Diesel Heads..What Fuel Additive?

[FishinHatteras]

Hello fellow diesel heads..Having just gotten my new-to-me diesel...Just out of curiosity, what diesel fuel additive are you using? I bought some Diesel Kleen, but have been told by an old fishing buddy that Diesel Mechanic In A Bottle is top notch stuff. It's available thru Tractor Supply, Home Depot & Amazon. My local HD doesn't keep it in stock, daggonnit. It's much cheaper than the Lucas additive, and treats more fuel per ounce. Anyone else use this item? I have not tried it, but I am headed over to the other side of Raleigh tomorrow near the TS store, and will pick some up.
What say y'all?
Thanks,
Gavin

Link: Diesel Mechanic In A Bottle | B3C Fuel Solutions

[Ted S.]

I use Opti-Lube

https://opti-lube.com/

The performance of my truck is greatly improved with it, its expensive and you have to order online, however.

I have heard good things about Diesel Kleen and it is 1/3 the price.

[KJRitchie]

I'd read the diesel supplement for your Duramax to see if any supplement is approved.

Kelvin

[crispyboy]

I use Stanadyne. Engine is quieter when first started, lubricity for the fuel pump and injectors, cetane booster, a little less soot for the dpf.

[Howard L.]

Originally Posted by crispyboy

I use Stanadyne. Engine is quieter when first started, lubricity for the fuel pump and injectors, cetane booster, a little less soot for the dpf.

Stanadyne is in the diesel pump and injector building business. They should know if anybody does. Lubricity formula is the most important--especially for the older engines since they do not have the hardened valves and seats. The performance formula is for an octane boost. I mix one part Performance to 4 parts Lubricity--4 oz of that per 25 gal of diesel. Newer engines state: do not need additives. I've paid to rebuild diesels and I don't want to again. Lubricity will hurt nothing. Cost very minimal.

[NOAZRK2690]

BG Diesel Fuel Additive and also the BG Oil Additive have been working fine in my 7.3 L Ford. The electric fuel pump went out at about 105,000 miles even with using the fuel formula from time to time. Recognizing the way your motor acts during the first sign of a fuel pump failure is kind of important especially if you're towing along a road with limited pull over areas. ~A

[Ted S.]

Originally Posted by NOAZRK2690

BG DieselRecognizing the way your motor acts during the first sign of a fuel pump failure is kind of important especially if you're towing along a road with limited pull over areas. ~A

So what can you tell us on how to know it is going down? I drive a 6.0 Powerstroke by the way, so obviously I have my concerns.

[tjdonahoe]

You do not need a fuel additive, my big cat never has had any with 1.4 million miles with original injectors and pump and turbo, head never been off, I don't put anything in my dodge either....if it needed an additive the book would tell you...save your money and buy Bud lite and enjoy......

[16595]

The place (dealer) where I bought my Duramax wanted to sell me additives.

I declined but now am using Howes Diesel Treat. Lubricity and cetane boost. It increases mpg a bit and probably pays for itself.

Dwight

[Norm States]

I managed a fleet of diesel buses for a school for 8 years and we never added anything to the fuel. You are wasting good money. Always purchase high quality clean that has a good cetane. Check the companies for their rating. Usually Flying J and BP has a rating just a little better than most others. Purchase fuel where they pump a high volume as condensation is suspended in diesel fuel.

[nrgtrakr]

No diesel (or gas) additives for me thanks.

[amtruckn1]

Caterpillar with over 1 million miles and only use algaecide occasionally as a preventative. Have also started engine cold at -20 F with no problem but it was borderline for good fuel delivery at road speed until fuel warmed up due to recirculation. I wish I had some of that money that is wasted the multitude of snake oil additives.

[streamintrip]

Well, as a 'Big Truck' driver with over 3,000,000 miles (currently with a 2014 KW T660, Cummins ISX 15, 600 hp, 1,950 #/' torque, I, and MANY others, use Power Service Diesel Kleen (silver bottle) on a regular basis in the warmer months switching to the white bottle anti-gel formula in the winter with Clear Diesel tank cleaner (also a white bottle) every couple of months. You won't need as much as I do with 150 gal tanks, BUT it works for me! This product has Cetane Boost and Slick Diesel additives.

One of the previous posts suggests consulting your Owner's Manual, which is a good idea, but Cummins motors work well with these additives, in my limited experience.

With regard to cold starting on the road with no APU (no 4-wheeler would have one) or block heater plugged in, I would NOT want to be without an Anti-Gel in my tanks.

[Punch]

A couple of years ago I had to have my 200,000 mile 2001 Duramax injectors replaced, since at idle I kept hearing foghorns sounding...... the excellent mechanic who did the job, near St.Helen's, Oregon, told me that if I had been using a cetane booster from day one, I more than likely would not have needed the injectors replaced. He recommended Opti-Lube, at one half the recommended dose. On my trip back up here I was towing a 3000lb trailer with a 14,000lb digger on it, and I initially forgot to add any booster. I was disappointed with the performance from the engine and the 11 mpg that I was getting, although admittedly it was a heavy load to pull. When I stopped for diesel at Boardman on the Columbia Gorge, I remembered to put the additive in my tank. Within 10 miles on the new tank, it felt as if I had an extra gear. I was easily able to get 10mph extra, traveling near the speed limit for the rest of my long haul, with remarkably improved acceleration and also, best of all, got 14 mpg even though driving faster. I have added the booster to every single tank since then. The Opti-Lube does check out as a genuine cetane booster, and the additional cost per gallon is really negligible.

[handn]

Originally Posted by crispyboy

I use Stanadyne. Engine is quieter when first started, lubricity for the fuel pump and injectors, cetane booster, a little less soot for the dpf.

And about 1 mpg better mileage.

[tjdonahoe]

Originally Posted by jrolls

Well, as a 'Big Truck' driver with over 3,000,000 miles (currently with a 2014 KW T660, Cummins ISX 15, 600 hp, 1,950 #/' torque, I, and MANY others, use Power Service Diesel Kleen (silver bottle) on a regular basis in the warmer months switching to the white bottle anti-gel formula in the winter with Clear Diesel tank cleaner (also a white bottle) every couple of months. You won't need as much as I do with 150 gal tanks, BUT it works for me! This product has Cetane Boost and Slick Diesel additives.

One of the previous posts suggests consulting your Owner's Manual, which is a good idea, but Cummins motors work well with these additives, in my limited experience.

With regard to cold starting on the road with no APU (no 4-wheeler would have one) or block heater plugged in, I would NOT want to be without an Anti-Gel in my tanks.

what I said was I have 1.4 million on my cat with original injectors and the head never been off, never any additives, use blended fuel in the winter, no problems.....

[Punch]

Originally Posted by tjdonahoe

You do not need a fuel additive, my big cat never has had any with 1.4 million miles with original injectors and pump and turbo, head never been off, I don't put anything in my dodge either....if it needed an additive the book would tell you...save your money and buy Bud lite and enjoy......

TJ.... the guy who replaced my Duramax injectors, and who is a diesel specialist with a great reputation in the St. Helens and Longview area, made the point to me that it is pre-2006 non-commercial diesels that were not designed to use the ultra-low sulfur diesel now found universally. He did say that the benefit to a newer diesel was an increase in performance and potentially economy which would more than pay for adding the Opti-Lube or similar. The earlier engines really need the extra lubrication to be found in the additive, which was unnecessary with the higher sulfur fuel available when they were designed and built.

[Lance M]

This is kind of like "What's your favorite adult beverage?" or "what's the best tire?"

I have used Opti-Lube XPD in my 2014 RAM EcoDiesel. I couldn't determine any improvement in power or fuel consumption. I also saw no improvement in distance between DPF regens. I do like the warm and fuzzy feel good I get inside knowing that the fuel's lubricity is improved. However, I live in the part of Texas (Low Emission Diesel) that requires fuels to have at least 5% biodiesel and a minimum cetane rating of 48. From what I've read, biodiesel is the best for lubricity.

My current strategy is to use high quality diesel that has at least 5% biodiesel.

I like it when it looks like this-


Yeah, I know. Pics are sideways. Turn your head

This is what ULSD looks like without biodiesel blend.

[Tater]

I follow my Duramax manual and no additives.

[kidjedi]

I get a 6 pack of 80oz. Power Service winter formula (the Diesel Kleen guys) from Amazon for $80 and use it year round. I also try to get fuel from places that advertise a bio-blend.