Diesel fuel additives

4X4

Moderator
With the current Ultra Low Sulphur Diesel (10ppm) is any one using diesel fuel additives? The problem with ultra low sulphur diesel, it is inadvertently stripped of its lubricating properties. Most additives claim to lubricate fuel pumps as well as keeping injectors clean, and cleaning the entire fuel system of algae. They also claim to reduce black exhaust smoke and improve economy.

There is conflicting advice on use of additives as they can have detrimental effects on fuel pumps eating away at linings. How often do people use additives and do they notice any difference?
 
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Traveller

Well-Known Member
I use Chemtech 'Diesel Power" in mine, about every 3-4 fills. It helps reduce exhaust smoke, don't think
it does anything for economy or power, but running cleaner probably does help, doesn't it? (please tell
me I'm not wasting money,eh)
Jok
 

4X4

Moderator
Jok, I don't think you are. I was just a bit concerned about using it every fill as recommended on the instructions on the bottle.
 

frosty

4x4 Earth Contributer
You would like to think that the newer 4x4's were built with these crap fuels in mind. Older vehicles can suffer dramaticly. I use a lucas upper cyl. lubricant in 98 GU Diesel. (just in case.) Evey second tank, I just squirt in the required amount. I have had troubles before with older work trucks leaking from the injector pump after the introduction of low sulpher fuel.
 

Croozer

5th Annual Victorian Gathering member
We used the same stuff on the old motor in the surf Rossco and it helped a bit. Less smoke and a tiny improve on fuel econamy.
 

LowLux

Moderator
I think it also depends on whether your using the injector cleaner/upper cylinder lube additive or simnply the fuel booster additive. I believe the injector cleaner additives can do damage to your line/s if used for prolonged periods i.e. in every tank but the other one, the fuel booster, is just a lube with a bit of the ol boost juice in it which is supposed to be fine for a measured dose in each tank. I use Flash Lube because its a an upper cylinder lube, with a bit of boost juice for the fuel and only has a mild cleaning agent, apparently. I've had no issues to date and I find I do get a little better response from the throttle and I do get a couple of extra K's extra from a tank but not really noticeable.
 

4X4

Moderator
I think it also depends on whether your using the injector cleaner/upper cylinder lube additive or simnply the fuel booster additive. I believe the injector cleaner additives can do damage to your line/s if used for prolonged periods i.e. in every tank.

I believe this is the case with older diesels, I'm not sure about the newer ones that comply to the new emission laws. Water in your fuel tank can promote algae, which is a real problem clogging fuel lines with a waxy sludge and affecting the spray pattern of the injectors. Injector cleaner will kill this algae, and it is also improves economy by up to 6% and reduces exhaust emissions.
 
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sschmez

Member
I use Chemtech 'Diesel Power" in mine, about every 3-4 fills. It helps reduce exhaust smoke, don't think
it does anything for economy or power, but running cleaner probably does help, doesn't it? (please tell
me I'm not wasting money,eh)
Jok

I've used the chemtech too and actually measured a slight improvement in economy when I used it ... not enough to cover the cost of the stuff though.

I still tip some in occasionally, usually before a long road trip just to give things a bit of a cleanout.

Stevo
 

Fox Shooter

New Member
With the hydrogen desuphurisation process of diesel to reduce sulphur the lubricity of the diesel is reduced but they do put an additive to increase lubricity. There has been some problems with older diesels suffering from fuel pump leaks and seal failers due to the new low sulphur diesel, but once new seals are installed ( viton ) these problems have stopped. The newer diesels which there sealing components have been designed to cope with low sulphur diesel. Myself I have been using Flashlube in every tank since new now 80k's old, just for the extra lubricity and to reduce algae also using it the missus new pajero.
 

ARGS

New Member
lol I've got a mate of mine who has Avtur (avaiation fuel) as his additive from the fuel farm at amberly base! He mixes it into his Narvara
 

Pridhac

New Member
I have used nearly one main tankful of Super Diesel from Total Fuel. It claims to boost power by 12% SuperDiesel - The Best Drop


I will have to wait to fill 'er up again to do mileage calculations, but so far it looks like making no difference whatsoever.
 

Fox Shooter

New Member
lol I've got a mate of mine who has Avtur (avaiation fuel) as his additive from the fuel farm at amberly base! He mixes it into his Narvara

God :eek: I wouldn't be using avgas. It would certainly clean the system but wouldn't be any good for the lubrication properties of diesel.
Same goes for kero being added to diesel again not good for the lubrication properties of the diesel.
 

bmurray2250

4x4 Earth Contributer
Lucas or Flashlube products have a good name. I have used both in my petrol engine. The local desiel outlet and machanic recommends the Lucas products. Many truckies use it too.
 

kyleb

New Member
I use Chemtech Diesel Power every 3 or 4 fills, usually when I do a road trip.
I don't do a lot of driving so the diesel can sit around in the tank for a few weeks, so im hoping the additive does its job and helps to keep algae growth down
 

dipmaker

New Member
lol I've got a mate of mine who has Avtur (avaiation fuel) as his additive from the fuel farm at amberly base! He mixes it into his Narvara

I've used this quite often,there doesn't seem to be much of a power increase but my old Hilux runs a lot smoother on it and I get a lot more kilometers per litre.
 

Yota

New Member
Diesel Additives

I use the required dose of Moreys every third tankful, don't know if it makes any difference but gives me peace of mind knowing something is going in there.
When I had my injectors serviced and pump recalibrated the tech said only use those additives if you can see some improvement with them. Don't know if he was trying to create more work for himself though.
 

bmurray2250

4x4 Earth Contributer
I've used this quite often,there doesn't seem to be much of a power increase but my old Hilux runs a lot smoother on it and I get a lot more kilometers per litre.

With the additives I have tested, it didn't increase the k's per litre but it made the engine run smoother
 

daweclan

New Member
2 Stroke oil in diesel

I've been putting 2 stroke in my diesel at 200:1 ratio. with noticable differance,less noise more stick and better economy. I had my injector pump done after the low sulpher diesel dried out all the seals. Iv'e tried additaves with no improvment. check out this link on testing additaves, Done in the states. http://www.johnfjensen.com/Diesel_fuel_additive_test.pdf
 
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