Oil & Fuel Opinions on fuel additives

[JOHNINMA]

I know this has probably been discussed at length before, but I was wondering what opinions are on fuel additives in new equipment. I currently treat the ULSD fuel in my 2000 GMC truck and in my B5200 with Stanadyne performance formula diesel additive, but do not use any additives in my new L3540. I've been afraid to use any additives in the new tractor for fear it could come back at me in the event of a warranty claim. I was reading online about diesel fuel and additives and I now wonder if I am wrong to not also treat the fuel in the L3540 I am particularly interested in Opti-Lube XPD to potentially use in everything. Any help is appreciated.

 

[newbury]

Unless your engine was designed for Ultra LOW Lubricity fuel like they sell in the States I'd put in something to lube it. Either Diesel Kleen or Biofuel.

 

[kuboman]

I would use the Stanadyne in everything. Excellent product.:thumbsup:

 

[Danner]

My best friend through high school and college got a job as an internal combustion engineer at Ford in 1976, where he works to this day.

Over the years we have talked about fuel and oil additives, and there is one universal truth. They are useless.

Except, in engines that are already worn out, and alcohol used to be beneficial in freezing conditions where the fuel system had some water in it.

 

[JOHNINMA]

Thankyou to everybody for the quick response. I have been using the Stanadyne for years now and have a good supply of it on hand, so I will just go ahead and add it to the L3540 as well. Thanks again.

 

[sixdogs]

I would use the Stanadyne in everything. Excellent product.:thumbsup:

Ditto. I have used Stanadyne for maybe 25 years and never had a problem with an injector and that's over thousands of hours. There may be others that work but my experience with Stanadyne has been 100% good.

 

[dodge man]

I also tend to be in the group that think additives are a waste of money, except to prevent the fuel from gelling in the winter. I have a bottle of Howse on hand for that. Even though I think they are a waste, I have a bottle of the white and grey power service also.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

I have a bottle of the white and grey power service also.

My fellow Dodge man HAVING the white and grey power service is helpful? Do you just store it near the tractor or keep it on a shelf anywhere on your property?:laughing: Maybe store them in the little tool box on your tractor? Sorry, I couldn't resist. I HAVE alot of "stuff" that I never use, I just have it. When I just have it will/does last almost forever, my "stuff".
I myself have bought the Power Service in the White bottle after reading a thread here about it several years ago. I have actually used it sporadically over the years. Don't think I have any now but may buy some more one day. I have 4 Kubotas that I could use it in but they seem to run as well when I use it as they do when I don't use it.
Growing up there were the "Motor Honey" guys and then the othe 90% of us that were not "Motor Honey" guys. STP finally came out with their thick stuff and fantasic advertising. I guess the Company got rich because of it.
Not sure there was ever any difference in our "test group" of cars running faster/slower or lasting longer/shorter because of using/not using Motor Honey/STP. Users slept better at night knowing they were using it and non users slept OK knowing they were not wasting their money on thick oil. Guess it never hurt/helped? any thing.
I do realize fuel additives is a bit different because of maybe cleaning fuel injectors but still not 100% convinced of that maybe 25%. Mercedes Benz used to recommend in the owners manual that Mechron be added to the fuel in their gas engines to help clean the injectors and then EXXON started adding Mechron to their fuel with it being advertised on their pump, that Mechron was added. Maybe all fuel now has some injector cleaner additive included?
I guess I'm now convinced to get me some more Power Service in the White bottle and HAVE it like my fellow Dodge Man. I'll see how long it will last.

 

[BeezFun]

Over the years we have talked about fuel and oil additives, and there is one universal truth. They are useless.

Except, in engines that are already worn out, and alcohol used to be beneficial in freezing conditions where the fuel system had some water in it.

ditto, my friend works for BP testing their fuels, one thing they do regularly is test additives to see if they really do improve anything. Their motivation is selfish, if they found something useful they'd add it themselves to improve the fuel. They've never seen anything that makes any difference.

 

[CAgnoli]

I use Power Service In all my diesel engines.

Especially my 2011 F250. The fuel pump in those trucks requires 45 Cetane diesel and since ULSD in the US is basically 40 Cetane give or take, I'm boosting the Cetane with the Power Service.

As for antigel, Number 1 shouldn't gel anyway, but I gt the anti gel benefits from the Power Service as well.

It's not all that expensive, and it gives ME peace of mind so I do it. I know others thinks its a waste of money and I can relate. I've got my own opinions on other things like oil change intervals and full fluid hydro changes......we are all doing what we think is best.

Until the manufacturer mandates additive usage, then this debate will live on....

 

[shownuff]

if you dont use an additive , try it for a couple of tankfuls and you will notice a difference for someone who uses their unit once every month or so you might not notice any change- but for someone who runs it daily its gonna show a positive change

 

[Soundguy]

I use power service ( white or silver, depending on temps ).. plus biocide, and occasionally some lucase ful lube..e tc.

can't hurt, even if it don't help much... and if it does indeed help.. which it likely does ( IMHO ).. you are that much farther ahead....

soundguy

 

[ljohnson778]

Say what you want... I've been running diesels in the northeast and running fuel treatment. Never had a problem, regardless of temp(or engine manufacturer) but friends of mine, those who say"I never run anything" are always calling me for help... Go figure.

 

[sixdogs]

I started running Stanadyne because my diesel mechanic said injector pumps were failing because a lack of lubricity from the sulfer being removed from fuel. The Stanadyne, he felt, provifded the lubricity needed to protect the pump. That's why I used it and 20 or 25 years and a few thousand hours in different tractors I have never had a problem.

 

[kuboman]

I started running Stanadyne because my diesel mechanic said injector pumps were failing because a lack of lubricity from the sulfer being removed from fuel. The Stanadyne, he felt, provifded the lubricity needed to protect the pump. That's why I used it and 20 or 25 years and a few thousand hours in different tractors I have never had a problem.

:thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:

 

[Willl]

I have to go on what others tell me is the good stuff.

 

[MHarryE]

Your engine was designed and built in Japan using a Japanese fuel injection system. Japan has some of the lowest lubricity fuel in the world. Their sulphur limit has been 10 ppm since 2007. The off-highway pump in my town is labeled as having over 500 ppm which until Sunday was allowable for small refineries. Bottom line is Japanese systems have been designed to work on fuels closer to kerosene than our diesel. Your additive probably won't hurt and if it makes you feel better, use it, but it takes something real bad like running a lot of water in your fuel or letting dirty fuel get past the filters before you can screw one up.

 

[wcampbell47]

I have used Power Source and Lucas additive in my diesel Jetta. The Power Source boosted my mileage by 2 to 3 mpg over not using it. I use Lucas in my F150 on trips - again because I see a boost in mileage.

I think it is a given that fuel injectors do foul, some more than others maybe. I try to use a good source of fuel - one that turns over a lot of gallons - not a mom and pop store where you don't know how long the fuel has been in the tank.

At the end of the day an occasional dose of additive doesn't seem to do any harm and may do some good. If I did not see the boost in mileage I don't think I would have an interest in using.

 

[sixdogs]

I have to go on what others tell me is the good stuff.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...-fuel-additives-diesel_fuel_additive_test.pdf


We all should take a look at this link from a couple posts earlier. Fact is, lubricity has been--and is being-- removed from diesel fuel and we need to do something about it to prevent our older machinery from gradually being ruined. It's not so much of an issue with a new truck but an entirely different matter with older engines. And the vast majority of what's out there is older.
Just my two cents.

 

[Sniggle]

About a year after I picked up my G1900, the engine started periodically losing power when cutting. I called the local Kubota dealer, and the mechanic suggested I run a bottle of a diesel cleaner/additive and see what happens. After 1/2 a tank the engine was back to it's old reliable self. I now always add a diesel fuel additive...for an extra $5 over 30 gallons, it is worth it to me.