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Topic: Fuel additives? (Read 1562 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.
2000 U320 mid entry  #5688
2006 Jeep Liberty


USMCR retired
SDFD retired
FEMA US&R TF8

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?
96 U270 BUILD 4810
85 380SL
Drummonds TN.

Re: Fuel additives?

Reply #2 –
Quote from: Sven and Kristi –
(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
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: Fuel additives?

Reply #3 –
Quote from: Sven and Kristi –
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.

Quote from: John44 –
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.)
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: Fuel additives?

Reply #4 –
Quote from: Michelle –
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
I typed in "fuel additives" and got nothing.  Don't know what to say - I did check the spelling.
2000 U320 mid entry  #5688
2006 Jeep Liberty


USMCR retired
SDFD retired
FEMA US&R TF8

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 –
Quote from: Sven and Kristi –
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
2007 Nimbus 340 quad slide
Build #6386 FMC #17360 FMCA #441779

Re: Fuel additives?

Reply #7 –
Quote from: Don Rickey –

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.
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: 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.
1993 U-240 "La Villa Grande"..CAT 3116 w/ Pacbrake PRXB...Allison 3060 6-speed..
Previous: 1983 Airstream 310 turbo diesel, 1979 Airstream 280 turbo diesel
                                      Build # 4297
                                      PNW natives
                      Home base:  'Cactus Hug' (Ajo, Arizona)
                        DW Judy & Chet the wonder dog
                        Full-Timers 'Sailing the asphalt sea'

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.
95 U300SE

Re: Fuel additives?

Reply #12 –
Quote from: mike leary –
[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.


Quote from: Doug W. –
2-Stroke Oil In Diesel – A Technical Study

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  ;)  )
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: Fuel additives?

Reply #15 –
Quote from: Michelle –
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.
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: Fuel additives?

Reply #16 –
Per that chart I use optilube xpd

Motor idles smoother as does the gen. 
"Riding and rejoicing"
Bob
1997 U320 40' Mid entry, build 5132,  wtbi ce27, 4th owner
2007 Solara convertible
2 prodeco tech outlaw ss electric bikes

1095 watts solar
08 Ls 460 and a sc430
2000 Ford F-250 superduty 4x4

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).
2000 U320 mid entry  #5688
2006 Jeep Liberty


USMCR retired
SDFD retired
FEMA US&R TF8

Re: Fuel additives?

Reply #19 –
Use Howes (every tank) and Biobor .
Dave
2002 295 36'
Build 6006
Motorcade Member 17931
Toad 2003 Jeep Wrangler
2008 BMW R1200 GSA

Re: Fuel additives?

Reply #20 –
  Sven,
 the MM web site says 4 oz per 10 gals is their recommendation and that's how I go when I fuel up. I'm not too accurate on the proportions as I'm using an 'educated' guess when fueling .......miles traveled divided by 10 mpg. I was introduced to MM in Michigan in 78 by a co-worker whose father ran a dirt track car sponsored by MM and had at one time held the track record at Sandusky OH. before the World of Outlaws started up. He seemed to think it was the best thing since sliced bread......go figure ?
 b^.^d
88 Grand Villa 36' ORED 3208 (throwaway)Cat.
 Build # 3150
Happiness is the maximum agreement of reality and desire.

To use or not use Cetane Boost in the fuel.

Reply #21 –
Thoughts anyone in using Cetane Booster.  If so, which one? Does it matter which engine we have?
Thanks everyone,
John M
John & Carm Morales

"We travel not to go anywhere, but to just go.  We travel for travel's sake.  Our great desire is to move."

Re: To use or not use Cetane Boost in the fuel.

Reply #22 –
I use amsoil cetane booster along with the diesel injector clean with the cold flow during winter drives. Use them about every 3rd fill. The cetane raises the level of cetane in fuel up to 7 points it say's?? I am a 100% Amsoil user for fluids.
JohnH
Coachless, now use aircraft. 2003 Ford Travelair TC280 class C. Super shape. Just for 1 yr .
1994 Ford E350 ClassC,total renovation inside and out. Now sold.
2000 U295  36' Cummins 350 c/w Banks Stinger, Resonator upgrade,Solar, LED lites.Residential fridge with slide out pantry. Build 5674. Sold
ex 92 GV 022C ored Cummins. Sold
ex 95 GV240 cat 3116. Sold
2017 Mini cooper s & 2016 land Rover LR2 HSE  LUX.
jhaygarth@aol.com    SKP #130098
treat everyone as you would like to be.

Re: Fuel additives?

Reply #23 –
You guys convinced me I should add anti- algae additive. Went down to our local NAPA store just now, looked around, but no biocide. Asked the crew, and they told me, they had heard of it, but NO ONE down this far south uses it and they don't stock it!
1993 U-240 "La Villa Grande"..CAT 3116 w/ Pacbrake PRXB...Allison 3060 6-speed..
Previous: 1983 Airstream 310 turbo diesel, 1979 Airstream 280 turbo diesel
                                      Build # 4297
                                      PNW natives
                      Home base:  'Cactus Hug' (Ajo, Arizona)
                        DW Judy & Chet the wonder dog
                        Full-Timers 'Sailing the asphalt sea'

Re: Fuel additives?

Reply #24 –
Amazon will deliver it to you, Mike.

The best my Cummins has ever run was when I installed this SBMar fuel lubricity system.  The engine sounded different and ran incredibly smooth.  It seemed to all be down to the magic additive packet in the FS20000 filter.  The downside was that you were installing a 2 micron filter upstream from your lift pump and it didn't take a whole lot of use before there was enough restriction to cause noticeable issues.  And those filter changes added up pretty quick so I decided to remove the filter head and go without.  No other additive I've used has had such an immediately noticeable effect  including any of the Power Service, Stanadyne, Howe's, etc.  I need to track down some of the Fleetguard liquid additives since they should be the same magic stuff as in the fuel filter.

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Robert
Build # 5304
1998 34' U270 Cummins 6CTA8.3