Question regarding diesel fuel additives

[Too many Kubotas]

I'll gather that Lucas diesel products are not widely desired. Why? I have had great results with their oils and especially their greases. Fill me in.

I haven't had any good or bad results with Lucas products, never having used them. Except for that 1/4 of a bottle of fuel treatment.

It's spending hours finding and reading test results that has formed my opinion. Haven't checked, but if "The Motor Oil Geek" has included Lucas in a test, that should be the definitive answer.

He really knows his stuff, and tests things in a manner that other You Tubers could only dream of. Then explains the results with facts that likely goes well over most peoples' heads. Well, mine anyway.

Grease? I use Chevron, the red smelly stuff. That's because I've had very good luck with it in applications where other greases failed. I'd also like to think that Chevron has more and better engineers and resources than a small outfit like Lucas.

 

[Williy]

I use the Power Service in the white container year round so always
ready for the weather changes

willy

 

[Too many Kubotas]

Probably more word of mouth than actual road test data on this subject though.

Advertising and relentless sponsorships in some motorsports venues is my guess.

 

[kenhar]

If your fuel system is clean and you use clean fuel, you don't need additives except in the winter to prevent jelling. Everybody's different experience and advice on all the different brands of additives are about the same as why there are different color vehicles. Everyone gets what they like.

 

[Fields_mj]

I used to use power service (white bottle) in my 7.3 for the colder months here in Indiana. If you're just wanting lubricity, just add a quart of ATF to your fuel tank every once in a while. If you drive it a lot, and you are really concerned about lubricity, run pump fuel that has biodiesel blended in it, but be forewarned that it has a reputation for cleaning a lot of stuff out quickly. Also know that biodiesel promotes some kind of bacteria growth if it sits too long, so if you don't drive the truck regularly, I'd avoid fuel that has biodiesel blended into it if you can. If you can't avoid it, then I'd probably add the Power Service Diesel Kleen at least periodically.

 

[redmt]

My short list,,,,,2 7.3 Power Strokes with close to 700k between them. Cat D5 B 6000 + hours. Case 580 K 5000 + hours Kubota 3200 2500 + hours. I've never added anything but an occasional it of ATF to approximately 20 gallons fuel. No problems,,,ever.
Questionable fuel? Dump it.

 

[alylea]

My only diesel is a 15KW standby genset here in CT. The engine is a Lombardini 2 cyl, 22 HP. I start it once a month and store 7 gallons in the belly tank, and 50 gallons outdoors in a holding tank, along with 20 gallons indoors in 5 gallon cans. This is all long term storage and I treat the 50 gallon tank and the belly tank yearly with following:

1. Power Service Diesel Kleen
2. Power Service Clear Diesel Fuel & Tank Cleaner
3. Power Service Bio Kleen Diesel Fuel Biocide

I treat the 5 gallon cans with #1 & #3 when I fill them

I also polish all of it once a year with a Mr. Funnel Fuel Filter. It works well and I am always pleased/surprised with the water it removes from the 50 gallon tank. I have stored diesel this way for 20+ years and 10 year old fuel still runs well with just a touch more smoke. No big deal and no engine issues.

 

[Too many Kubotas]

If your fuel system is clean and you use clean fuel, you don't need additives except in the winter to prevent jelling.

...and you are really concerned about lubricity, run pump fuel that has biodiesel blended in it, but be forewarned that it has a reputation for cleaning a lot of stuff out quickly.

But...but...we just learned that the system is most likely already clean.

 

[Too many Kubotas]

If you're just wanting lubricity, just add a quart of ATF to your fuel tank every once in a while.

Be careful with what engine you add ATF to. Modern high pressure systems apparently doesn't like ATF at all, and it doesn't help that supposedly newer ATF isn't even made to burn.

Old engines with mechanical pumps are quite tolerant, but that doesn't mean pouring all kinds of stuff into the fuel is good for them. The engineers making ATF formulae probably aren't considering using their products in diesels, much like the ones creating fuel additives don't expect you to put theirs in automatic transmissions.

 

[Roar]

I have a 2004 Dodge 2500 with a Cummins, a New Holland TC30, and a Homelite generator with a Lombardini two cylinder air cooled engine. I use Stanadyne additive in all of them. Stanadyne makes, or at least used to make, injection pumps and injectors, so I figure they know a thing or two about these things.

 

[newbury]

Keep in mind anything built in recent times is designed to run on the diesel you get here in the US. If you have something older when sulfur was in the diesel then you might need to always add an additive. If you really feel the need for an additive do some research. Project Farm has a good video on diesel additives.

There have been a lot of fuel injectors built and sold in the US by Bosch and other firms that were built for fuel with greater lubricity. My 2009 VW had one of them.

 

[sixdogs]

I need a little help here. It's hard to know which diesel additive review site is reputable. Project Farm is always great but this one is restricted to anti-gel treatment and Lucas did OK in that. Some reviews are just false pitches or click bait with someone reading the info on the bottle. Where can I find real reviews and comparisons?

 

[Too many Kubotas]

Where can I find real reviews and comparisons?

The Motor Oil Geek.

 

[sixdogs]

The Motor Oil Geek.

Thank you. Great info.

How did I miss this guy?

 

[big bubba]

various diesel additives address 4 common problems 1) lubricity 2) moisture/condensation 3) gelling in cold 4) algae growth in the fuel.

have yet to find one that addresses all of the above issues, & certainly depends on your location/use, etc. almost as important as using additives is to use a high volume reputable fuel source. btw been using Howes for years, been told it's a truckers favorite but cannot confirm... regards,

 

[sixdogs]

various diesel additives address 4 common problems 1) lubricity 2) moisture/condensation 3) gelling in cold 4) algae growth in the fuel.

have yet to find one that addresses all of the above issues, & certainly depends on your location/use, etc. almost as important as using additives is to use a high volume reputable fuel source. btw been using Howes for years, been told it's a truckers favorite but cannot confirm... regards,

Thanks. I used Power Service in a truck with fuel that had been sitting for at least 4 years in a heated shop. The results were almost immediate in smoother running and better performance. I also added some Lucas cleaner and cetane improver. Now as new fuel has come into the picture, I cannot believe the difference in running and performance.

I bought some Lucas Cetane additive so may try that but I think I'll keep adding Power Service. I wish I could find a site with a smart guy that reviews these diesel fuel additives. Lots of oil additive sites but not so much for fuel.


EDIT--Let me add that my prior views regarding oil and fuel treatments were that they were fools errands for suckers and only good for the makers of the product. Oopsie...

 

[big bubba]

actually you came out lucky w/4 yr old fuel. sounds like you've got it covered

 

[Too many Kubotas]

actually you came out lucky w/4 yr old fuel.

Why would four year old fuel not work well?

 

[big bubba]

possible condensation sitting that long. algae could also be an issue depending on location, maybe not his

 

[Too many Kubotas]

possible condensation sitting that long. algae could also be an issue depending on location, maybe not his

I'm fortunate in that condensation isn't an issue here, but most general additives can take care of some water. If nothing else, the strainer on the tractor should.

The real issue with water in the fuel tank is that it allows bacteria to grow (it's not algae). If so, BioBor works well.