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Topic: Buying Fuel & Fuel Additives (Read 1169 times) previous topic - next topic

Buying Fuel & Fuel Additives

EDUCATION IS NEEDED HERE  :D

Now, Peter you said this is the place for me to come to learn and be taught -  ;) Here I am ready to learn  ??? ???

My question on fuel - I've read some post discussing different types of Diesel Fuel  :-[ - I did not know there were different types - NOR, do I know what type to use in my gal - '99 U320, 450 Cummins -

Additives - I met a fellow FTer who puts this stuff brand name Lucas in his fuel -

Please set me straight and on the narrow of what to use and not to???

With Great Humble Appreciation  ::) ;D ;)
Thank Y'all
Virginia Cunningham
Motorcader # 16992
'99 U320 40'
'06 Black Silverado 2500HD 4x4 Crew Cab

Re: Buying Fuel & Fuel Additives

Reply #1 –
Yes indeed.  This is a topic that will invite a lot of response, I'm sure.  The fact is that currently there are emissions regulations requiring certain limits for pollution control purposes as well as fuel mileage improvements.  The transition to and availability of fuels such as ULSD "ultra low sulfur diesel" and bio-deisel grades means that new diesel engine design will incorporate these new regulations.  Older engines were designed to use fuels with certain lubricity built into the fuel.  As I understand, the reduction of sulfur in the fuel reduces the amount of lubricity which can affect the valve train and other components of the combustion chamber in our engines.
 
Lucas is the premier fuel and oil additive supplier to the industry.  Some folks like to add their products in the fuel as well as the lubricants.  Others think this is throwing money away.  Diesel engine manufacturers do not or will not give us a concrete way to go and most will say that additives are not needed.
 
This is no help, I know.  However, all you have to do is Google the subject and you'll have 10,000 or more items to read.  I do not use any additives in on a regular basis.  In 7 years of ownership, I've used Lucas crankcase additive only once when the oil level was a couple quarts low.  Usually, it does not consume a drop of oil, but the one time I was out West and had driven hard grades for a month or so.
Peter & Beth Martin
No Forrest? What have you done?
MC# 15890 until Dec 2016; FMCA #F329677
Cincinnati, OH

Re: Buying Fuel & Fuel Additives

Reply #2 –

Quote
Additives - I met a fellow FTer who puts this stuff brand name Lucas in his fuel -

Please set me straight and on the narrow of what to use and not to???

James Triana told me some time back:
The drain plug is located at the bottom of the fuel tank and I would check once a year unless you add a fuel supplement and then I would check every 2 years. 
We use power service fuel supplement or dee-zol by bell lab.
Every three to four tank s of fuel.
Treat Ratio: 1 oz. to 10 gallons = 18 OZ in the tank?

The selected media item is not currently available.Barry BEAM #16014
2003 U320 40' AGDS
Beamalarm, Foretravel technical help and specifications
"Whatever the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve"

Re: Buying Fuel & Fuel Additives

Reply #3 –
Quote from: Barry Beam –
James Triana told me some time back:
The drain plug is located at the bottom of the fuel tank and I would check once a year unless you add a fuel supplement and then I would check every 2 years. 
We use power service fuel supplement or dee-zol by bell lab.
Every three to four tank s of fuel.
Barry,

Help me out here.  Did James Triana suggest we pull the plug out of the bottom of the fuel tank?  What happens to the fuel in the tank since it is not a good idea to use all of the fuel in the tank.  I must be missing something.
Treat Ratio: 1 oz. to 10 gallons = 18 OZ in the tank?


George Stoltz.  Retired from full-time living in a great Foretravel and now are back to living in a traditional sticks and bricks in Florida.

Re: Buying Fuel & Fuel Additives

Reply #4 –
We don't use additives very often.  If the coach is going to sit a while (like last summer, 5 months in rainy Maine or over the winter in storage) when we're worried about algae, etc., we use StarTron or PriD primarily as a biocide.  We add it before topping off, then make sure to run the engine, genset, and Aquahot to distribute the additive.

I will say that our '03 with the ISM 450 gets its best fuel economy with B20 biodiesel, followed by regular diesel (when we can find it), and the lowest with ULSD.  The downside with the biodiesel is that it drives fuel filter changes since it does a great job cleaning the fuel system and depositing the "grunge" in the filters. 

Michelle
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: Buying Fuel & Fuel Additives

Reply #5 –
Quote
Help me out here.  Did James Triana suggest we pull the plug out of the bottom of the fuel tank? 

I did ask him that and he said "obviously it will be messy but that is how to get some of the contaminants from the bottom of tank."

Quote
What happens to the fuel in the tank since it is not a good idea to use all of the fuel in the tank.
You are only draining a small amount of the fuel (into a container) to get the bottom contaminants out so it does not accumulate.
The selected media item is not currently available.Barry BEAM #16014
2003 U320 40' AGDS
Beamalarm, Foretravel technical help and specifications
"Whatever the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve"

Re: Buying Fuel & Fuel Additives

Reply #6 –
Barry,
  I think that your statement of " only draining a small amount of fuel (into a container)" just might not have taken into consideration of what happens when "old" fingers, connected to an old brain that "thinks its body is younger than it is, manages to drop the plug into the drain pan, then can't locate it.  It is really hard to try to
hold a hand over the drain hole and search for a plug, all the while working in an area that wasn't designed to be worked in.  This leads to a certain amount of fuel running down the arm.  The humorous part will come at a later point in time.  Wheeee!

LynnD
'01

Re: Buying Fuel & Fuel Additives

Reply #7 –
Quote
It is really hard to try to hold a hand over the drain hole and search for a plug, all the while working in an area that wasn't designed to be worked in.  This leads to a certain amount of fuel running down the arm.

I can't agree more. That is why I have decided not to do it myself after he told me that.
I only quoted what James told me should be done .
I could not see how to do it without making a complete mess especially since the bolt is recessed  ::)
The selected media item is not currently available.Barry BEAM #16014
2003 U320 40' AGDS
Beamalarm, Foretravel technical help and specifications
"Whatever the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve"

Re: Buying Fuel & Fuel Additives

Reply #8 –
 :o I'm glad I've had a nice extra glass of wine tonight - ??? Drain Plug, Bio Diesel where is Willie Nelson?

It actually sounds like what I do for my gas engine vehicles even for storage - but stge will never happen since this is home-sweet-home

This low sulfur fuel - isn't it at all fuel centers where the big truckers go - or is that lovely glass of wine "wining" me!!!!!  :)) :)) :))

SO - no additives - Please don't tell me where the drain plug is or I will find it and that is no joke - the guys here at FOT are running when I come in with my little yellow note pad asking What Is/Where Is/Is this thing what - My new name is "cat squirrel" - I will not explain!!!! :D
Virginia Cunningham
Motorcader # 16992
'99 U320 40'
'06 Black Silverado 2500HD 4x4 Crew Cab