Startron - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

markg612 · #1 08-21-2006, 03:04 PM

Who's tried it and what's been your experience?

I've done my 3 diesels and I can't believe how smooth and quiet they run, and how smoke free the exhaust has become. I'm not much at all on fuel additives to start with and I've tried both RedLine and the other MB approved compound with negligible results.

Startron came to me by way of a friend that was a marine engine user (diesel) that couldn't believe the performance and "drivability" and fuel economy improvement, AND, how as time passed, it continued to get noticeably better.

I drove our 190D 2.5Turbo from Chicago to LA last week. 2800 hard driving, high altitude 80+ MPH miles with no break and constant use of Startron. We averaged 31.5 MPG at the afore mentioned speeds. We left Chicago with a weak cylindered, noisy smoking beast and arrived with literally a purring cat. I know this car would pass CA emissions testing today. It wouldn't have before we left Chicago. The miss is gone, the smoke is way gone, the noisy diesel snap is gone, the power is amazing.

The product is an enzyme, and not some whiz bang potion. For those of you that understand the chemistry of active enzyme process, StarBrite has stumbled on to this discovery, pattened it, and is fighting hard at marketing it to the automotive community.

pawoSD · #2 08-21-2006, 04:39 PM

Mixing in a bunch of marvel mystery oil will do that too....as will a few gallons of Sams Club Clear Fry oil....

Old300D · #3 08-21-2006, 05:57 PM

I'm happy with B100.

DieselAddict · #4 08-21-2006, 08:26 PM

Some people have reported that it's really great at getting rid of fungus in the fuel tank. I've tried one bottle and I can't say that I noticed any difference in anything though I didn't have any fungus problems. Personally I like Amsoil's Cetane Boost and Diesel Fuel Additive Concentrate the most.

Hatterasguy · #5 08-21-2006, 08:56 PM

I didn't notice much of an improvment in anything really, made the SD's fuel a bit more clear. What I do know is it doesn't kill the algea that well, soon as I started using Biobor again my filters loaded up with the stuff. I suspect as a maintence additive its probably fine, but for bad algea problems Biobor is still the most affective.

TheDon · #6 08-21-2006, 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DieselAddict

I've tried one bottle .

a quart? i think those that have used it to clear out the fungus have used the whole jug that treats 250 gallons.. i know i do with the power service "Treats up to 100 gallons" hmm i only have 10 in the tank... meh.. -pours it all in-

markg612 · #7 08-21-2006, 10:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hatterasguy

I didn't notice much of an improvement in anything really, made the SD's fuel a bit more clear. What I do know is it doesn't kill the algae that well, soon as I started using Biobor again my filters loaded up with the stuff. I suspect as a maintenance additive its probably fine, but for bad algae problems Biobor is still the most affective.

I personally think Biobor is an excellent product for killing microbiological growth in diesel and Jet fuel even over Prist as a blended additive. I work business jets as well and if you don't kill what is that lives in kerosene with constant and continuous treatment, it gets out of hand, now. I've never had the issue in my cars thank god.

My motivation was improved engine performance over the fungisidle qualities of the product. I guess that comes as a bonus. I must say that time seems to work in favor of improved performance, again, because we're dealing with an enzyme process and not simply adding chemicals. The process requires time to function.

TMAllison · #8 08-21-2006, 11:08 PM

Diesels are exempt from CA smog tests.....

markg612 · #9 08-21-2006, 11:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TMAllison

Diesels are exempt from CA smog tests.....

As Johnny Carson used to say to Ed, Humm, I did NOT know that!

Hatterasguy · #10 08-21-2006, 11:18 PM

I wish I still had Brian's G tech. I'd average a few 0-60 runs with Startron and then without. Lets see what the numbers say!

I think a lot of these additives have a bit of a placibo affect. I have run a bunch of them in the SDL and didn't notice a difference. Then again the injection system in that car is in top shape.

I remember when I wasted my time and money diesel purging the SD. The DP came out of the return line just as clear as it went in, no change in performance.

Now I just pull the injectors, have them tested and fixed if need be. It gets results, I like results!

pmari · #11 08-21-2006, 11:19 PM

HUMbugs do not live in the fuel. They live in the water / fuel interface. So get rid of the water and you remove their enviroment to utilize hydrocarbons.

Startron is mostly a surfactant that disperses the water, the enzyme part then breaks up the biofilm mats that ends up clogging filters. HG did you use the product as the label suggests? I doubt it since you plugged filters. Startron (XBEE) will work and not clog filters. As stated in the original post, Startron claims to do more than just get rid of critters.

Boron based Biobor (Jf.) will just kill the critters. It only works in the fuel and does not dissolve the biofilm matrix. The reason for clogged filters.

Personally I prefer pesticide based ValvTect for the quickest most complete killing power. It works in the fuel as well as the water. It also claims to dissolve biofilm and not clog filters.

Bottom line, keep your tank dry with the regular use of a dispersant and you'll have no HUMbugs.

As for the pole...I give the product a thumbs up. I have not checked their milage increase claims though.

Hatterasguy · #12 08-22-2006, 07:09 PM

My point is I used it and it didn't kill the crap in the tank. My problem was pretty bad, I should probably have drained the tank. Biobor killed what Startron did not.

dannym · #13 08-23-2006, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hatterasguy

My point is I used it and it didn't kill the crap in the tank. My problem was pretty bad, I should probably have drained the tank. Biobor killed what Startron did not.

You stated that as soon as you started using Biobor again your filters clogged. To me that means the Biobor didn't work well.

I had a serious fungus problem once. I was only able to do 100 miles on a filter, if that. I drove from Tampa to Orlando and by the time I got home I was only going 45mph at WOT

Startron cleared it right up through 1 tankful of treated fuel. I can state without a doubt that Startron works.

Not to speak bad of Biobor, I have never used it. I looked all over for it but couldn't find any.

Danny

riethoven · #14 08-23-2006, 09:51 AM

My cousin has a 37' Sea Line with twin Cummins turbodiesels and swears by the Starbrite. He says the engines run smoother and smoke less since he started using it.

I thought Starbrite was known for Teak refinishing and maintanence products so I figured it was something that they had OEMed for them. There has been alot of talk but no real specifics as to Starbrite's claims. What do they say it is supposed to do?