Questions about fuel additives
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 181
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From: Sylva NC
Questions about fuel additives
I was reading some old post and ran across a study about ultra low sulfur fuels and there lack of the ability to lubricate properly. The study said that bio fuel is the best additive. Well Im a little confused about all the different types of diesel fuels. I know that all the on road pumps have ultra low sulfur but what is off road fuel? Is it the "old school" diesel or is it ultra low as well and just died red? Another thing, I work for the state and they just switched over to bio fuel and our mechanics are saying that this is a big mistake and that I should start buying fuel for the roll back and bull dozer at the gas station or we are gonna start having problems. Well now to my most important question. Now that I am running the ultra low sulfur fuel in my 86 6.9 what kind of additive should I be running in it to take the best care of the Big Red Ford?
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 5,638
Likes: 1
From: Manitoba
My personal additive of choice is Hayes Diesel Treat..... I have tried numerous others but come back to Hayes for a smooth, quieter running engine.......plus they have a Fail to start due to gelling "we pay the tow" policy. I would recommend HDT in both your diesel toys.......
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 21,285
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From: Nutter Fort, WV
Old school diesel in 86 had 5000+ PPM sulphur, that is what the IDI was designed to run on.
Then came Low Sulphur Diesel at 500 PPM sulphur.
Now we are at Ultra Low Sulphur Diesel with less than 15 PPM which was to replace all diesel by July 1 last year.
The change started earlier in some states, so the fuel companies just dyed all of the low sulphur red and sold it as Off Road fuel till it was gone.
By now, Off Road fuel is all ULSD and all the red dye means is there is no highway use tax paid on the fuel.
I have read a few things about biodiesel gelling easier than dino diesel does and I have also read that concentrations higher than B20 will cause problems with rubber fuel system parts on older diesels as well as clean out any deposits that have built up over the years.
So as long as it is B20 or lower, the problems should be gelling at temps below 40 degrees or plugged fuel filters when it breaks all the fuel system deposits loose.
I run Diesel Kleen in mine.
Then came Low Sulphur Diesel at 500 PPM sulphur.
Now we are at Ultra Low Sulphur Diesel with less than 15 PPM which was to replace all diesel by July 1 last year.
The change started earlier in some states, so the fuel companies just dyed all of the low sulphur red and sold it as Off Road fuel till it was gone.
By now, Off Road fuel is all ULSD and all the red dye means is there is no highway use tax paid on the fuel.
I have read a few things about biodiesel gelling easier than dino diesel does and I have also read that concentrations higher than B20 will cause problems with rubber fuel system parts on older diesels as well as clean out any deposits that have built up over the years.
So as long as it is B20 or lower, the problems should be gelling at temps below 40 degrees or plugged fuel filters when it breaks all the fuel system deposits loose.
I run Diesel Kleen in mine.
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 10,501
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From: Faibanks Ak.
PL7.3 do you mean howes if so don't count on a free tow a freind tried this and their answer was it had to have water in it that froze not fuel gelling so no pay. but it is what I use in my big trucks and pickups too noticed a gain in mpg if I use it regular in the big trucks.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,808
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From: Cincinnati Ohio
There is that concept I been following of adding one ounce of outboard 2 cycle oil with every gallon of Low sulfur diesel, by doing that does anyone know what that will bring the PPM to? Or the PPM or using b20? Id like to see if we can try something to get that "Old school Diesel."
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 182
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here is the study that smokey is talking about for thoes who have never read it
Lubricity Additive Study Results - Diesel Place
Lubricity Additive Study Results - Diesel Place
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 298
Likes: 1
From: Mexico
I live far south of the USA border. There are no additives here.
What about using fresh cheap motor oil or Tranny fluid as additives? Will these clean and lubicate?
What about using fresh cheap motor oil or Tranny fluid as additives? Will these clean and lubicate?
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Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2007
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From: Taylorsville, NC
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Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Nutter Fort, WV
ATF is a good cleaner, that is what we used to use in the old days.
We used Type F which did make the fuel red, but in those days off road fuel was not red so it was not a problem.
Back in the 70's when you found diesel conditioner, Power Service was the most common.
A quart was about 3 dollars and treated 50 gallons, so every fillup took 8 quarts or 24 dollars.
Quarts of type F tranny fluid were 88 cents, so in cold weather a couple quarts of tranny fluid and a couple gallons of gasoline per tank and you were good to go.
Today, the prices have reversed, and diesel conditioner is everywhere here in the US.
We used Type F which did make the fuel red, but in those days off road fuel was not red so it was not a problem.
Back in the 70's when you found diesel conditioner, Power Service was the most common.
A quart was about 3 dollars and treated 50 gallons, so every fillup took 8 quarts or 24 dollars.
Quarts of type F tranny fluid were 88 cents, so in cold weather a couple quarts of tranny fluid and a couple gallons of gasoline per tank and you were good to go.
Today, the prices have reversed, and diesel conditioner is everywhere here in the US.
Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,477
Likes: 21
From: Taylorsville, NC
If the ATF is red, it will tint the fuel red. I don't think mine was getting as red as off road fuel would be, but if you get checked any red tint to the fuel will set off alarm bells. It wasn't worth the potential trouble.
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 10,501
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From: Faibanks Ak.
IT wont tint near as red as offroad fuel in a truck 150 gal tanks but any tint at they think at some time or other you have used offroad fuel. I know for a fact that if you run a tank of red diesel it will still have a tint for several tanks before it clears completly up (don't ask how I know this).