Oil & Fuel Diesel Additive

[Mcourchesne]

This will be my first winter owning/Operating my Massey Ferguson Tractor and need some guidance here on Diesel Additives.

I have a Massey GC2400 (not sure if that matters) and will garage it throughout the winter. My garage is not heated but being attached to the house it stays between 30 and 40 degrees through the winter.

1) Should I add diesel additives to the fuel?

2) What about the additives that are added already at the gas station?

The reason why I ask it a buddy of mine said he used it in his truck and it ate away the seals and gaskets.

Suggestions would help as it was 67 yesterday for the high and it will be in the 20's for the low in a few days.

 

[bp fick]

The experienced guys here recommended the White Bottle of Diesel Power Services. This is found everywhere. Wal-Mart, truck stops, etc.

I paid $5 and change for the smaller bottle, 16 oz I think. The larger bottle is a better value. This will condition something like 100 gallons.

This conditions the fuel, prevents gelling, raising cetane rating, (similar to raising octane rating for gasoline, I believe) and assists with keeping injectors clean, smoother starts, or so it says.

My major concern was gelling, but I think the other benefits sure can't hurt. Yes, the diesel you buy now is likely blended for winter, but the left over diesel in their tanks was there when they got their delivery. I have no way of judging what I am buying from the gas station. I don't wish to awake some cold morning to jello in my tank.

 

[dex3361]

I have been using White Bottle of Diesel Power Services for several years in my truck and I use it now year round in my tractors as well.

 

[20 20]

I add a small amount of kero during the winter and use Marvel Mystery Oil all year. Never once had a problem with gelling and believe the MMO helps keep things clean. Guy up the road uses an additive I believe it's called 9-11{???}.

 

[bp fick]

I add a small amount of kero during the winter and use Marvel Mystery Oil all year. Never once had a problem with gelling and believe the MMO helps keep things clean. Guy up the road uses an additive I believe it's called 9-11{???}.

MMO comes in both gasoline and diesel varieties. They are not interchangeable, AFAIK.

Also, 911, is not for everyday use. The Red Bottle; 911 is for after you have jello. It melts it. May you never need to use 911.

 

[20 20]

Bp Fick; The MMO I buy tells on the jug to use in diesel OR gas, and gives directions for both.

I don't use the 911 so I don't know all that much about it, the guy up the road uses it. I've never had trouble using a small mixture of kero so IMO if it works don't fix it.

 

[dodge man]

I use a product made by Howes(sp?) in the winter. From what I've read on here and a couple of other websites, I think it does a better job of stopping the gelling. I use power service in the summer.

 

[jlrsn]

It was -10 degrees F this morning where I live up at 8,000' in the Rockies and it gets down to -25 degrees F quite often. I’ve never had a problem with my Diesel Fuel Gelling since I started to use Stanadyne Performance Formula back in the early 90s. I use it in my present F250 PSD and in my Kubota L39.

I’ve used Stanadyne Performance Formula with every refill, both summer and winter, ever since the reduction of lubricating properties of diesel fuel came about that cost me a Fuel Injection Pump on my first 89 F250 7.3 Liter IDI Diesel.

Performance Formula - Stanadyne

 

[LBrown59]

White one quart bottle of Diesel Power Services per 55 gallon drum of fuel the year around is what i use.

 

[bp fick]

Bp Fick; The MMO I buy tells on the jug to use in diesel OR gas, and gives directions for both.

MMM is great stuff. They market one for gas and one for diesel. However, the website is not clear in the FAQ section which MMM it is referring to here:

Can I use Marvel Mystery Oilï½® with diesel fuel and if so, how much do I use?
Yes, you can use MMO in diesel fuel as well as gasoline. Use the same amounts as the gasoline treatment recommendations-4ozs of MMO for every 10 gallons of fuel. However, MMO does not comply with federal low sulfur content requirements for use in model year 2007 and newer diesel motor vehicles.

Again, this failure to comply with Federal low sulfur content for 2007 and new diesel motors applies to what?
The standard formula? The diesel formula? Both? It is quite unclear. Perhaps someone else knows.

 

[Mcourchesne]

Thanks Everyone...

This give me piece of mind knowing the right product is going into my tractor for long lasting use.

Mike

 

[thatguy]

I use a product made by Howes(sp?) in the winter. From what I've read on here and a couple of other websites, I think it does a better job of stopping the gelling. I use power service in the summer.

I was using the white bottle of Power Service but switched to the Howes anti-gel last year.. I think I saw a study that said the Howes was a better anti-gel, but who knows where or when - I could have dreamed it.. lol

I have a little trouble finding Howes, but Northern Tool usually has it, and a few TSC carry it..

As mentioned the Power Servie 911 is for after your fuel has gelled.. The silver bottle of PS is more for the lubricity.

Brian

 

[radioman]

This will be my first winter owning/Operating my Massey Ferguson Tractor and need some guidance here on Diesel Additives.

I have a Massey GC2400 (not sure if that matters) and will garage it throughout the winter. My garage is not heated but being attached to the house it stays between 30 and 40 degrees through the winter.

1) Should I add diesel additives to the fuel?

2) What about the additives that are added already at the gas station?

The reason why I ask it a buddy of mine said he used it in his truck and it ate away the seals and gaskets.

Suggestions would help as it was 67 yesterday for the high and it will be in the 20's for the low in a few days.

1. yes if it gets below 20's .diesel fuel has a cloud point around 20 F and a gel point around 0 F. cloud points in diesel is the crystals forming a wax particle. The ungel point when it warms up is always between the cloud and gelling point.
clear a mud ?

2. Do you TRUST a minimum wage gas attendant to tell you if the stuff is winterized or not everytime you fill up? I DON'T!! I always use treatment.

IT doesnt matter if you have a MF or kubota or 1 cylinder diesel or a ship sized engine- issue is the avg. temp of the diesel fuel when it needs to be used.

If you don't use the tractor in the winter, then no point of treating it as it will ungel when it's warm enough. As for diesel treatment eating aways seals, I haven't heard that one yet. I think there is some other factor at play. did he switch to b100 or something ?

 

[jlrsn]

2) What about the additives that are added already at the gas station?

The reason why I ask it a buddy of mine said he used it in his truck and it ate away the seals and gaskets.

Suggestions would help as it was 67 yesterday for the high and it will be in the 20's for the low in a few days.

--------------------------------------------------
There were two periods when diesel fuel caused the seals and gaskets to leak. I copied the following explanation from a Chevron Website titled:

Fuel Leaks From Seals of Vehicles Using Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel starting in 2006:

Some vehicle owners, who recently began using the new EPA regulated ultra low sulfur (S15) diesel fuel, report that their vehicles have developed fuel leaks. Similar occurrences were reported in the early 1990’s when low sulfur fuel (S500) was introduced. The leaks in the 1990’s occured at points where elastomers (Orings) are used to seal joints in the fuel system. During the 1993-94 period, the most common occurrences were injector fuel pump leaks.

This problem is not exclusive to one engine type, one fuel type, or one geographic region. It can affect some engines that are older than ten years, but some newer ones have experienced the problem as well. The reoccurrence of these fuel leaks could become widespread geographically when the majority of fuel supplies are switched to S15. However, it is anticipated that only a very small fraction of the vehicles may be affected.

Should further elastomer failures occur, they are expected to be sporadic. Seals in some vehicles may fail while similar seals in other vehicles using the same fuel may not. Past experience indicates that the common denominator is expected to be nitrile rubber (Buna N)
seals that have seen long service at high temperatures. High temperatures have a tendency to accelerate seal aging. The reduction in sulfur content is not responsible for the problem.

Two explanations have been offered to explain the sudden occurrence of seal failures:

•Many of the new S15 fuels are expected to contain lower levels of aromatics. The change from a higher to a lower aromatics fuel can cause seals to shrink. Aged seals, which do not have the elasticity to adapt to this change, appear to fail sooner.

•Some of the new S15 fuels are expected to be more susceptible to oxidation. The resulting oxidation products (peroxides) could attack the seal material and cause it to prematurely age.

I have many pdf files regarding this same problem.

Take care,
Jim

 

[Doug in NNY]

Late last winter I met an OTR truck driver and his wife while wandering around Tractor Supply. I asked him about what to use as an additive (after I told him about my BX2350 and the need to snow throw in winter).

He and his wife traveled as far north as the Canadian Maritimes in winter, sometimes facing -30 degrees Fahrenheit. He uses Howes Diesel Treat. I asked about other products. He said they were okay enough, but he uses Howes.

Nothing against Power Service products. I'm using Howes this winter. I also have a red bottle of 911 if I need it.

So, the BX2350 has a new Curtis cab. The Loftness snow thrower will be mounted tomorrow.

But, so far, no snow. Nothing. Last year this time we had three feet on the level. And I wasn't ready.

This year I'm ready. But, no snow . . . So far, my plan is working.

Doug

 

[iplumb]

Can someone please help me? I have a white bottle of power service from last year I assume its still good? Anyway I can't read the label anymore I need to know how much to use in my 5 gal. can? Thanks

 

[LoneCowboy]

I致e used Stanadyne Performance Formula with every refill, both summer and winter, ever since the reduction of lubricating properties of diesel fuel came about that cost me a Fuel Injection Pump on my first 89 F250 7.3 Liter IDI Diesel.

Performance Formula - Stanadyne

me too.
Every fillup, winter or summer.

 

[radioman]

yes power service is still good. However power service changed the formula from what I recall from couple years ago. What I do- I just add a splash of power service in 5 gallons that looks like couple big tablespoons worth. It's not worth the hassle to measure accurately since too much adds bit more cetane . too little only sets you you for a possible gelling issue when it gets below 0. Most of the winter a splash is sufficent. I just add another splash or 2 in tank when I know the temps will be 0 and below for a week or more. Its cheap insurance and buying another bottle is not a problem.

 

[herringchoker]

I will cast another vote for Howes Diesel Treat. It saved me years ago with a Series 60 Detroit Diesel in a Kenworth tractor (a triple dose to clear up an already clogged filter during a sudden deep freeze) and I've used it ever since in all my diesels, with not one problem.

 

[alvanko]

Has anyone tried Racor ADT4116?