fuel additives

[Shawn T. W.]

The

Since the goobermint took all the lubricating qualities out of Diesel Fuel

I find that hard to believe ... ALL?

Really? I drive a New Kenworth Truck with a Cummins X15 engine, I do add myself some Hot Shot Winter Extreme when temperature is going below +30° which also includes a extra lubricant, but majority of the fuel I burn in 600K miles before we trade them in at 4 years old is just what I pump out of the truck stops I go to, Flying J, Pilot, and Love's ... Mostly a biodiesel blend of 5-20%

On my personally owned tractors I run 100% "dino-diesel", I run Hot Shots Everyday in the summer (with a half dose of the LX4 added) and in the winter I use there Winter Defense (with a half dose of the LX4 added) besides roughly twice a year I use there DIESEL EXTREME system cleaner ... Be aware that there are two ways to "remove" water/condensate ... One is allow it to "mix" with the fuel and burn it ... The other is to "help" it separate from the fuel, and you collect and remove it ... Hot Shot uses the later, I prefer that way better, research if you want to push water through your injectors and pump ...

 

[dodge man]

If you look at that study, biodiesel had the best lubrication quality’s.

 

[Shawn T. W.]

It also has the best ability to also absorb water ...

My original point was we drive 600K miles ... There must be still lubricant in the fuel, the government didn't take it ALL out!

 

[RayIN]

The only additive I would be interested in would be if I had a Diesel with a HPFP (highpressurefuelpump). In that case I would want to add an additive that helps lubricate the fuel pump. Some pumps are better than others but they all need lubricating these days. HPFPs are a different animal altogether. Forget all the Old-School stuff when it comes to them. Otherwise, it could cost you a LOT of money

Since the goobermint took all the lubricating qualities out of Diesel Fuel, it's a good idea to add some back in. Especially if you're running Winter Fuel or mixing in kerosene. I don't believe kerosene has much in the way of lubricating qualties. If any at all.

YMMV

The best overall lubricant is biodiesel, which also happens to be the lowest cost.

 

[SatchmoIsBack]

Some people take all the fun out of everything

 

[dodge man]

Biodiesel has the best lubrication qualities but yes it is also the first to gel up. Given a choice I like to run pure diesel but the only way to get it is off road. I can get that from a friend on occasion.

 

[RayIN]

The


I find that hard to believe ... ALL?

Really? I drive a New Kenworth Truck with a Cummins X15 engine, I do add myself some Hot Shot Winter Extreme when temperature is going below +30° which also includes a extra lubricant, but majority of the fuel I burn in 600K miles before we trade them in at 4 years old is just what I pump out of the truck stops I go to, Flying J, Pilot, and Love's ... Mostly a biodiesel blend of 5-20%

On my personally owned tractors I run 100% "dino-diesel", I run Hot Shots Everyday in the summer (with a half dose of the LX4 added) and in the winter I use there Winter Defense (with a half dose of the LX4 added) besides roughly twice a year I use there DIESEL EXTREME system cleaner ... Be aware that there are two ways to "remove" water/condensate ... One is allow it to "mix" with the fuel and burn it ... The other is to "help" it separate from the fuel, and you collect and remove it ... Hot Shot uses the later, I prefer that way better, research if you want to push water through your injectors and pump ...

The relatively-new high pressure common rail fuel delivery systems and accompanying tight tolerance injectors will be destroyed if much water passes through them. The water molecules are much larger than diesel fuel molecules.

If anyone tries to tell you they sell diesel fuel containing no biodiesel. Ask them what other lubricity additive is used, it they cannot tell you, they are selling B2, which does not require any pump sticker.
To the best of my knowledge, the EPA requires ALL diesel fuel to contain an additive to replace the lost lubricity during the refining process that removes sulfur.

 

[TractorGunn]

I've been using PowerService grey bottle during the summer and white bottle during the winter in my 2002 BX2200 ever since the switch to ultra low sulfur diesel fuels. Got over 2,400 hours on it and never a problem with the injection pump or the injectors.

Here in upstate NY, we've got a lot of asphaltenes in our diesel fuels and I notice it keeps the fuel filters from turning grey/black color.

I also use PowerService or Hotshots EDT in my 2020 EcoDiesel because of the CP4.

I love diesels and I want to be sure I'm doing the best I can to keep them running happy.

I started using the same, and noticed it runs smoother and quieter.

 

[SatchmoIsBack]

The relatively-new high pressure common rail fuel delivery systems and accompanying tight tolerance injectors will be destroyed if much water passes through them. The water molecules are much larger than diesel fuel molecules.

If anyone tries to tell you they sell diesel fuel containing no biodiesel. Ask them what other lubricity additive is used, it they cannot tell you, they are selling B2, which does not require any pump sticker.
To the best of my knowledge, the EPA requires ALL diesel fuel to contain an additive to replace the lost lubricity during the refining process that removes sulfur.

My understandning of what happens to water-contaminated diesel passing through injectors is -- Water boils and turns to steam at 212 degrees F. Since the combustion chamber of a diesel can temporarily reach 4500 degrees F, the water instantly turns to steam, expands and destroys the injector.

OTOH, I could be completely wrong since I am not an engineer. Not smart enough. But that's what I read somewhere. And we all know, if it's on the Interweb, it must be true.

 

[RayIN]

My understandning of what happens to water-contaminated diesel passing through injectors is -- Water boils and turns to steam at 212 degrees F. Since the combustion chamber of a diesel can temporarily reach 4500 degrees F, the water instantly turns to steam, expands and destroys the injector.

OTOH, I could be completely wrong since I am not an engineer. Not smart enough. But that's what I read somewhere. And we all know, if it's on the Interweb, it must be true.

That sounds like the technical explanation of my simple one.

 

[NH TC25D]

I'm really surprised with you living in Wisconsin that you do not routinely mix #1 (kerosene) in with your #2 (normal diesel fuel) when it will be below 12 degrees F or so. That is the overwhelming common practice in northern states. A relevant note is that in some places you can depend on your fuel source treating the fuel in cold months. I would never depend on that myself unless I knew with absolute certainty it was being treated reliably and consistently. That's not easy to do.

Service stations eventually switch over to a winter blend. Years ago they just went from #2 to #1. Back then the advice I got from a friend who drove long haul and the dealer was to use Power Service. The mix that boosts cetane and reduces the chance of jelling. I also have been using a better quality filter specifically designed to not only filter out particulates but also water. So far, over 24 years have never have had any fuel related issues. Fuel filter replacement schedule hours were more than doubled and when I look at the bowl and filter I think maybe even longer use. But then.... I smarten up a bit.

 

[tjstractors]

all my fillups are with a

AF3CB Fuel Filter,Black​

https://www.amazon.com/Mr-Funnel-AF3CB-Fuel-Filter/dp/B000SOIRCG?th=1​

I use this same filter when filling up and change the tractor inline filters in about 1/2 the recommended time. Had issues once with contamination and the work required to clean it up is worth avoiding.

 

[NH TC25D]

I use this same filter when filling up and change the tractor inline filters in about 1/2 the recommended time. Had issues once with contamination and the work required to clean it up is worth avoiding.

Looks similar to the filter I've been using since day one of owning the NH. Will continue to use with the SCUT.

 

[mark in portugal]

The engine is designed to run an a grade of fuel that is the same as is sold as fuel; so unless you have some particular need (low temperature for instance) I don't see the point in throwing more money into the tank.

My cars are 25 and 27 years old, my tractor is 40 years old, and they just keep on going without additives or synthetic oil.
Every diesel engine has a water separator and filter adequate for it's injection system.

In my opinion, fuel additives and synthetic oil are placebo engineering.

 

[NH TC25D]

BX has a couple inline fuel filters. One is a pita to access. Design is minimalist. The NH has a fuel filter housing and valve system to view any particulates and the filter. Easy access and easy change. More than doubled the hours over recommended fuel filter change. Even then the filter looks fine and zilch for particulate. Hope is the BX filter life can be extended like on the NH. The above noted filter more than paid for itself in less fuel filters need over the almost 25 years of use.

One issue we have is cold winters. Night time temps can drop below 0F/~-18C. Winter and the blended diesel supposedly doesn't jell at those temps, but the cetane rating is lower than summer diesel. Never have run the tractors without. So unsure if the lower cetane of winter fuel is an issue. PowerService isn't very expensive. Available most places for less than $40usd for 250 gallons of diesel.