fuel additives

[kipandbob]

Greetings again,

I trust this is the correct forum for this topic.

A friend sent me a link discussing the technical aspects of additives in ULSD. Apparently there's some potential for fuel pump/injector damage if a diesel engine is operated without a lubricating additive.

Is this common knowledge? Do you folks regularly use an additive in your fuel? What're your opinions? Has any of you used Opti-Lube XPD? Some additives claim to increase mileage a bit. Any experience here?

In case this may be new info to any of you, here's the link:
http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/sho...d.php?t=177728

Thanks again,
-Bob

[Sierra 117]

Dodge recommends that fuel additives not be used for Diesel engines designed for Ultra low sulphur fuel. At least it does in my 09 operators manual.

[Slufoot733]

When I took possession of my 2008 Ford F-350 I was told I absolutely must use the Ford Diesel Fuel additive every time I fill up. One bottle treats five tanks full of fuel. I was told that Ford requires this and if the engine fails due to a lack of fuel additive usage it could void the warranty. So, I use it as prescribed

[PatnRich]

I just took delivery of my 2011 F350 Superduty 6.7 diesel. The service manager said to add cetane boost to every tank of fuel.
We just came back from the Newburgh NY area (400 miles round trip) and got 11.4 MPG based on the onboard computer. I wiil continue with the boost as recommended.

[mail2us]

I don't believe any additives are needed or required for GM types. It would be a personal choice.

[mlh]

Slufoot733
On page 37 of your Power Stroke Owners Guide Supplement it says
" It should not be necessary to add any aftermarket additives to your fuel,,,,,"
Lynwood

[bob n pam]

We add cetane with every tank per the Ford dealer.

[camper4]

I don't do additives very often. About every 20,000 I put in a bottle of diesel injector cleaner.
I believe the modern diesel fuel has all other needed stuff to go.

[bigmurf]

I guess it's time to beat this horse again.gg

[washley1]

I also started using cetane booster to keep the exhaust regen from happening every 50 miles. Ford's solution says use 4 oz for every 25 gallons. If I only use 4 oz, i don't get much relief. 8 oz does better. In fact, when on the road and away from any Ford dealers I picked some other brand in a Wal Mart and it directed me to use 8oz rather than 4 and I got a better result. Once my current supply of Ford stuff runs out I may go back to Wal Mart...if I can remember which one I bought there!!

[clutch]

On my 98 dodge I used two stroke oil with each fill up (12 oz). With the current truck with the 6.7 engine I don't use anything because I don't want the DPF to plug up.

[kipandbob]

Thanks to all who responded. I asked the Ford service manager where my truck is about fuel additives. He said they carry a cetane booster and a lubricity enhancer but didn't say Ford recommends either. Go figure...

One of you mentioned frequent regens. I had some warranty work done on the tranny a few months back. I don't know what else was touched but I haven't seen a single regen since. I;ve been assuming this is a good thing.

-Bob

[mlh]

Bob
They prob ally reprogrammed your truck. If the exhaust pipe tips aren't black its going through regen and you just don't know it. If they are black the dpf is broke. If the exhaust isn't black and its not going through regen it would be running real rough about now, like the exhaust is getting stooped up.
Lynwood

[Slufoot733]

About a year after receiving my 2008 F-350 I had it in for service. The service manager mentioned that mine was a very early '08 and that there was an update for the computer which he recommended. It was covered so I said do it. After the update I noticed a marked difference, for the better, in the cruise control function and new messages on the information center in the dash. Now, when my truck enters the regen process I get a message on the instrument panel stating "CLEANING DIESEL FILTER". On a 400 mile trip I saw this three times. I can also tell when it starts as the engine/exhaust sounds change. Performance seems about the same at 55 to 60 mph. I do notice it makes my mpg drop by about 1/2 mpg which sucks.

[richfaa]

Ford in the 08 diesel manual does not recommend that cetane booster or lubricity enhancer be used nor that it should not. Both Ford dealerships that service our truck recommended that we do use it so we do.The new motors run best with a cetane rating of 45 and very few diesel fuels are over 40.

[8e3k0]

We use the additive mainly to insure that the cetane numbers are up, as we never know from area to area and refrinery to refinery what quality and spec diesel is produced at. As for the need of increased lubricating quality diesel fuel within itself is a quality lubricator so I feel that additional additives for lubricity are not needed.

[firetrucker]

On the big rig, which has a '99 Cummins M11, I put a gallon of biodiesel in with each tank of fuel, which is about a 1 to 1.5% mix. That increases the lubricity and, potentially, the mpg, but I don't know about the cetane number.

Bob

[richfaa]

I have heard and read about adding bio diesel to the ULSD. Ford says that 5% biodiesel is acceptable. I do not know enough about it adding to the centane numbers and that is important in the new diesels. IF there was a source of bio diesel around here I would try it out.

[cbgaloot]

I drive a 2004 Ford. Built before low sulfur diesel. So I used Stanadyne Lubricity Formula in every tank. I also use Stanadyne Performance because it seems to run smoother and according to the MPG meter it gets about a quarter mile per gallon better mileage.

I would definitely recommend anyone who drives a diesel built befoe low sulfur diesel to add some sort of lubricity additive. Lucas is good and available at about any wally world. Or you can find it by the gallon cheaper at some parts stores.

Some of my truck buddies say a good ashless 2 stroke oil is just as good.

[herewegotogether]

When I had our 2005 in for a reflash I asked the diesel tech about additives. He said none are needed, however strict fuel filter maintenance should be adhered to at the recommended entervals. He said every 15000 miles change both fuel filters no exceptions.