Diesel Fuel Conditioner

[Montana Sky]

Well here it comes again, back to the ULSD fuel debate.

I was at the Chevy shop today having a balance check done on my injectors and brought up the new ULSD fuel to the 2 diesel mechanics. I wanted to know what GM's stand was. At the moment GM is "Recommending" using a Diesel Fuel Conditioner until the effects of the new fuel can be determined. The cost of this is $8 a bottle. Buying a case brings the price down to $6 a bottle. I figured I would give the conditioner a try as I already know my truck does not like the new ULSD fuel. It does not seem to matter who you talk to or where they work. They all have a different answer. I figured it was cheaper to try a case of this than buying a new diesel motor or truck.


"Gm fuel conditioner is a concentrated product formulated to increase centane rating 2-6 numbers, resulting in reduced engine knock, improved low temperature starting, smoother idling, shortened warm-up time and reduced emissions. Remove fuel system deposits. Improve fuel economy. Provide excellent corrosion protection. Enhance fuel stability in storage. Provide exceptional fuel lubricity for reducing fuel pump and injector wear. Improve cold temperature flow and reduce cold temperature filter plugging."

[snfexpress]

Dave,

I use it too. Until things shake out, I will put in every tank that is ULSD.

[ols1932]

I've used Lucas Fuel Treatment for years. I've never had an injector problem or fuel problems. I usually buy it by the gallon at truck stops and use 3 oz/10 gal diesel fuel. See http://www.lucasoil.com/products/dis...tid=2&loc=show

Orv

[Cat320]

GM is really not much help. I talked to two service managers on Tues in preparation for a long trip. Bottom line was they were not really sure about much of anything. Both were very vague about additives and made no recommendations, either way; neither knew the oil GM puts in at the factory; they did know what they use in their own shop (Rotella 15w40); and it did not give me much confidence when I told one I had the LBZ engine, he said, "Which one is that?"

[Countryfolks]

Montana Sky;

Sounds like Diesel Kleen, which I've used since the truck was new.

Skip

[richfaa]

That stuff is pretty expensive.When you add that to the diesel fuel is that not like increaseing the price per gal of fuel.Makes a gal of diesel kind of expensive does it not???

[Clyde n Deb]

Stanadyne. Pretty much universally recognized as top notch in the diesel arena. Just bought 12 bottles @ CW, $3.96 per. 1 16oz. bottle treats 60 gallons fuel.

[BigAl52]

Montana Sky how many gallons will that 6.00 bottle treat? Al

[Montana Sky]

BigAl52,
30 gallons per 11oz bottle.

Rich,
Your right adds $6 per tank. Not happy, but still cheaper than buying a big block V-8 truck to tow all the trailers I have.

Clyde n Deb,
I have a call into GM about approval for Stanadyne. Had a few other folks recommend it as well.

Skip,
Where do you pick up Diesel Kleen??

Bert,
I got the same run around from dealerships, truck stops, fuel depots and so on... Still looking for answers.

The new ULSD fuel is not causing a problem with injectors, it is a lubrication issue. Changing the fuel filter every 10,000 miles with proper filters will help keep injectors clean. We have been running the LSD fuel (500ppm) for many years now, it is the new fuel that is causing the concern. I had the balance checked on my injectors as a precaution more than anything else. GM has a 100,000 mile warranty on them and I am coming up on 68,000 miles. Replacing all 8 of them would cost in the ball park of $6,000, would rather have GM cover that bill than me. Dealership charged me $30 to check balance and the rest of the fuel system as well as checking the lifters. I thought I heard a slight knock, probably louder now that I am running the new fuel again. Truck is running great, just something I wanted to do as a precaution.

[Fordzilla]

Not much different on the blue oval side. My dealer recommends an additive as well. It's about the same $/bottle, but it treats 3 fill-ups in my 38 gallon tank. I buy it by the case and use it in every fill-up. I only got 12k on the truck so far and plan to replace the fuel filter here before winter. I am going to ask for it back or to have one of the techs cut it open and see what we find inside.

[richfaa]

We saw no problems using the ULSD in our Schools busses.We do use a additive. I find a bottle on my seat about once a week.
We had given no thought about the added cost of additives, that all factors in to the cost of operation and a factor to consider when comparing Gas VS Diesel in the near future.The cost to operate gap is closing Gas VS Diesel although there are many other factors to consider in the advantages Gas VS diesel.Today ..Here..Gas 2.199 ULSD Diesel 2. 699. That 6.00 per tank in the short bed tank adds @ .20 cents per gal to the cost of fuel alone..We are always crunching the numbers for amaybe purchase of a 08 My diesel???

[Countryfolks]

Montana Sky;

I've found Diesel Kleen at WM, and various farm stores. It's about $13-14 for a large bottle [96 oz] that treats up to 300 gals. I use approximately 4 oz/12 gal. which is the minimum recommended [I think].

Skip

[Mac]

Sky,

Let us know what GM tells you. I'm so confused and my truck isn't even delivered yet.

mac

[JimF]

Gee whiz, maybe I am missing something, I have never used an additive on my old Cumming and it just keeps on trucking along. I have talked to several mechanics and additive has never come up, am I missing something here. Of course I only have about 90,000 on it.

2001 Dodge 5.9
3400 RL

[dsprik]

Jim, it's the new ULSD mandated for Jan 1? 2007 that we are all concerned about. Lot's of people getting confused data at best from Ford/GM/Dodge...

Dave, I have been buying Diesel Kleen from Walmart.

[JimF]

I have been running the new fuel and haven't really had any problem, of course I only run it when nothing else is available... is this something to be concerned about?? I personally haven't seen anything on it.

[Montana Sky]

Jim,
That is part of the problem, the new fuel is not going to show any effects (positive or negative) until many miles down the road. The main concern with the new fuel is what preventative maintenance steps do diesel owners need to take to keep our trucks running for many miles?

[Trailer Trash 2]

I find it interesting that the fuel companies and the manufactures wont give a exact answer to the effects of LSDF on our diesel engins old or new, then we will have ULSDF which is probably faze 2 the diesel fuels, to reduce all of the polution we are supose to be putting in the air from our diesels. the fuel companies love us all so much, that they recomend the aditive untill the see the results of the new fuel on our engins. where can I get some of the red stuff??

[richfaa]

We were advised at one of the Diesel seminars we attended for our school busses that (at that time) the refineries were not adding the lubricating additive to the new diesel fuel because of the cost of refining and the various jobbers/ supplies would add the lubricant. Since then we have been told..no the oil companies are adding the lubricant..so confusion runs rampant. As I stated I find a bottle of additive in my bus about once a week which we are told to add. I do not have a diesel Tv but if I did I would do the additive till I found out what the *&^%%# was going on.. for sure. Oh at our local camping group meeting last night this subject came up and all of the diesel owners are using the additive and they have all noted a decline in MPG with the new fuel?????

[CmdrDewey]

I have used Power Service for several years. My dealer runs about 100 Fuel Oil delivery trucks and he recommended it. Also most of the loggers around here use it in their trucks and in their skidders. We also use it in all our fire trucks. It costs about $15.00 a gallon and I use 8 oz for about 30 gallons. Works out to about $.06 per gallon. I have noticed no difference with the ULS fuel