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  #1  
Old 11-06-2013, 08:11 PM
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Location: Oregon
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Diesel Fuel Additives

The can of worms is now open.

I have long been a proponent of ONLY fuel in the fuel tank, ONLY oil in the crankcase, ONLY coolant and water in the correct proportion in the cooling system, ONLY ATF/gear lube/whatever is required in the transmission etc. If you don't trust the additive package in your fluids, BUY HIGHER QUALITY FLUIDS. If you have a leak, FIX IT. Engine overhaul-in-a-can sounds too good to be true because it is.

This mantra has served me well through all my years of driving and wrenching, but this is my very first diesel and I'd like to pick the brains of those more experienced than I.

My best buddy drives semi truck in this area and says that the only thing they add to their fuel is antigel, and then only below 15 degrees. He wasn't sure what antigel it was exactly as his company buys it by the 55 gallon drum and the shop passes it out to drivers in generic unmarked 1gal jugs that they refill as needed.

Should I be adding biocide? How often?

Oregon has a B5 biodiesel mandate, which should take care of any of my lubricity concerns.

Obviously I should be using antigel below 15 degrees(infrequent in my area), which one is a good solid choice?

Should I carry Diesel911 for emergencies?

What else do I need to know?

Thanks all!

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  #2  
Old 11-06-2013, 08:43 PM
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As I understand it, fuel companies in cold climes have a winter "mix", this includes anti gelling agents.

I have Power Service (silver bottle) on hand for use in filling a new fuel filter, but in the garage, not in the trunk.

Here in the mid Atlantic, not necessary.

If you have fuel contamination, use bio-cide as per the manufacturers direction.
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  #3  
Old 11-07-2013, 02:11 AM
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Some additives fill a niche, some have a purpose, some provide placebo effect. Blanket rules are least effective imo although they do allow for the least complicated approach.

With that said, if you get Power Service in the white bottle you'll probably never need anything else. I recently watched a movie (The Hunter) filmed mostly in Oregon and was amazed at the tropical appearance of the background (Silver Falls State Park). Seems like a fairly mild climate. Most of the diesel you use will probably have a cloud point that's just below freezing (32 F) and a cold filter plug point around 5 deg F. Additives designed to affect the temperature at which wax crystals form can lower those temperatures significantly. PS claims petrodiesel cold filter pour point with their additive can be as low as -40deg F. Biodiesel is less affected by this product but at the 5% mandated level you see it's not likely to be an issue.

The Cummins bulletin I linked to in the 2 stroke oil thread contains info about identifying and treating bacteria in diesel. I had one episode with microbes that thrived because of moisture in the tank. They created acid (I believe it was hydrochloric) as a byproduct of digesting the diesel. The acid was destroying injection pumps in a van with a 6.5 diesel from the inside out. Expensive and time consuming to repair. I now instruct our drivers to buy fuel from the highest volume stations which are least likely to have large accumulations of moisture in tank and once every six months or so I treat the fuel in the diesel vans as insurance. Biocide is expensive so I would work to develop a treatment schedule that uses the minimum effective amount. If you use Veggie oil or start producing your own BD you'll likely want to use biocide more often. Power Service sells biocide as well.
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Last edited by 1project2many; 11-07-2013 at 02:26 AM.
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Old 11-07-2013, 08:10 PM
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Awesome, thank you! I'll get reading.
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  #5  
Old 11-09-2013, 02:03 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by OM617YOTA View Post
Should I be adding biocide? How often?
As needed.
Quote:
Obviously I should be using antigel below 15 degrees(infrequent in my area)
Probably not needed, but if you feel more comfortable using it, then do.
Quote:
which one is a good solid choice?
I suspect it doesn't matter much -- just pick a major brand. The bigger question might be whether you want a product that emulsifies the water, so it goes through the injection pump, or demulsifies the water, so it falls out and collects in the tank and filter.
Quote:
Should I carry Diesel911 for emergencies?
I don't. I can't see how it would help, just carry extra of your normal antigel additive -- once the fuel in the lines and filter are gelled, no additive will help you, and before then, you can dose your normal additive as needed for the expected conditions.
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Old 11-09-2013, 07:26 AM
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Diesel911 is an anti water treatment. you only need it when water is KNOWN to be in your tank. it's NOT for antigelling... yes, it will antigel, but that's not what it's for. using it in a non water emergency, is BAD. the white bottle ps is wonderful antigel.
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  #7  
Old 11-10-2013, 01:47 AM
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Thanks everyone. Just bought a bottle of Power Service white bottle, will use it when the temps get low enough. Should handle all my needs.

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