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  #1  
Old 02-27-2002, 05:40 PM
Ivo Tyl
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Question fuel additives

Should I or should not use diesel fuel additives?

Ivo

1981 300SD Tirbocharge

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  #2  
Old 02-27-2002, 06:20 PM
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There is also a reasonable following on the Power Service stuffs (which I use).

Basically two of their products are available in many places.

Diesel Fuel Supplement: This is one of those having everything type of additive, anti-gel, detergent, etc. It also contains some cetane boost (2 numbers if following their recommended dose or 4 numbers doubling dosage.).

DieselKleen: This is basically a cleaner but with more cetane boosts (3 numbers if following their recommended dose or 6 numbers doubling dosage.).

I like both of their products. A few week ago, I got a tank of diesel that just ran rough. I poured in 8 OZ of the DieselKkleen stuffs and it ran much smoother. The cetane rating is probably too low in some stations.
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Old 02-27-2002, 11:29 PM
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I've used both Redline and Power Service in my SD. I used Techron in a previous 1977 300D. Both the Redline DFC and the Power Service give a noticeable performance boost. Redline I've only found at Pep Boys; the Power Service is available at Wal-mart. Never tried the new Rotella DFC yet.

I tend to use a lot of either additive: I dump a half bottle of Redline in every other tankful or so, or a third of a 32 oz bottle of Power Service. I don't like to leave a partially-opened bottle in the trunk because of leakage and smells, hence the half bottle of DFC. I add it, then drive to the filling station.
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1973 Olds 88, 1972 MB 280SE, 1978 Datsun 280Z, 1971 Ford T-Bird, 1972 Olds 88, 1983 Nissan Sentra, 1985 Sentra, 1973 230.6, 1990 Acura Integra, 1991 Volvo 940GLE wagon, 1983 300SD, 1984 300SD, 1995 Subaru Legacy L wagon, 2002 Mountaineer, 1991 300TE wagon, 2008 Murano, 2007 R320CDI 4Matic 52K, some Hyundai, 2008 BMW 535xi wagon, all gone... currently
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  #4  
Old 02-28-2002, 02:10 AM
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Ivo, here in BC there are fuel additives by Kleen-Flo available that are simmilar what has just been described.
a 2 litre bottle of Kleen-Flo Diesel Lubricant costs $17.99 plus taxes. It will treat up to 3000 litres of fuel. I usually double the dose, and add a minimum of 50ml to a fill-up (which is usually about 37 litres, as I fuel up around the half tank level - I dont want to suck crud from the bottom of the tank into my engine) However I am not particularily exact. I carry a plastic measuring cup and a funnelin my trunk for reasonable precision.
Kleen-Flo also has smaller cans of a cleaner treatment that I use about every third fill,for $6.50 a 750ml tin. This keeps the injection pump clean. Both productsincrease the cetane level, which is a good thing, as my 1983 300D was used to running on higher sulphur diesel when it was new.
This $17.99 bottle of Diesel Lubricant (about $21 Cdn.with taxes) will last you a very long time - a bottle lasts me over six months.

There is an equally good product by Hawes, called Diesel Treat, also available at truck stops here in Canada. It is less money, but the bottle is slightly smaller.
Buy it at truck stops where it is cheaper than if you bought it at Lordco or another automotive supplier.
Dont breathe the stuff as it is very poisonous to inhale. I have heard of a man who fell asleep in a truck sleeper, where a bottle tipped and spilled. The guy had a stroke that was suposed to have been caused by the fumes that he breathed.

Red Line products are available at MoPac Auto Supply here in Surrey. That is what everyone on this forum seems to use. I have to ask why or if it is thought to be better than the products from Kleen-Flo or Hawes.
Also, the diesel cleaner and all-in-one additives available from Canadian Tire are okay, and much easier to get.
Besides keeping the injectors clean, & lubricating the IP, the stuff raises cetane. This is important, as diesel fuel quality is not what it once was 10 or so years ago. Modern diesel has less sulphur, and needs the additives more now to keep the IP lubricated properly.
Although this doesn't affect you out in "the Interior", we here on the Lower Mainland have to take our diesels through "AirCare" (simmilar to what California does) and as I use additives regularily my 241000 mile (yes, miles; not kilometres) 300D passed AirCare easily, and does not smoke very much at all.
Also, additives aid in easier starting when the temperature drops.
I swear by additives, and attribute the clean smooth running of my old car to their regular use.
I have heard that Automatic Transmission fluid can be used as fuel additive. I would not heed this advice, as A/T fluid would produce ash when combusted, and that would pound the hell out of your valves, I think.
Good luck with your diesel MB.
- a fellow British Columbia diesel afficionado
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  #5  
Old 02-28-2002, 08:30 PM
Ivo Tyl
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Question fuel additives

Thanks to all who partipate in this lovely discussion as probably everybody has some experience with this.My question was prompted by newly purchased additive at Canadian Tire ,labeled as Valvoline Diesel Fuel Treatment.It is one litre volume bottle and on the direction label it is stated that it treats 1200 liters of fuel,what means ratio of dilution 1: 1200,which seems strange.That means approximately 60ml per tank,or one quarter of cup per one fill up.
I am afraid that that is wrong direction.
There is no indication what is part of that.What do you think?
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  #6  
Old 02-28-2002, 09:14 PM
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I know the stuff. Doubling up on that dosage would not hurt a thing. I do that as a matter of course.
There are two types of diesel additives available at Canadian Tire. They also have a 3 in 1 diesel conditioner. I used this when I ran out of Kleen-Flo. it's better than nothing. It works. I also use it a little stronger than the directions on the bottle. If you know that you are going to top up the tank from half full, pour 50ml into your handy-dandy little plastic measuring cup, and pour it into your tank. Then fuel up, thus mixing it all up. Soon your diesel will be hardly smoking at all, strarting easier, and running strong. Additives are needed to raise cetane levels and compensate for the reduction in sulphur. Additives are good for the I.P., and will help to minimize the soot gunk that accumulates in the manifold.
The truth is, I really do not know if the Valvoline and Canadian Tire product are as good as Kleen-Flo, Hawes, or RedLine, but they certainly aren't cheaper - just easier to get. I like tried tested and true products that are known to work. I haven't seen many Big Rigs parked in the Canadian Tire lot, while the owner/operartor is in the store buying his fix of "Motomaster 3 in 1".
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  #7  
Old 03-01-2002, 06:00 AM
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I've also tried to check out the additive "scene" here in Canda with some frustration. The CTC additive is made by a firm called Shrader Canada Ltd. When I contacted CTC about the specs of the additive they contacted the company and I just recieved basically a regurg of what it says on the bottle. I've bought the stuff & it seems to work okay - I assumed that the higher price might suggest it was a good product?
A local diesel guy suggested a Gunk product that I haven't been able to find. Redline is available out of Toronto & I've e-mailed Power Service twice for a Can. dealer - but they haven't replied. (Ha, I'll stop whining after all it is Friday!!)

On a good note I was able to find Lubro Moly products - Diesel Hi Test through this site: http://www.altrom.com/ You can't buy direct from them, but they have a list of local jobbers in Canada that you can order their products through. They also sell Benz parts. I haven't tried the Hi-Test yet, the only problem is it doesn't have anti-gell stuff in it.

Have a good weekend !!

Aivars
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  #8  
Old 03-01-2002, 06:58 AM
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Do you guys have truck stops, Wal-Marts, Pep Boys, or other auto parts stores? These are all sources of additives, besides mail order. PartsShop on this site had Redline products, last time I checked.
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1973 Olds 88, 1972 MB 280SE, 1978 Datsun 280Z, 1971 Ford T-Bird, 1972 Olds 88, 1983 Nissan Sentra, 1985 Sentra, 1973 230.6, 1990 Acura Integra, 1991 Volvo 940GLE wagon, 1983 300SD, 1984 300SD, 1995 Subaru Legacy L wagon, 2002 Mountaineer, 1991 300TE wagon, 2008 Murano, 2007 R320CDI 4Matic 52K, some Hyundai, 2008 BMW 535xi wagon, all gone... currently
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  #9  
Old 03-01-2002, 09:26 AM
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Diesel fuel additives -

Guys - I posted a reply to Ivo's question in more detail on the tech tips area - but i'll reiterate. Check out www.stanadyne.com
and get some Performance formula. They manufacture diesel fuel systems/pumps/injectors and know diesels really well. Many additives are just marketing hype. I've heard good things about redline dfc as well. Stanadyne was just fully endorsed and recommended by VW in their technical bulletins. I've used it in my car with no complaints. The stuff is very concentrated, just a few ounces(easily measured on the bottle with the little lines) per fillup -

Make sure your additive does NOT contain alcohol, and don't put ATF in your fuel -

hope this helps,

Dave
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  #10  
Old 03-01-2002, 12:41 PM
NIC
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speaking of injector cleaning....does anyone know where I might by some lubro moly diesel purge in the Columbia, SC area? I've tried all the auto parts shops and even the truck repair places with no luck. Can order it from several web site but you'd think that someone would have it in stock.

Nic
300CD
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  #11  
Old 03-01-2002, 01:19 PM
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Stanadyne

I've used the Stanadyne Performance Formula and I think it made some improvement in my rattly old wagon. My friend uses it regularly in his Land Rovers, claims less smoke and smoother running. A few bottles poured into the tank is common in Ireland to drag a car through its emissions tests!! Must be good!
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  #12  
Old 03-01-2002, 01:45 PM
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Truck Stops in both Canada & the US are good places to get the better quality diesel fuel additives. Diesel Purge is available at the truck stop that I frequent, and I have seen it at the independant MBz shop that I go to every now & then.
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  #13  
Old 03-04-2002, 09:45 AM
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Stanadyne

Since we've been discussing this, (I haven't in a while) I treated a new tank of diesel with the stanadyne. This is the first time I've really noticed a difference, but its clearly there. It may be because the average temp we've been seeing in cleve is about 25 degrees F. In any case, the car is noticeably running smoother and revs easier with the stanadyne. I had previously been averaging a combined mpg of 29, with about half suburban, half highway driving. On this last tank, admittedly I did a bit more highway driving, but got 32mpg. Go stanadyne!

I also filled up with my first tank yesterday of a Biodiesel blend - a B20 blend with soydiesel. I did all highway driving since adding it, and didn't have an empty tank, so I think overall I probably had a 5% blend. Didn't notice any difference, although its supposed to really clean out the insides of your engine.
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  #14  
Old 03-04-2002, 09:45 PM
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There appear to be two types of diesel fuel additives - the Lubricant type, and the cleaner additives. I am curious as to if you can mix the two, or if there is a negative affect to using too much of either type.
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  #15  
Old 03-07-2002, 10:05 PM
Kyle Blackmore's Avatar
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My two cents...

I've used a product called Diesel Power +,made by Petrolabs Inc.,Englewood CO.The mechanics at work swear by it,say they have put 20,000 hours on an injection pump.It's hard to find though,only 3 places in the lower mainland,I get mine at the GM dealer in Langley.One bottle does 30 tankfuls!I showed a Cat mechanic my can of Diesel Purge and he said it wouldn't hurt but he didn't think it was going to help much.I went to Valley Injection in Abbotsford and they told me to try the Stanadyne Performance formula.I doubled the dose and didn't find much of a difference.Greg ,you found Lubro-Moly products at Eidelwiess motors in Surrey?And what are you doing hanging out at truckstops

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