Power Service Additive

[Eric Eliel]

I've been reading some posts about this additive. In the past its been less than Redline. I'm primarily interested in boosting the Cetane level since the various diesel stations most convenient to me seem to have a varying degree of fuel quality (fuel mileage changes).

What should I be paying for this fuel additive and does it come in different configurations?

After doing the math, does it pay for itself in better fuel economy? (I'm skeptical of this holy grail)

[Mr. FancyPants]

You probably read some of my posts since I've mention Power Services a few times.

I have not done any statistical analysis to determine cost effective fuel economy, but rather I add this, and also use Redline, sometimes together, (I like Redline better) I use this stuff because it quiets noisy injectors, lubes injectors and IP, does seem to increase power, and does reduce smoke!

If it cost more to benefit these enhancements, I don't mind paying more! In the end, I am still ahead of the game anyway since I get better than 31 mpg! And I expect to get even better mpg's now that the AC will be off!

I am having my spare set of injectors rebuilt and balanced, but I will still add the Redline!

Steve......

[Lance Allison]

I've used a variety of fuel additives over the years and always manage to go back to Power Service. There are two mainstream varieties of Power Service and I use them both depending on the time of year. The silver bottle is more of a warmer weather formula and has no anti-gel properties. Also, the silver bottle claims to raise the cetane level a bit higher than the white bottle (I think the white bottle will raise cetane 4 points and the silver 6 points).

The cheapest I've seen the white bottle for is $5.49 for a 96oz container. My local Farm and Fleet has this sale every fall and I buy a year's worth for my 3 diesels. Their normal price is $7.99. WalMart has it as well, but it is almost $11.00 for the same sized container. The price is similar for the silver bottle, but sometimes it's bit harder to find.

If you are interested in only boosting your cetane number, there are products out there that do only that as well. I know Amsoil makes it...I just used the last of a 5 gallon container a few weeks ago. Awhile back, I saw another cetane boost only product on a website, but can't remember what the name of it was. Cost-wise, it was quite a bit more than the Amsoil was when shipping was figured in. Haven't ordered Amsoil in so long, I couldn't tell you what the going price is for it...or even who sells it anymore. The shop I used to get it from is no longer around.

[Brian Carlton]

Eric, I'm in the process of testing the Power Service conditioner on the SDL as we speak. I add 12 oz. per 20 gallons and I am now on the third tank. No benefit on the first two, however, they were compromised by stop and go traffic. This third tank appears to be above the other two at the half way point. Normally the 1/2 mark comes up at about 310 miles. This tank reached 330 miles at the 1/2 mark. Of course, this means nothing until I fill it and until I have several tanks to back it up. Additionally, the aforementioned numbers must be adjusted downward by 6.5% due to odometer error (for reasons unknown).

The SDL always runs in the 28's for just about 100% highway. I would like to see a solid 30 on a couple of tanks in a row to claim that the Power Service is the ticket.

[dresserman]

Have used PS for many years and have been happy with it BUT my MB so far has not seemed to respont to this product. ?????
Have been told of many people switching to Stanadyne Performance Formula and like the results. Claim smoother warm ups after starting and less smoking?????
Have a jug of this now and will start the try out next tank, on MB only.
Will see.

[jimmy hat]

Originally Posted by Lance Allison

The cheapest I've seen the white bottle for is $5.49 for a 96oz container. My local Farm and Fleet has this sale every fall and I buy a year's worth for my 3 diesels. Their normal price is $7.99.

farm and fleet? where do you live? my first job was working at the farm and fleet in woodstock illinois. i sold ammo gotta love rural illinois. haha

sorry, um, i haven't driven my deisel yet so i don't have much to add, but i am paying attention to this thread so i won't have to ask again later.

how can i tell how good the diesel near me is. the centane rating etc. do the post it on the pump? (sorryif that seems like stupid question, this is my first diesel)

[Brian Carlton]

If they don't post it and they don't advertise it as a "premium" product, you can bet the Cetane is about 40. You can seek out better diesel, with higher cetane ratings at some facilities in the midwest. BPAmoco lists some of these facilities on their web site, however, they are few and far between.

[Lance Allison]

Originally Posted by jimmy hat

farm and fleet? where do you live? my first job was working at the farm and fleet in woodstock illinois. i sold ammo gotta love rural illinois. haha

I'm within about 30 minutes of the Aurora/Naperville F&F, 30 min from Ottawa, and about an hour away from the one in Bloomington/Normal. Heck yeah...F&F rocks! I can wander around there for a couple of hours. Gotta love how the whole store smells strongly of tires!

[Hatterasguy]

I just filled up today and my mileage is 23.5mpg again. No matter how I drive this car it always gets about the same. I did get 25 one tank but that could have been a fluke. I was using 8oz of Power service but have upped that to 12, we will see if it does anything. If not I will dump a gallon in and run a 1:20 mix.

[Alan Hamm]

Originally Posted by Lance Allison

I've used a variety of fuel additives over the years and always manage to go back to Power Service. There are two mainstream varieties of Power Service and I use them both depending on the time of year. The silver bottle is more of a warmer weather formula and has no anti-gel properties. Also, the silver bottle claims to raise the cetane level a bit higher than the white bottle (I think the white bottle will raise cetane 4 points and the silver 6 points).

The cheapest I've seen the white bottle for is $5.49 for a 96oz container.

Hattie; This is from the 3rd post in this thread. Note that I paid that for 32 oz at Advance Auto (rip-off).

[Hatterasguy]

Oh I paid more, I think like $12!

[BobK]

I need to pick up a gallon jug of PS. That's what I use in winter. Mostly on general principle. I get my fuel either at BP or at a Flying J. Both seem to have plenty of winter conditioner in them. Seems last year it was $11-$12 a jug. I have a couple of old 12 oz. techron bottles that I fill with PS and keep at the ready for diesel fillups. Between the PS and the fuel I buy, I was able to start the '83 300D last year at 20 degrees without the block heater after sitting all night. That was a good feeling.
The SEL was big and fast alright. Loads of fun to surprise some little rice burner at a light or whereever. Most were shocked to see anything that big move so quick. Sorta like one of our Nukey aircraft carriers getting up and doing 50+ knots at sea. Picture a whole small town (land mass) getting up and doing 50.
The SL has a more mechanical feel to it. Passing slow drivers who are doing 40-50 is unreal. Car drops to 2nd gear and just roars. Feels like an old '69 Mustang or and old GTO. SEL was always pretty quiet no matter what you were doing. Seemed like it had an electric motor instead of a gas V8. Works out pretty good. I have diesels to keep me respectable and the SL when I feel the need for speed...or just that top down evening cruise. Wife and I go for evening drives and I actually drive S L O W. Then again, when a nice country road corner beckens.....