Originally Posted by rmackay

HI there,

I saw a thread on Diesel Kleen and Redline and such. But most threads seem to go off in a tangent. Can someone help me put together a concise set of recommendations? Here are my questions...

What Fuel additivites to you recommend for a 1983 300 SD? I have seen stuff for injector cleaning, water removal, algea prevention, cetane bosster, etc. Which should I use or should I use mutliple?

Under normal operation, additives are not needed. An anti-gel additive should be used when fuel gelling conditions are anticipated. Use fuel system cleaning additives when you have a fuel system problem, Chevron Techron Concentrate Plus is good for that. If the problem does not go away after 2 or 3 treatments, it's time to dig in and fix the problem mechanically. I don't know of any additive that'll effectively clean injectors, only a repair shop can do that.

Do you use these with every tank, every other tank, or other freq?
Only when you have the problem. Stop using the additive when the problem goes away or if it doesn't go away after 2 or 3 treatments.

Do you pour it in before you start pumping fuel or when you are done pumping fuel?
Pour it into a nearly empty tank (preferably when you're at the 1/4 or near the R mark on the fuel level gauge), then fill up.

Are their any additives for other fluids that I should be using such as Oil, Trans, Pwr Steering, Brakes, Coolant, etc.?
The only worthwhile additive I've seen for coolant is Redline Water Wetter. You add a bottle of it to your cooling system through your expansion tank. When you change the coolant out every 2-3 years, add a new bottle. Don't add anymore in between coolant change intervals. Trans-X for the transmission. Trans-X should only be used to rectify a problem. Don't use additives in the power steering, motor oil, or brake fluid.

I just tried a Gumout brand Diesel Fuel additive, but have not yet noticed any improvement. I also found that Castrol makes a Diesel Oil. Is that recommended or stay more with a 15W50 or similar rated oil?
How long have you been using the Gumout? You cannot determine a change in operation quickly. You must accumulate data before, during, and after using the additive to see if it works or not. That can take months, maybe years to be done properly. As for oil, any good diesel rated oil (usually says something like CD or CF on the API rating on the back)WITHOUT additives should work fine. A diesel rated oil that's XW-30 is too light. Make sure it's XW-40 or XW-50. If you want to be really picky about it, use an oil from the 229.3 or 229.5 list found here... http://www.whnet.com/4x4/oil.html



Thank you,

Robert