What additives do you use, and more importantly, WHY?

This is my first diesel. I think I have the lubricity covered with Oregon's B5 requirement, but I don't want to come out and fire up the beast to head to work one fine morning and find my fuel system a solid brick of butter.

Thanks all!

There should be more than something in the DIY section.
There is an extensive thread with the Spicer Wear Scar test in it.
DIY Repair Links
DIY Links by Parts Category - PeachParts Mercedes ShopForum
PeachPartsWiki: Do It Yourself Articles - Mercedes Vehicles

I use Power Service Diesel Kleen one in a while on the Mercedes mainly to keep the Injectors cleaner as it only drives short distances in City Traffic with an Occasional 10 mile trip on the Freeway.
I use it in the Volvo with every full Tank of Fuel because when I get on the accelerator pedal on the Volvo it gets black smoke. The Power Service decrease that.
I think it decreases the Smoke due to the additive increasing the Cetane. The higher Cetane starts the Fuel burning better when ignition starts.

It is not cold where I live so I cannot comment on the Fuel gelling issue except that I know they have Additives to prevent that and the Winter Fuel is already supposed to have that in it.

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel

Since California diesel is already very good (by US standards) 53 cetane, the only concern for me is lubricity so I use 1oz/gallon of TCW3. Biodiesel is hard to find around here and I'm not going to pay a premium for it. I tried Diesel Kleen but realized it was a waste of money for me. I'll save the rest of it for when I drive out of state.

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CENSORED due to not family friendly words

once a year, (in the spring) I dump a bottle of power service diesel CLEAR into the tank. keeps the fuel gauge working, and the filters clean.

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John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 560SL convertible
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
2005 Dodge Sprinter 2500 158"WB
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!

When I change my fuel filter, I fill the new one with ATF before installing, then 'bout a third of whats left every 3 months when I fill up the tank. (or when I remember).
ATF is (whatever kind of) oil with a VERY high content of detergent, & does its thing nicely in the fuel system. It is all I have ever added.

I add 4 ozs of two cycle oil per fill up.

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1985 Euro 240D 5 spd 140K
1979 240D 5 spd, 40K on engine rebuild
1994 Dodge/Cummins, 5 spd, 121K
1964 Allice Chalmers D15 tractor
2014 Kubota L3800 tractor
1964 VW bug

"Lifes too short to drive a boring car"

I use StarTron.

When changing my fuel filter I usually fill it up with atf and then prime the engine. In the tank I run Stanadyne diesel fuel additive, I have used it in my 240d's and Cummins. I noticed less smoke on startup and overall. I have seen people use 2 cylinder oil in their tank as atf has powerful detergents that have been rumored to start to affect cylinder walls with prolonged use. 2 cylinder oil has the same lubrication abilities as atf but without the detergents. Also twice a year, I do a a diesel purge using Lubro Moly product. The amount of filth that comes out of the return line is incredible.

My engine was getting clunky and getting a case of the shakes.....I have new fuel filters, valves always need adjusting...but I have used in the past seafoam...always got some sort of result....I went and paid 12$ for a can dumped it in the tank and drove for a few miles freeway speed.....man now its quiet and the shakes are gone...just a little hiccup every now and then like it was....no idea of others views....but I like it!

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Is that on the Sticker at the Pump?

If it is 53 Cetane I am curious why the Power Service Diesel Kleen has an effect of raising the Cetane.
There is a clear difference in the amount of smoke on the Volvo Diesel and when used in the Mercedes and the Engine is running but still cold it is not as noisy with the Power Service.
So the stuff must be having some effect.

"California diesel fuel has a minimum cetane of 53" from Wikiepedia. http://www.arb.ca.gov/enf/fuels/dieselspecs.pdf

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel

Can of what???

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel

I always ran the power diesel service(?) stuff that came in a white jug with red lettering, was around $12/gal.

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$60 OM617 Blank Exhaust Flanges
$110 OM606 Blank Exhaust Flanges
No merc at the moment

Seafoam

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I never use snake oil. Here in Australia we have good diesel. All my diesels get regular Italian tune ups. They never get driven less than 20 miles on any trip. A good long hard run makes a big difference.

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Grumpy Old Diesel Owners Club group

I no longer question authority, I annoy authority. More effect, less effort....

1967 230-6 auto parts car. rust bucket.
1980 300D now parts car 800k miles
1984 300D 500k miles
1987 250td 160k miles English import
2001 jeep turbo diesel 130k miles
1998 jeep tdi ~ followed me home. Needs a turbo.
1968 Ford F750 truck. 6-354 diesel conversion.
Other toys ~J.D.,Cat & GM ~ mainly earth moving

Myself as well, but 4 oz per ten gallons.

The cetane rating around here is 40.

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83 SD

84 CD