Use of Cetane in fuel

Newby first timer · Mar 29, 2018

OK
I just did my walk threw on my new MX5800
I have used added Cetane in every Diesel engine I have owned since 2003 (first diesel)

I had an Injector foul on me in a welding machine and I found the Stanadyne injection cleaner and it fixed the problem with in a couple of tanks of fuel

does anyone know or use an added Cetane in their Kubota tractors

My tractor is being delivered tomorrow and I would like to start it out right and not screw it up
Commyfornia probably has the worst fuel in the country.

Any advice from guys that know.
Thanks

Gator6x4 · Mar 29, 2018

I use 2 ounces of Power Service per five gallons of fuel and 4 ounces of Marvel Mystery Oil.

boomer1025 · Mar 29, 2018

I use Amsoil Cetane additive in my NH

rkidd · Mar 29, 2018

Newby first timer said:
OK
I just did my walk threw on my new MX5800
I have used added Cetane in every Diesel engine I have owned since 2003 (first diesel)

I had an Injector foul on me in a welding machine and I found the Stanadyne injection cleaner and it fixed the problem with in a couple of tanks of fuel

does anyone know or use an added Cetane in their Kubota tractors

My tractor is being delivered tomorrow and I would like to start it out right and not screw it up
Commyfornia probably has the worst fuel in the country.

Any advice from guys that know.
Thanks

My Kubota dealer gave me a couple of bottles of Stanadyne with cetane when I bought my B2650 new in 2015. I have used it since then with zero fuel problems in 800 hrs.

flingwing1969 · Mar 29, 2018

Gator6x4 said:
I use 2 ounces of Power Service per five gallons of fuel and 4 ounces of Marvel Mystery Oil.

Interesting - I use the Power Service in all my diesels didn't think of adding the Mystery Oil though. How's that working for you - of course, if it isn't causing a problem there's probably nothing to see.

Tractor Seabee · Mar 30, 2018

I don't hear much about Mystery Oil anymore. It was real popular back in the 40s thru 60s and was stocked everywhere.

My FIL was a master mechanic and engine rebuilder. He swore by Marvel Mystery Oil. He used it and recommended it for everything including all surfaces when rebuilding. He was in a farming area and rebuilt a lot of diesels for farmers. As he got older he kept trying to quit and they kept him on by always raising his salary. At 80 he finally walked out one day. The shop/parts dealer stopped rebuilding when he quit and the owner retired 2 years later. All the old farmers in the area still talk about him, they were always willing to wait for him instead of the other two mechanics. They sold Mystery Oil by the 55 GL barrel to the farmers with big fleets, they always had barrels, 5GL cans as well as the smaller sizes in stock. The shop tried selling factory rebuild engines but had too many failures; so, stayed with the old man. The story is he never had a failure or comeback.

Ron

oosik · Mar 30, 2018

I use Power Service in my diesel fuel to prevent jelling.

Gator6x4 · Mar 30, 2018

flingwing1969 said:
Interesting - I use the Power Service in all my diesels didn't think of adding the Mystery Oil though. How's that working for you - of course, if it isn't causing a problem there's probably nothing to see.

Been working for years no problems. When they started with the new Diesel Fuel I started adding the Marvel Mystery Oil to provide lubrication.

dodge man · Mar 30, 2018

I add nothing to my diesel. My opinion is they are generally a waste of money. A modern diesel just doesn't need any additives. I do add Howes in the winter to help with gelling but even this let me down last winter.

People will always say I have been adding xxxxx for years with no problems. They probably wouldn't have problems if they didn't add anything.

JOHNTHOMAS · Mar 30, 2018

I add Power Service in silver bottle now, when I remember to do it. Was using in the white bottle but in ky we don't usually have extreme cold weather except one time we did and I had not put the white bottle power service in my RTV1100 Kubota diesel and it froze up and wouldn't start. I had a bit of Power Service in a white bottle, poured it in tank and in a few minutes tried starting engine, it started and ran. Of course someone could always say it would have probably started anyway and no way to ever prove it wouldn't have. I add Power Service in silver bottle now to all Kubota diesels, when I remember to do it. Have no idea if it does anything. I know engine tolerances and metal and lubrications have vastly improved since the 60s when I didn't add Motor Honey and every paid race driver did.
I have trouble believing something in a bottle can make a difference but there are adhesives now that will stick two trains together so what do I know. Synthetic oil, oh yeah that's better....Specific oil for diesels , sure. Lots of smart guys here and sometimes one or two of them will post an opinion and sometimes none of them respond.:laughing::laughing::laughing:

Paystar · Mar 30, 2018

I used to run Power Service in all my stuff, big trucks included. Then one time with my Powerstroke pickup I had issues in Indiana. Stopped at a Ford dealer and they said I had two injectors gone but they couldn't fix it. Said I could make it home but with it running rough and poor fuel mileage.
So (can't remember how I ended up with it?) I had a bottle of Howes. Dumped some in, drove for 10 minutes on the freeway and the injectors unstuck and the engine lights went out. So that sold me on Howes.

But whatever you choose to use in these new engines....make sure it is safe for your DPF or you will be in for a big bill.

BubbaJr · Mar 30, 2018

If you keep your tractor in a heated barn, is there any advantage to using additives?

Joe

Fallon · Mar 30, 2018

oosik said:
I use Power Service in my diesel fuel to prevent jelling.

Same. White bottle. It boosts Cetane & lubes too I think, but dump it I'm my 300 gallon tank when it's filled every year or 2 for the gelling aspect.

Fallon · Mar 30, 2018

BubbaJr said:
If you keep your tractor in a heated barn, is there any advantage to using additives?

Joe

Ya, when you drive it out of the unheated barn... the tank cools off to at or near ambient tempature.

BubbaJr · Mar 31, 2018

Fallon said:
Ya, when you drive it out of the unheated barn... the tank cools off to at or near ambient tempature.

But with the fuel tank over the engine, it doesn't take long for it to heat up. I got my first Kubota in 2001, it was stored outdoors (also in the winter) until we moved to the new house and put the tractor in the barn. I never had a fuel jell issue in all that time. I never had an issue with the injectors either. I don't doubt that some of you had issues, I'm just saying that I never had any fuel issues.

Joe

Fallon · Mar 31, 2018

BubbaJr said:
But with the fuel tank over the engine, it doesn't take long for it to heat up. I got my first Kubota in 2001, it was stored outdoors (also in the winter) until we moved to the new house and put the tractor in the barn. I never had a fuel jell issue in all that time. I never had an issue with the injectors either. I don't doubt that some of you had issues, I'm just saying that I never had any fuel issues.

Joe

The fuel tank on my old L3200 was like that. On my new L4060 it's between the cab & transmission. Ya they heat up but not as much as the engine. Even worse for truck fuel tanks. Not to mention what happens if you shut down or break down. Might not get going again if you are down for long.

diesel85 · Mar 31, 2018

I was recommended by my dealer to use very small amounts of Power Service. For my tractor, a bottle will last a little over 1 year. Never had any issues, engine runs nice and clean.

grsthegreat · Mar 31, 2018

Weird... i have 4 diesel engines dating back to 1994. I dont use diesel additives. I have never had any gelling. Up here in north idaho they use winter blend diesel. Maybe thats why i have no issues. My 2004 f350 did have an occasional issue with 1 fuel injector, and since i use this truck to haul horses i elected to replace injector instead of messing with trying to clean it. We had a long trip coming up and i didnt want to risk it.

Other than that, no problems. I remember buying a bottle of power service after reading alot of posts about the need to use it....but as usual i never did use it and its still on my shelf. My dodge has 320,000 miles on it ... original injectors, no fuel additives. The ford has 97,000.

ericm979 · Apr 1, 2018

If you're buying California fuel you're getting higher cetane. California mandates at least 53 while federal is 40. However according to this article, higher cetane doesn't affect performance or economy much:

Shop Class: The Past 5 Years of Auto Advances (the first article is about cetane)

FatTire · Apr 1, 2018

grsthegreat said:
Weird... i have 4 diesel engines dating back to 1994. I dont use diesel additives. I have never had any gelling. Up here in north idaho they use winter blend diesel. Maybe thats why i have no issues. My 2004 f350 did have an occasional issue with 1 fuel injector, and since i use this truck to haul horses i elected to replace injector instead of messing with trying to clean it. We had a long trip coming up and i didnt want to risk it.

Other than that, no problems. I remember buying a bottle of power service after reading alot of posts about the need to use it....but as usual i never did use it and its still on my shelf. My dodge has 320,000 miles on it ... original injectors, no fuel additives. The ford has 97,000.

What are your low temps during colder-than-average winters? One time we were filling our Ford and it was around -18F, and I discovered the winter blend was gelled in the hose at the fuel pump. We were pretty low on fuel and in a remote area, so we didn't have the option to just go to another station, so we moved around to the other side of the island to a pump whose hose was in the sun, which was not gelled. In situations like that I add some PS before pulling away.

Edit: My wife says -18F was the temp when we got to our destination, and was "minus 20 something" at the pump.