Howe's Diesel Defender

[homey53]

I see a lot of ads for this product on line, Howe's Diesel Defender. As a general rule, are there any products we need to add to the diesel fuel we get from the pump. In winter, I add an anti gelling product, but I'm wondering if I should be using something like this year round? The ad claims it cleans injectors and keeps deposits from forming there.

 

[LouNY]

Some people swear by them, others swear at them. With the cetane numbers and lack of lubricity in our current fuels I wouldn't be adverse to using them.

 

[Hay Dude]

I dump a shot in every 80 gallon tankful of off road diesel I buy. I run the Hot Shot secret brand.
No injector issues.

I ran a Case-IH Magnum 270 built in 2000 for a few years. That tractor & Cummins pump was designed when diesel fuel had a lot more lubricity, which would keep the pump lubricated. They said the CAPS fuel pump would be ruined if you ran it out of fuel a few times ($6,000 to repair) on the newer, low lubricity fuel.
I think it’s vital to add lubricity in tractors with older pumps, but also the newer pumps, too.

 

[TMGT]

I prefer Hot Shot Secret everyday treatment, use to use Power Service but switched after seeing results from independent testing.

I always heard good things about Howes, but the testing results didn't impress me.

 

[oldballs]

As i understand it, Howes (the one that I used) was great for anti-gel....but made no comment about lubricity........So....I went back to Power Service white bottle....and use it year around on my little Kubotas. Since as a home owner with low hours per year, I just add the PS to every 5 gallon container.

 

[part-time-Farmer-NC]

Forgive my ignorance... Just gotta ask is that a cold weather add in? I use my tractor year round but a lot less in winter minor tasks etc. Never in sub 20's temps.

I hadn't thought about adding any additives to the fuel. Is that why ya'll run it? Are modern tractors (>2010) needing this?

 

[RjCorazza]

In Vermont I would agree that an anti gel product is a good idea. My climate is borderline for needing anti gel additive, but I use Power Service white all winter for the rare cold spell. I also use PS silver the rest of the time for its lubrication qualities.

 

[Eagle1]

Forgive my ignorance... Just gotta ask is that a cold weather add in? I use my tractor year round but a lot less in winter minor tasks etc. Never in sub 20's temps.

I hadn't thought about adding any additives to the fuel. Is that why ya'll run it? Are modern tractors (>2010) needing this?

I do use a anti gel here in southern Missouri, cows need hay in the middle of winter. I may get to -20 at night and we normally have a week with no positive numbers. It might also be 80 in Jan. Much rather use the tractor to move round bales than carry ATV and yard trailer load up the hill to the winter pasture.
Some times I even have to move enough snow to get around. Not often but we can a few feet at times.

 

[dodge man]

Newer tractors, say 25 years old or newer, are designed to run on pump diesel. I view additives as something to make your wallet lighter. There are exceptions, say anti gel for the winter, fuel stabilizer for long term gas storage, and biocides for if you are getting growth in your diesel.

 

[j13smiley]

You'll get lots of opinions on this. There probably plenty of threads to search and read thru.

I think I use Hot Shots.

Project Farm did a review...

 

[homey53]

Thanks for all the replies.

 

[Little Red Tractor]

I'm on my 3rd diesel tractor. My machine sits inside all year, in an unheated garage. Even in below zero weather, it generally stays a few degrees warmer than the outside. Since having a gelling problem with my last tractor in not-so-terribly cold weather, I've cut my winter fuel by about 1/3 kerosene. I generally add Power Service (white bottle) to my winter fuel as well, as I generally don't run but 10 gallons through it all winter.

 

[Alan W.]

I have used power service for years and no problem.
I watch project farm all the time but the wear test he uses was designed to test gear oil and will give false results when used for other lubricants. The motor oil geek explains and proves this in his videos.

 

[Reapoman]

My neighbor is a diesel mechanic. He claims the modern bio-diesel these days supplies the needed lubricity for engines. Here in minnesota, the law requires 20 percent bio in all diesel fuel sold.

 

[DarkBlack]

I watch project farm all the time but the wear test he uses was designed to test gear oil and will give false results when used for other lubricants. The motor oil geek explains and proves this in his videos.

He’s simply rubbing a roller bearing against a rotating surface. All the additives have the exact same test conditions, so the results should be valid on the basis of relative results, under the same conditions. I don’t see how that is “designed” for gear oil. He’s simply measuring the power needed to overcome friction, and the resulting wear from the friction.
How do you figure he’s getting false results?

 

[dodge man]

It’s true biodiesel is the best at supplying lubricants, it’s also the best at gelling up.

 

[neilpaku]

I'm in Western NY and have had a Ford 6.0 since 2005 in that climate - lows of negative teens and highs over 100. I've never used additives and have not had any issues with the injection system or gelling, etc. My JD 430 which is a mid-'80s machine I believe also has no issues in those areas. So to me, additives are more in the category of a solution looking for a problem. Others probably find it helps in some way.

 

[CoyPatton]

I see a lot of ads for this product on line, Howe's Diesel Defender. As a general rule, are there any products we need to add to the diesel fuel we get from the pump. In winter, I add an anti gelling product, but I'm wondering if I should be using something like this year round? The ad claims it cleans injectors and keeps deposits from forming there.

If like me, you own an older tractor that’s engine was designed for sulfur based diesel then likely you have lost some lubrication from the sulfur for your engine. (This is s debated topic in many places, that other lubricates were added to replace that lost with sulfur removal.) My mindset us a bit more lubricate in the fuel won’t hurt anything. I try to add just a bit of additive when I add fuel—usually just 1-2 capfuls as my tank is about 5 gallons. I have used a few different ones over the years. I try not to mix additives, I fo this ny running through a couple of tanks of fuel without additive included. My area typically gets very little snow, so usage in winter is minimum. Also even at 540 PTO engine rpms, my tractor sips fuel.

 

[Alan W.]

He’s simply rubbing a roller bearing against a rotating surface. All the additives have the exact same test conditions, so the results should be valid on the basis of relative results, under the same conditions. I don’t see how that is “designed” for gear oil. He’s simply measuring the power needed to overcome friction, and the resulting wear from the friction.
How do you figure he’s getting false results?

I use to think the same until I started watching motor oil geek. He designed and formulated lubricants plus has a lab. In one of his videos he showed that a motor oil that had the largest wear scar per the gear oil test actually had the least engine wear when an oil analysis was completed. He knows his stuff and backs it up with a thorough analysis.

 

[Shenandoah MF1760]

Why use an additive?

It depends on what your concern is.

Fuel gelling in cold weather
Microbial growth
Water contamination
Improved fuel economy
Protecting engine components from wear
Cleaning engine components (injectors etc.)
Stabilize Fuel (long term storage)

If you go through fuel quickly and only refuel at places with a high turnover you might not worry about any of these things.

But if your vehicle sits for long periods or you get fuel at Bob's Gas & Go out in the middle of nowhere that see's a tanker about twice a year, you'd probably benefit from additives.

Or if you have a truck with a trash engine like my '08 F-450 you'll want anything you can get to get that last mile out of it.