Do or do not use a fuel additive in the '99 7.3. I have heard that you should use an additive.If so, what kind, and how much.

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Early '99 F350 DRW 7.3 Only 29,000 miles
Used to pull 5th wheel RV in summer.

 

Every fill up I use diesel kleen from wally world, mix per instructions on bottle

 

eating popcorn.

 

I use Howes Lubricator on every fill up. It is 1oz per 5 gal of fuel. I have noticed an increase in MPG using it.

 

I've even tried 2 cycle oil. Actually seemed like it smoothed out my engine at idle and quieted it down.

 

I've been using DK off and on, I don't really notice any difference between running with and without it. It it supposed to help minimize wear on injectors and such and I can't vouch for that, but as far as detectable seat of pants differences I've noticed none.

 

I have been running Power Service in the white bottle in my tractor for years never had it jell on me. Ran it in my PSD all winter and never had the fuel jell. Still run it in both now and through the summer due to the ULSD not having the lube.

 

Schaeffers here every tank

 

I second the Schaeffers. I will be running the Soyshield next go around.

 

I use Diesel Kleen as well and I totally notice a difference, a "cleaner" smelling exhaust (maybe just different) and definitely better mileage.

 

I use DK in every tank. 1/2 oz per gal is what I do.

 

Welcome to FTE. Why do you ask? This is an often debated topic. Some swear by additives, others think it is a complete waste of money. The 3 main things additives are often used for is 1) increased lubricity, 2) improving the cetane rating, and 3) anti-gel properties.

1) it is a know fact that LSD (low sulfur diesel) and now ULSD (ultra low sulfur diesel) has less lubricating properties than the old fashioned #2 diesel from years ago. The EMA (engine manufacturer's association) and the EPA (idiots) disagreed on what the proper wear rating for new ULSD should be, but of course the EPA sets the guidelines, so they won the argument on what the lubricating properties of our new fuel is. ULSD by itself, does not have sufficient lubricating properties for our trucks, but the distributors add a lubricity additive to the fuel before it is sold at the retail location. If you trust the EPA and the fuel distributor (not the same as the station you buy fuel from) then you may not want / need the additive.

2) There have been reports that some fuel distributors sell a diesel fuel with a lower cetane rating that has an adverse affect on fuel economy. Since cetane rating is not listed on many pumps, it's up to you to ask the retailer, or monitor your fuel economy to determine if a cetane additive is helpful. Again the distributor is supposed to provide fuel with a proper cetane rating, but some pinch pennies to sell more fuel.

3) Anti-gel is of course for the cold weather, which it doesn't look like you drive your truck in too often. Again, the distributor is supposed to mix in a sufficient amount of #1 fuel, or additives to aid in anti-gel properties sold at the retail pump. Several reports of gelled fuel this winter indicate not all distributors are using enough mix to prevent fuel gelling issues.

Starting to see a pattern here? As for me, I'm a fan of fuel additives. I've used Stanadyne, Howe's, & Power Service (diesel kleen). I can tell you that Stanadyne and Power Service bottles are prone to leaking once the seal is broken, while the Howe's bottle can bounce around in your bed and never leak a drop. I've got 285,000 miles on my stock injectors, so I can tell you that the additive does not hurt anything.

Sorry for the long winded answer if you were just looking for a yes/no opinion.

 

Chris..I am with you.I use DK and am the worst measurer so it gets too much or too little sometimes and has never been a problem.I cannot tell alot on mileage or power.

 

where do you buy howes and how does the price compare to DK

 

some guy at my work was trying to say put in a quart of transmission fluid evey fill up. i thought about it and isnt that what they put in the red off highway diesel?