Howes Diesel Conditioner - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

ajb · #1 05-31-2002, 04:39 PM

When checking out the "Big Rig" truck parts stores here on PEI, I came across Howes Diesel Conditioner Products. It seems most of the "truckers" seem to use this stuff on PEI. Since I can't get Redline or Power Service stuff here I thought I might give it a try.

Anyone out there ever use this stuff?

What product should I use? - It seems that the "Meaner Cleaner" - next to having a tougher sounding name

would do more that just the Diesel Conditioner.

Thanks

Aivars

#2 05-31-2002, 11:18 PM

I live in South Carolina and most of the truck stops on the interstate sell Howe's. Most of the truckers I ask point to it. I have been using it for 2 years. The first time I poured it in, it made a big difference in the all around performance of the engine. I have had very little black smoke come out of my tail pipe since. However I, am going to be stitching over to Vegie oil because of how much smoother the engine enjoys running. anyway Howe's is good stuff. CD in SC

#3 06-01-2002, 04:24 AM

Yup !
I used it for years on my 6.9 International engine and found it very good.
A lot of tow truck drivers here have either the 6.9 or the new powerstroke by Ford and they swear by it.

Jim

#4 06-01-2002, 04:26 AM

Hey Headstill !

Is this the first mention of Bio-Diesel I've seen on this list or are you referring to something else.

jim

dabenz · #5 06-01-2002, 07:31 AM

If you have to use Howes then the Meaner Cleaner is the stuff to use. Similar performance to Power Service Diesel Kleen.

#6 06-03-2002, 09:27 AM

Anon-E-Mouse,
Yes, I am reffering to biodiesel but at 100% homemade search under biodiesel, or under the member under " fryerpowered" it should give you all the info that you need. CD in SC

mplafleur · #7 06-03-2002, 11:44 AM

Headstill,

Are you going to be making your own? I want to do the same. I am moving in a couple of weeks and we will be building a garage at the new house. I want to design in whatever I need in the new garage to make biodiesel.

#8 06-03-2002, 12:30 PM

Go Biodiesel.
Done lots of looking into it already.
Just waiting until someone in my neck of the woods gets into it commercially. I don't think I have the patience for doing it myself and I've only got two diesels.
If I can find 10 or more people in my immediate area, there might be a chance for some kind of cooperative.
I don't want to build an extra tank in the trunk and the effort of lugging wvo back from the local fry shop and cooking it seems like too much trouble for only two cars.
I wonder how many others here are interested. I count three from this thread already.

Coupla links for those others interested.

The FOOLPROOF way to make biodiesel
http://www.veggiepower.org.uk/page210a.htm

Two young entrepreneurs from rural Missouri are making a trip to the West Coast in a Ford pickup that has been modified to run either on conventional diesel or on waste cooking oil.
http://www.greasel.com/

SECTION 1: Straight Vegetable Oil (SVO) as Alternative Diesel Fuel

Biofuels 101: Why Vegetable Oil Fuels for Diesels Make Sense.
http://www.biofuels.ca/

Hope these links show up right .
If not, they can be copied into the address window of whatever browser.

jim.

zachv · #9 06-03-2002, 12:39 PM

O.K. I have done "some" reading into this biodiesel and have a very elementary question:
Can I just dump a gallon of vegetable oil in my cars tank? We do not have biodiesel commercially here in NJ so I am just looking for an option to clean up any deposits in my fuel system. Would I just be better off with Howes or Diesel Purge?
Thanks.

McRoth · #10 06-03-2002, 01:07 PM

Hi All,

Just thought I'd drop in some of my experience with biodiesel. I've been running it in my 1982 240D for the past couple of months with Great success. I'm making it myself in a processor I built myself, also. Someone mentioned having to add a second tank, you don't have to do that unless you want to run SVO, or streight veggie oil. Biodiesel goes through a reaction with methanol and NaOH to strip the glycerin off the oil & leave the biodiesel. SVO works good too, but you have to put in a heated tank, you use engine coolant to heat it up, & a solenoid to switch between regular diesel or biodiesel and SVO. You can run biodiesel in any diesel engine, no mods required. The only problem I had was clogging a few fuel filters when I first started running it, it cleans out all the diesel sediment & sludge from the bottom of your tank. I ended up pulling & cleaning the tank.
It's pretty easy to make for yourself & you can do it without any special equipment. I made a big processor because I like to build things & I didn't want to have to make it every week, plus I may end up selling some one of these days.

Here's a couple of good links for biodiesel:

The BEST discussion group for Biodiesel: http://biodiesel.infopop.net/2/OpenTopic?a=cfrm&s=465094322

National Biodiesel Board: They are a good source of information, but a very tilted toward the Soy producers, there is no mention of using waste veggie oil: http://www.biodiesel.org/

My site, pictures & a description of my processor: http://www.emeraldisleforge.netfirms.com/Biodiesel.html

#11 06-03-2002, 01:22 PM

Your Question . . .

"Can I just dump a gallon of vegetable oil in my cars tank?"

NO !

A little more reading is in order.

and this

"Would I just be better off with Howes or Diesel Purge? "

YES !!

I'm terribly sorry now that Bio-Diesel was mentioned on this particular thread.
It has absolutely nothing to do with the other products that clean injectors etc.

Headstill mentioned BioDiesel in passing and I took him up on it, that's all.

I think we had better start a new thread on Bio Diesel if we are to continue any discusssion so as not to confuse people.

jim.

McRoth · #12 06-03-2002, 01:38 PM

Actually, biodiesel does clean your fuel system out. It has solvent properties & cleans out all the buildup from your fuel system and injectors. Mine is running much better now. I'm pretty sure you can put some veggie oil into your diesel tank, I'm just not sure how much. Check on that infopop site about that.