Diesel Fuel Conditioner

[islandcruiser]

Question regarding old fuel and diesel fuel treatment (conditioner). I'm curious if anyone regularly uses a fuel treatment or conditioner every certain number of tanks of diesel? I have finally coaxed my curb cruiser onto the road and since it is only the second time I have had it on the road since I bought it (long story dealing with the glow circuit of a 79BJ), I am still feeling my way through the diesel driving/owning, experience. If anyone has any suggestions my ears are open.


Cheers~

Stephen

 

[crushers]

every tank i add Howles fuel conditioner.
a couple onces... it helps lube the pump...

 

[Stone]

I used to use Howe's Diesel Treat, but I am currently trialing Canada Lube Corp's Premium Diesel Conditioner. I've been very happy with the results so far: my fuel consumption immediately dropped by more than 1L/100 km, less smoke, and more power. The downside is that you use more of the product than Howe's, so it costs more.

You should use fuel conditioner in EVERY tank of fuel since once of its functions is to encapsulate any moisture that may have contaminated your fuel to avoid water from contacting any part of your sensitive fuel injection system. Also, with today's low sulphur diesel, it's always a good idea to take advantage of the conditioner's added lubricity for your fuel pump even though some may argue otherwise...it can't hurt.

 

[dieselDaryl]

I've used Howes since I first owned diesel cruisers and second (third) the recommendation. However, I thought I’d try Stanadyne on the last tank. Its more expensive and I’ll probably go back to Howes after…

In either case, it might be worth running some diesel purge through the system.. Check out this thread:

https://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?t=20246

 

[dieseldog]

I use biodiesel as my additive. Beats the hell outta canola.

 

[Scoot Jockey]

Fatty acid methyl esters is the proper name for biodiesel. The University of Idaho was one of the pioneers of biodiesel research, and started experimenting with it on tractors back in the 70's. Biodiesel is basically vegetable oil without the sticky stuff (glycerin). I have been using my own home produced biodiesel mixed 50/50 with petro diesel for the past six months.

I also use Stanadyne fuel treatment, which is the easiest to find in my area. It seems to do a good job.

 

[Diescipel]

Word on the BioD, especially as we move to low sulphur fuel. But I still don't want to go without an additive that cuts moisture and does all those other things BioD doesn't. Redline's 85 Plus is working for me right now...

http://www.redlineoil.com/products_fueladditives.asp?productID=66

B

 

[dieseldog]

I have two means of dispensing bioD to my seven diesel vehicles. I have a bed-mounted 100 gallon tank and 12volt pump setup on my 91 Dodge Ram Cummins. Also, I have a 30 gallon drum on a dolly with a 115volt pump setup. Both pump setups "polish" the B99 before being dispensed by means of two filters: [1] Goldenrod particulate/water filter (15 micron nominal); & [2] CimTek particulate filter (10 micron nominal). I essentially double fiter the B99 because it is filtered as it is dispensed from the Dodge setup to fill the 30 gallon drum. The second filtering is when I roll the 30 gallon drum over to whatever vehicle I am refuelling. As far as I'm concerned, there is no other additive needed for my vehicles because no water and no particle above 10 microns is getting to my vehicles' tanks.

 

[lucky]

I use GEN 49, it is a very good one that most truckers use in the fuel. It is also made in Calgary

http://www.maryngroup.com/Product_Information/Power_Up/Gen_49Dnew.htm

Ryan

 

[The Dude]

I am using Milligan Bio Tech fuel additive. It has reduced smoke and engine clatter. I mix it at 1% It is the best lubricant/additive I have ever used. (howes, stanadyne, DSG )

http://www.milliganbiotech.com/

I am very biased on this product. A good friend makes it and my father-in-law owns part of it....


As Hawke has mentioned, the University of Saskatchewan is doing some leading edge research on bio. They have also had bio cars since the late 70s running around and have two bio processing plants on the the u of S grounds.

 

[The Dude]

One of the fuel stations up on 51 st. I think it's race trac??? It has the big car wash as well.

You can get it there and they also sell their diesel with .01% of the additive in it already.

I'll see if I can get a gallon or two of it next time I am home for you.

 

[shinny]

This is interesting. I was planning on going 5 or 10% (food grade) canola oil in the summer months. This is the first time I've heard of Canola not being benificial. I was hoping to go as high as 20%. Anyone here with long term experience trying this? In my case it would be a short term project, until I start making my own BD.

As a hijack note, anyone in Calgary interested in buying bulk BD from B.C.? There is company in Sparwood which will deliver to Calgary. The catch is shipping. A 1000l can be shipped for 125$ + about a buck a litre (1150 total, I think). I'm interested in going sharesies but have no place to put a tote. And, just think, in 3 months, 1.15/l might be what you pay at the pumps.

 

[HZJ60 Guy]

I use 4 ozs of Stanadyne, and 4 ozs of Amsoil Cetane booster and 4 ozs of Amsoil Diesel Additive every tank!!! I have done this since my VW TDI was new and it has 93,000 miles on it. I also do this with my diesel samurai and I will do it with my HZJ 60 when I get her back from the shop.

 

[Diescipel]

Canola oil and canola biodiesel tests:
http://www.milliganbiotech.com/Extending Diesel Engine Life.pdf

Good read, seems like their science is good, but I can't help a little conspiracy theory since the study was funded by Ag. interests who would benefit from positive results in regard to Canola products...

Secondly, they are not talking about straight Canola VO, if I read it correctly, are they? Yep, there's Canola BioD there with esters (CME) etc., but they don't exactly spell out what the "Canola Oil Derivative" (COD) is.

Third, it looks like you need VERY little (.1-.2% of fuel volume) of this to help with lubricity, so could it be possible that a little in every tank would be enough to get the benefits without being enough to cause any harm?

B

 

[Diescipel]

For the same reason, one can't expect those with a vested interest in biodiesel to support the idea of using canola directly.

Damn, that's the problem with conspiracy theories.........

Objective research is done in Europe.

That page (don't have time to explore further) is about emissions. I like the previous one because it is about lubricity and engine life.... I would like to see a long term controlled study of diesel engines with the different fuels etc. Our recent post on veggie oil makes me think twice about converting.... but then that's getting into a hijack.

B

 

[bigbrowndog]

I have been using this Lucas Fuel Conditioner it seems to work well and contains injector cleaners and fuel conditioners.When I get my three 44 gallon drums of fuel I pour some straight into the drums to preserve the fuel and add more to the tank when filling it. Its made in the USA and packaged here.

 

[dieseldog]

One of the problems I've seen is that many folks are imprecise about what they are using/discussing--even some scientists. No matter what your basestock is (rapeseed, soybean, animal tallow, etc.), once you transesterify, it is now BIODIESEL. It is no longer referred to by the name of what you made it from.

Once you strip away the glycerol and modify the viscosity, it's not the same thing anymore. And I'm here to tell you that there is no finer diesel fuel additive than high-quality, ASTM grade biodiesel.

 

[HZJ60 Guy]

Remember this, injector cleaner will NOT clean dirty injectors. It will only keep clean injectors from getting dirty in the first place. So, you need to use the stuff regularly if you intend to keep your injectors clean. Ive spoken with more than one injector shop about this and this info. seems to be consistant. That's one reason I use an additive every tank.

 

[islandcruiser]

Thanks to all those who posted info on this, hopefully it will be helpful to others who are new to this diesel idea. I will be sure to use a product on my next tank and every one there after.

Childs