Favorite brands of diesel treatment.

Topic: Favorite brands of diesel treatment. (Read 1352 times) previous topic - next topic

Favorite brands of diesel treatment.

July 15, 2014, 08:04:01 am

Good Morning Folks!
Question: I have operated diesel engines and equipment since I was a kid, I have lots of experience with the care and feeding of a diesel engine. I have tried many different brands of fuel treatment and conditioners. I favored Howes brand for years; lately I don't think its doing the job it once did. I have heard of a product; XP3 and found a few videos on YouTube of it being used in a 3208 powered '86 Grand Villa. The claims are fantastic; of course they always are on new products. Does anybody have any experience with XP3? or what are some of the favored products being used by forum members. Thanks!

Re: Favorite brands of diesel treatment.

Reply #1 – July 15, 2014, 08:20:12 am

There are a number of threads on this subject in Tech Talk, search the forum for additives. Here is a post with links to a number of them

Oil and fuel additives

The most comprehensive study is here Lubricity Additive Study Results - Diesel Place : Chevrolet and GMC Diesel Truck

Re: Favorite brands of diesel treatment.

Reply #2 – July 15, 2014, 09:15:46 am

Lucas or Power Service to add a degree of lube for upper cylinder... injectors/ absent in the low sulphur fuel... If a person added enough additive to make bad fuel good fuel it wouldn't be cost effective at least in the trucking business as I am... having but 1 motor home not as costly.

Re: Favorite brands of diesel treatment.

Reply #3 – July 15, 2014, 09:55:41 am

Amsoil ,again
JohnH

Re: Favorite brands of diesel treatment.

Reply #4 – July 15, 2014, 09:57:37 am

X 3

Re: Favorite brands of diesel treatment.

Reply #5 – July 15, 2014, 10:04:15 am

Power Service Diesel Kleen (gray bottle), bought from Walmart, added every fuel fill for over 10 years.

Re: Favorite brands of diesel treatment.

Reply #6 – July 15, 2014, 10:54:09 am

I buy Lucas (4 Gal/Case) from Amazon, and I am real happy with it. Been using it for 5 years now.

Cheers,
Chuck

Re: Favorite brands of diesel treatment.

Reply #7 – July 15, 2014, 11:07:28 am

I use diesel kleen and a quart of ATF every 100 gal. or there about. Seems to be doing well, engine runs quietly and doesn't smoke enough to cause concern (what seems normal to me). Have a great day ---- Fritz

Re: Favorite brands of diesel treatment.

Reply #8 – July 15, 2014, 11:27:07 am

Started using Diesel Kleen about a month ago. Saw an immidate increase in fuel economy a1.5 mpg increase, no more black smoke, starting both engine and genset has been better.

Have continued the use on the last three fills, the increase in mpg still there. Love that stuff.

Currently located in Morgan Hill, CA

Norm

Re: Favorite brands of diesel treatment.

Reply #9 – July 15, 2014, 03:35:05 pm

This is what I use:
http://www.valvtect.com/BioGuardPlus6.asp
I started using this product 5 years ago as I don't put much mileage on Forrest any more. It has improved the fuel efficiency from an average of 8.2 mpg overall to approximately 8.8 mpg. That's about a 7% improvement. Really very good!

Re: Favorite brands of diesel treatment.

Reply #10 – July 15, 2014, 04:28:39 pm

Have to confess that I am too scared to use any of the high mpg or hp improvers, besides am too cheap to fix what does not need fixin.
I just keep good filters on the Foretravel and do not buy fuel from the low turn over wannabee fuel stations. More than a few have gotten educated buying from the cheap stations that sell a low volume.
For an example we never change fuel filters on our service trucks up to 100,000 miles, never an issue with fuel.
As usual do what your happy with, I am happy buying good fuel.

Re: Favorite brands of diesel treatment.

Reply #11 – July 15, 2014, 04:38:38 pm

Quote from: Dave M – July 15, 2014, 04:28:39 pm

I just keep good filters on the Foretravel and do not buy fuel from the low turn over wannabee fuel stations.

+1

The only "additive" we use is a biocide if the coach is going to be sitting for a couple of months (and we always make sure the tank is as full as possible with fuel from a high-customer-volume station in that situation).

Re: Favorite brands of diesel treatment.

Reply #12 – July 15, 2014, 10:51:30 pm

I'm not so sure that it is a good fuel vs cheap fuel issue. The issue for me is the low lubricity of the newer low sulpher diesel. I add the ATF to add the lubricity back into the fuel. Is it necessary?? I guess that only time and miles will determine that. In the meantime I feel more comfortable with the quieter engine and less smoke. The ATF also burns hotter and aids in keeping the injectors cleaner. As previously stated, do what you feel comfortable with and have a great day. ---- Fritz

Re: Favorite brands of diesel treatment.

Reply #13 – July 15, 2014, 11:19:55 pm

I use Power Service.. 20 years with trucks, some winters running to Presque Isle ME. Never once a water/jelling issue. Good fuel is money in the bank as well..

Re: Favorite brands of diesel treatment.

Reply #14 – July 16, 2014, 04:09:43 am

Oh yes, fuel jelling is a different matter, I prefer kerosene 5% to 10% max if not available, will use one of the additives, having fuel jelled at 18f was not a fun sperience, (but was worth it as I charged the local fuel company where we buy 99.9% of all our fuel) good & proper for fixing their jelled 300 kw generator. Don't get mad, just get evan.

Re: Favorite brands of diesel treatment.

Reply #15 – July 16, 2014, 06:25:56 am

Quote from: Michelle – July 15, 2014, 08:20:12 am

There are a number of threads on this subject in Tech Talk, search the forum for additives. Here is a post with links to a number of them

Oil and fuel additives

The most comprehensive study is here Lubricity Additive Study Results - Diesel Place : Chevrolet and GMC Diesel Truck

Looks like Opti lube summer blend. The half a gallon of Lucas I just added to our pride and joy may have actually reduced lubricity

Amazing!!! Hopefully it will work as a fuel injector cleaner still...

Re: Favorite brands of diesel treatment.

Reply #16 – July 16, 2014, 06:35:00 am

I will usually add in the winter either optilube or Howes. I spend too much time in Texas then driver north where the tempos can be zero or there abouts. I added some last spring when going into Montana and WY from Iowa. Tempos went from 70 to 17 that day.

Re: Favorite brands of diesel treatment.

Reply #17 – July 16, 2014, 08:03:11 am

Coach stays in warm parts of country...

Re: Favorite brands of diesel treatment.

Reply #18 – July 16, 2014, 09:21:42 am

There is a chart out there that rates the lubricity (sp?) of various treatments, including the ATF trick. I found it interesting because I am so ignorant of all this. andy1

Re: Favorite brands of diesel treatment.

Reply #19 – July 16, 2014, 10:00:19 am

As Michelle referenced, this topic covered in detail but seems a nagging question or concern as it returns often. As Cummins told me to not add for injectors/lubricity, I seldom do but time to time use the Power Service for injectors. As per the chart, some things worse than nothing!

I do add for algae prevention but not often per the strategy of leave full tank. Cummins did say this additive could be helpful in some situations. I got similar advice from techs at FT sellers

It may be for other model engines my method not the best and I have very limited experience so rely mostly on Cummins and experiences of forum and the chart

mike

Re: Favorite brands of diesel treatment.

Reply #20 – July 16, 2014, 10:43:19 am

Opti-Lube for me. I am not seeing any mpg increases but it makes me feel like I am doing something good for my 8.3.

Re: Favorite brands of diesel treatment.

Reply #21 – July 16, 2014, 05:47:10 pm

The ashless 2cyl. Oil looks good in the review.

Re: Favorite brands of diesel treatment.

Reply #22 – July 19, 2014, 12:08:13 pm

I use Dee-Zol Concentrate Diesel Treatment from Bell Perfomance (Fuel Additives | Diesel Additives | Oil Additives | Bell Performance)
Have used it since I got my Foretravel. The also sell biocides and other products, including Bio Dee-Zol Treatment For Biodiesel, if you have to use Biodiesel.
Eric

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