Home Forums Gear Hunting Trucks and Four-Wheel Drives Deisel Additives

I am new to diesels. Do those of you who run them use additives? Summer, winter or both. What do you use if you do?

I've got close to 400K on my 99 dodge diesel and have never used any kind of additives, in my opinion they're snake oil. Someone will be along shortly however to tell you that your truck will die within the first 50 miles without XYZ Super Miracle Additive.

The only time I would consider using an additive would be cold weather. Cold enough where gelling could occur.

I'm not really sure of the gel point of diesel but if it's 0F or colder it's a good idea to run #1 fuel. If you have a tank full of #2 it probably wouldn't hurt to dump in some anti-gel additive.



Our issue is mainly tractors that still have #2 in the tank and winter sets in. They will gel up up when it's cold. Of course straight #1 is the safest bet but the additives do seem to help with #2.


I've already started filling them with additives and #1 fuel.

Howes was sale so I bought that. This is another brand we use.



https://petroleumservicecompany.com...supplement-cetane-boost-6-80-ounce-case/

It gets cold enough in Connecticut to need additives in #2. I use the same Power Service additive as Sam. Never had an issue, and would think it absolutely necessary in colder climates like Montana.

Diesel is typically blended for local conditions. Unless traveling north or to higher elevation, diesel from a reputable station should give you no trouble.

Thanks guys.

I use this every tank.

https://amzn.to/2MGZjLP


And I use this every several tanks

https://amzn.to/2PavQeB


My goal is to add lubricity and condition the crappy ULS diesel (40 cetaceans) fuel we have in the US.

Search for Bosch CP4 failures...

I use FPPF Total Power and #1 any time 0F or lower ambient is in the forecast. I also use additive anytime I'm buying fuel from someplace that looks like maybe they don't go through very much diesel. Other than that, #2 from a reputable station, #1 and additive if it's going to be cold. The additive added to #1 to add back in some of the lubricity that #1 lacks.

New fuel filters every-other oil change (5K changes) as well.

In 265K miles I've never used an additive in my diesel truck. The only exception is if I'm going from a warm area to a cold area, then I'll use an anti-gel. Example, being in North Carolina in February then driving back to Minnesota.

Where I have spent extra money is on more frequent fuel filter changes. Manufacturer suggests changing fuel filters every 15,000 miles. I have always changed mine every 7k to 8k miles. At 218,000 miles my injectors were removed, inspected and new O-rings installed. They went right back in the truck.

a 99 Dodge is not the same type of critter as one of these new emission choked common rail motors


the fuel and injection systems are completely different


I buy premium diesel when I can get it , otherwise add Howes or Stanadyne


Optilube is very good , but its not on the shelve in these parts

I have a 97&02 7.3 Powerstroke I do not run Additives in the fuel, only in the winter for gelling. My 05 6.0 since day one has gotten a additive in the fuel and oil. I only have 138,000 miles on the truck but zero issues. I started using Power Service switch to Optilube Now went back to power service.

the 7.3 and 6.0 powerstrokes are also more forgiving as to quality of fuel than any late model common rail motors

Anything diesel is expensive, pumps and injectors included. I have 9 pieces of diesel powered equipment, none of it tier 4 emmission nonsense, but several are high pressure common rail injection. I GLADLY spend a few extra dollars on fuel treatments. HOWES, Power Service, FPPF and even 2 cycle motor oil are some things I use to add lubrication to the fuel system.

Have friends that work in diesel shops and have seen and heard numerous horror stories this Ultra Low Sulfer fuel can cause. Maybe I am throwing a few bucks away but I sleep a whole lot better knowing my fuel has added lubrication to protect those expensive pieces.

This:


and




I had a 2002 Dodge Cummins that was a tank and relatively trouble free. I have a VW TDI now and run Power Service or Stanadyne in every tank. If a fuel pump grenades due to lack of lubricity, it's many thousands of $ fix.

YEP,living in cold climate run additives year around.No issues in the last 30 plus years.Tell me they are snake oil when its -20 below and you are trying to start your chit.Laffin..

It doesn't really get cold enough here to need winterized fuel but quite a few stations sell it. It comes in handy when taking a cold weather trip.

Like dolphins? They dont burn well or something?

Winter time I use Powerservice in all the diesels.


Winter and summer I run Stanadyne in my 93 Ford.

Sulphur provides publicity to diesel,
<15ppm ULSD has very little left.

Fuel from the rack is not treated unless the jobber pays for
premium fuel, most don't.
So, it's usually handled by the driver dosing out of a five gallon can.
1 quart/1k gallons, with the stuff we used.
Mistakes happen, I'm sure with some lazy drivers, nothing happens.

Look up the clearances in an injector pump piston. It goes well beyond .001.
If I remember the Cat guy said it was .000005. 5 millionths!



I almost always add a lubricity additive.

As for gelling normal diesel doesn't gell until -5°F.
USLD can gell as high as 17°F, depending on actual sulphur content.
Anti gelling additives are influenced by sulphur content, and can
be ineffective if the levels are too low. We sometimes see sulphur at 5ppm.
Adding kerosene or even highsulphur fuel oil can really boost sulphur and
lower the gell point. If, your engine is old enough to accept it.

Of course,
that's illegal.

But, we can buy clear kerosene her in a jug...