. Maybe that's the additive or I'm just getting good fuel (Pilot).

 

You bring up a good point 2005X. It's important to get fuel that is fresh. Try to use a station that moves a good amount. Look for places where lots of trucks fill up, like a Pilot.

 

I use the Diesel Kleen in both of my F250's and in my yanmars on my boat. But I also think that the most important thing is to get your fuel from a high turnover station. I'm lucky because I'm only 7 miles from a Flying J on I-95 and it always has fresh fuel.

 

MonatheGrona94,

Check out Stanadyne, it's the only OEM approved additive and they have different formulas for your location (winter temp) and needs etc. All their products are formulated for ULSD too, back in late 1999-2002 lots of trucks had a Stanadyne brochure in them from the factory too! If you have any questions please call us.

Mark @ DPPI

 

Well not exactly. The only fuel additive brand mentioned in the 6.0 Diesel Supplement manual is Motorcraft. Quote from the FMC Diesel Supplement page 31:
"Diesel Fuel Conditioner
Additives that will improve fuel cetane numbers may be used to
verify/enhance fuel quality. Use Motorcraft Cetane Booster &
Performance Improver, PM-17-A (U.S.) / PM-17-B (Canada) or
equivalent. The customer warranty may be void from using additives that
do not meet or exceed Ford specifications.
Do not use alcohol based additives to correct fuel gelling. This may
result in damage to the fuel injectors/system. Use Motorcraft Anti-Gel &
Performance Improver, PM-18-A (U.S.) / PM-18-B (Canada) or
equivalent. The customer warranty may be void from using additives that
do not meet or exceed Ford specifications."

FMC does not spell out Stanadyne, Diesel Kleen or any other aftemarket product. Manual only quotes FMC specs and Motorcraft part number. So your statement that "Stanadyne is the Only OEM approved fuel additive is a bit of a stretch.

Stanadyne is a good product (by no means the only choice, and in my manual FMC does not spell out to use Stanadyne), but so is DK and some others.

MonatheGrona94,

Diesel Kleen and Stanadyne are probably the two most popular fuel treatments used by the 6.0 crowd at FTE. Just make sure whatever manufactures fuel additive you use, that it does Not contain any alcohol, as alcohol will damage the fuel system.

Hope this helps

 

Thank you for sharing all of your knowledge. Really helpful to us "new" diesel owners.

 

I emailed Ford about what they recommend for the new low sulphur fuel for my 1996 7.3 PowerStroke. After a couple of email responses of "check your manual" (manual was printed several years BEFORE the new fuel was available) and "check with your local dealer" (I had already done that and they knew nothing) I finally got a phone call from a real person from Ford who said "Ford does not recommend using any additives, just diesel fuel". I really don't think that is an answer. There is so much info out there, most of it conflicting. Someone must know the real situation with the new fuel and old Ford diesels. Replies??

 

For the 6.0 they recommend Stanadyne or any high quality diesel fuel additive. No alcohol content though.

 

BlackHat, depends on which owners manual you have. My 03 owners manual recomended Stanadyne by name. My 05 says additives are not needed if ASTM 975 spec fuel is used.

 

mY 05 BOOK SAY'SIT SHOULD NOT BE NECESSARY TO ADD ANY AFTERMARKET ADDITIVESTO YOUR FUEL TANK IF YOU USE APROPERLY FORMULATED DIESELFUEL THAT MEETS THE ASTM D975 INDUSTRY SPECIFICATION.AFTERMARKET ADDITIVES CAN DAMAGE THE INJECTER SYSTEM OR ENGINE.REPAIRS TO CORRECT THE EFFECTS OF USING AN AFTERMARKET PRODUCT IN YOUR FUEL MAY NOT BE COVERED BY YOUR WARRANTY. PAGE 29-30

 

Ryan,
This is interesting, as when i go to the Motorcraft website and click on "Owner Guides" on the left hand column, then select 2003 SD the 1st & 2nd printing of the 6.0L Diesel Supplement (page 24), select 2005 SD the 1st, 2nd, & 3rd printing of the 6.0L Diesel Supplement (page 29), and select 2006 SD the 1st printing of the 6.0L Diesel Supplement (page 29), all say not to use any additive if the Fuel meets ASTM D 975 spec, and lists no additive recommendations at all.

Now if you select the 2006 SD 2nd & 3rd printing of the 6.0L Diesel Supplement (page 31) it says the following:
"Additives that will improve fuel cetane numbers may be used to
verify/enhance fuel quality. Use Motorcraft Cetane Booster &
Performance Improver, PM-17-A (U.S.) / PM-17-B (Canada) or
equivalent. The customer warranty may be void from using additives that
do not meet or exceed Ford specifications.
Do not use alcohol based additives to correct fuel gelling. This may
result in damage to the fuel injectors/system. Use Motorcraft Anti-Gel &
Performance Improver, PM-18-A (U.S.) / PM-18-B (Canada) or
equivalent. The customer warranty may be void from using additives that
do not meet or exceed Ford specifications."

http://www.motorcraftservice.com/vdi...ageid=&gutsid=