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Topic: Fuel additives? (Read 1841 times) previous topic - next topic

Fuel additives?

(A search of the subject didn't produce any result)
I friend with a 2004 FT is in Nagadoches having a fuel filter replaced.  He has less than 10,000 miles on the coach.  He was told that this was likely caused by the newer fuels and possibly bio-diesel.  My coach is four years older with 70,000 miles, but I have not had any problems (yet).  The advise given him was to use a fuel additive.
Does anyone have "documentable" evidence that this is true?  I will check with Cummins.

Re: Fuel additives?

Reply #1
Swen,not sure what the problem is,if he has a 04 with only 10k miles then I would think the filters are due for a change.Unless
they open up the old filter you will not know what's in it.I know the fuel additive is one of those things we have "non believers"
in but it cannot do anything but help,it's like when we hear these quotes that these engines are 500k or million mile engines
and then a member has to have a overhaul,what happened?

Re: Fuel additives?

Reply #2
(A search of the subject didn't produce any result)

That's odd - has been discussed many times.  My search turned up 3 pages of results.  These will get you started  ;)


Buying Fuel & Fuel Additives

Fuel additives

Diesel additive & order of operations to revive a long sitting coach ?

diesel stabilizer

Our use of Power Service diesel fuel additives

Anyone heard about this?? Insufficient lubricants in the diesel fuel

ULSD in older Foretravel diesels?

Fuel Additives

Re: Fuel additives?

Reply #3
I friend with a 2004 FT is in Nagadoches having a fuel filter replaced.  He has less than 10,000 miles on the coach.  He was told that this was likely caused by the newer fuels and possibly bio-diesel.

Swen,not sure what the problem is,if he has a 04 with only 10k miles then I would think the filters are due for a change.Unless
they open up the old filter you will not know what's in it.


Agree with John - sounds suspiciously like algae in the system with such low miles.  Some fuel has to have sat in that tank for months or more and quite possibly with a lot of air/condensation space available for the little buggers to grow.  Biocide would be highly recommended (and many of us use it routinely - Starbrite/Startron, Biobor-JF, etc.)

Re: Fuel additives?

Reply #4
I typed in "fuel additives" and got nothing.  Don't know what to say - I did check the spelling.

Re: Fuel additives?

Reply #5
I have used SeaFoam for years. I bought a gallon last time as they had it

at 40% off @ AutoZone. A biocide is equally as important. It is kind of like taking

vitamins for us, we are never sure they work but I do think the fuel additives help.

Carter-


Re: Fuel additives?

Reply #6
I typed in "fuel additives" and got nothing.  Don't know what to say - I did check the spelling.
Sven,

Make sure you click the down arrow to the right of the search box and select "Entire Forum". I think the default is "this topic", which might not provide you with listings outside this thread. I got the same results as Michelle.

Hope this helps.

Don

Re: Fuel additives?

Reply #7

Make sure you click the down arrow to the right of the search box and select "Entire Forum".

Or hover over "Community" on the upper left, select "Search" and then you can use the advanced options.  Helpful if you're trying to find a particular user's posts on a subject or want to search a relative timeframe.

Re: Fuel additives?

Reply #8
In the world of carbureted hot rods and classics there is great concern over todays gasoline wreaking havoc with carburetors, fuel lines and filters during periods of unuse.  A lot of that concern centers around ethanol as the culprit.

In spite of all the procedures/additives that people recommend using before storage, I have never used any.  I have a number of gas
engines including outdoor power equipment, boat motors, tractors, a few SBC's and V-6's.  I have never done anything other than park each one like I was going to use it tomorrow.  Sometimes they need a bit of coaxing after sitting for months, but never fail to start up and run perfectly.

The only problem I've ever had is the carburetor on my pressure washer needed complete disassembly and cleaning.

Having said that, I probably need some of that oil mentioned to add to the Cummins fuel, so should I go with fossil or synthetic, and what weight and dosage? 

And, I use Biobor JF and Penray regularly since my Cummins/algae/asphaltene scare, as well as either a ZDDP additive or Brad Penn oil in my flat tappet motors.

Re: Fuel additives?

Reply #9
[quote author=Travelin' Man link=msg=270630 date=1493917013  I use Biobor JF and Penray regularly since my Cummins/algae/asphaltene scare, as well as either a ZDDP additive or Brad Penn oil in my flat tappet motors.[/quote]

That was the gist of my question: what does "regularly" mean? Every fuel stop, once ever xxxxx miles? I'm on the fence about this.


Re: Fuel additives?

Reply #11
I have been running a maintenance dose of Biobor JF and treating with Stanadyne performance formula or PowerService or Howes Lubricator every tank. I find the Howes on sale really cheap at rural king or fleet and farm and buy a few cases. Who knows it it helps or is needed. Gives peace of mind for minimal cost. I dont add any additive when i get a tank with biodiesel, as it has been tested to significantly improve lubricity.

Re: Fuel additives?

Reply #12
[quote author=Travelin' Man link=msg=270630 date=1493917013  I use Biobor JF and Penray regularly since my Cummins/algae/asphaltene scare, as well as either a ZDDP additive or Brad Penn oil in my flat tappet motors.

That was the gist of my question: what does "regularly" mean? Every fuel stop, once ever xxxxx miles? I'm on the fence about this.

At every fuel stop I just add the right amount of Biobor JF and Penray for the gallonage pumped.



Great read Doug, thanks.

Re: Fuel additives?

Reply #13
A Cummins pump mechanic in Dallas years ago told me to add a quart of ATF

to each saddle tank when fueling. We did and never had a Cummins pump to

go out. The tanks were normally below a eighth in each side when they were

filled. We never used a biocide, fuel came and went to quickly to ever need it,

but I do believe in it in a MH.

Carter-

Re: Fuel additives?

Reply #14
Highly recommend reading this study (it's mentioned in a couple of the linked topics)

Lubricity Additive Study Results - Diesel Place : Chevrolet and GMC Diesel...

And Carter, understand that if you put ATF in your fuel tank, and it's red in color, that's the color they dye non-taxed diesel for farm/off road use and if a LEO dips your tank and finds the fuel to have red in it, you could face fines (at least according to the Internet, where we know everything is true  ;)  )

Re: Fuel additives?

Reply #15
Highly recommend reading this study (it's mentioned in a couple of the linked topics)

Lubricity Additive Study Results - Diesel Place : Chevrolet and GMC Diesel...

And Carter, understand that if you put ATF in your fuel tank, and it's red in color, that's the color they dye non-taxed diesel for farm/off road use and if a LEO dips your tank and finds the fuel to have red in it, you could face fines (at least according to the Internet, where we know everything is true  ;)  )
I've had a Culver City Commercial cop check my crane tank twice with his flashlight looking for agricultural fuel. I asked him where in Los Angeles he thought farm fuel was available. No answer.

Re: Fuel additives?

Reply #16
Per that chart I use optilube xpd

Motor idles smoother as does the gen. 

Re: Fuel additives?

Reply #17
 I cant find any positive test results for the ATF.    I use it all the time for parts cleaning and  near the lathe/drill press.

Re: Fuel additives?

Reply #18
Some years ago, I took a San Diego Fire Dept. class on apparatus maintenance given by the lead mechanic.  He strongly recommended adding Marvel Mystery oil to the fuel (don't recall how much).

Re: Fuel additives?

Reply #19
Use Howes (every tank) and Biobor .