While the country’s diesel fuel supply is generally reliable, it is not always consistent. When constructing and certifying diesel engines, manufacturers take into account quality swings. In general, they oppose or advise against the use of fuel additives.
“We do not advise Volvo truck owners to add additives to their diesel fuel.” If additives are required, they should be added at the gasoline supplier terminal, according to John Moore, Volvo Trucks North America’s powertrain product marketing manager.
Last year, Cummins became the first company to publicly support a fuel additive, endorsing two Power Service products, Diesel Kleen + Cetane Boost and Diesel Fuel Supplement + Cetane Boost.
“Cummins engines are designed, developed, graded, and built to certify and function efficiently on commercially available diesel fuel,” according to Josh Hahn, Cummins Filtration’s coolants and chemicals business leader. “However, Cummins acknowledges that there are low-quality fuels on the market that don’t always meet ASTM D975, and that these fuel concerns can cause a range of problems for customers, including poor lubricity, low cetane numbers, low-temperature operability issues, and injector deposits.” When pour-point depressants, wax-crystal modifiers, or de-icers are required in cold weather operations, fuel additives may be required.”
“In recent years, diesel fuel quality has become increasingly critical as engines evolve and the diesel fuel manufacturing processes change,” said Roger England, director of technical quality and materials engineering for Cummins, when the Power Service alliance was announced last year.
That’s easy to comprehend when emissions regulations tighten and engine technology advances, resulting in tighter mechanical and engineering tolerances. In summary, because fuel supply uncertainty is unlikely to improve, engine manufacturers such as Cummins are taking steps to level the playing field.
Meanwhile, Detroit Diesel says it has no additional requirements beyond current ASTM specifications, but recommends that customers take steps to ensure they are utilizing high-quality gasoline.
“While Detroit does not directly advise any brand or type of fuel additive, we recommend Top Tier diesel fuel since it addresses many of the flaws in ASTM regulations addressing diesel fuel quality,” says Jason Martin, HDEP thermodynamics and fuel map management manager at DTNA. “Top Tier is a voluntary retailer program that addresses fuel stability and lubricity, as well as detergency, water, and particles – factors that help sustain the fuel system’s performance over the engine’s lifespan, which is a contributing factor to ensuring top engine performance.”
In North America, Top Tier diesel is available from a variety of vendors. “Because shops may also offer non-additized diesel fuel or diesel that does not satisfy the Top Tier regulations,” the website warns, “always verify the dispenser.”
Are diesel fuel additives worth it?
When discussing a potential client’s needs with a salesperson, you’re taught to ask questions that follow a succession of connected themes. What are your objectives? What obstacles are you up against that might be preventing you from achieving your objectives? What are the repercussions of doing nothing to address these issues? What will they set you back?
These questions will be asked because they will help us get to the heart of the matter. What exactly are you attempting to achieve, and how much is it worth to you to succeed?
These questions are important to ask whether you’re servicing your air conditioner or choosing a diesel fuel additive.
The Right Answers
You can’t truly respond to a question like that “Are diesel fuel additives worth it?” you might wonder if you don’t know what you want it to do. And there are numerous additives that perform various functions. A hospital that saves emergency fuel for future use has a strong motivation to ensure that the fuel is in good working order, since if it isn’t, it will cause difficulties that will cost a lot of money. So, when people inquire whether it’s worth it to use a diesel fuel additive in their saved fuel to ensure it works in an emergency, the answer is almost certainly yes. Because there is no diesel fuel additive that costs more than a fraction of the price of the repercussions of not utilizing it. Failure to provide this answer could result in tens of thousands of dollars in losses.
You’re probably not a hospital administrator (though if you are, you know what we’re talking about). Whether you have a fleet of diesel buses or simply a single VW diesel car, these questions must be addressed. What is it worth to you to maintain the status quo?
To keep their diesel cars in good shape, most fleets employ diesel fuel additives. To improve mileage. Reduce your maintenance costs. The value of reaching these kinds of goals can be rather considerable, especially when contrasted to the cost of the diesel fuel additive they employ. Businesses do not make use of “STP “one shot” bottles or something similar. They employ concentrated diesel fuel additives, which might cost three or four cents per gallon. When the worth of the advantages is weighed against the expense of the addition, the response is a loud Yes. Diesel fuel additives are well worth the investment.
And, happily for you, as a consumer, you have access to the same commercial-grade diesel fuel additives that these corporations use. It is not necessary to spend ten dollars a tank to cure your diesel fuel. It might cost you a buck and a half if you use a concentrated diesel fuel additive. That is, you will receive the same response that they do.
How often should you use diesel fuel additive?
- For best performance, add Diesel Kleen +Cetane Boost (silver bottle) if the temperature is above 30°F. To ensure peak diesel performance, this Max HP Formula is infused with cetane, detergent, and lubricity improver.
- Add Diesel Fuel Supplement +Cetane Boost (white bottle) for winter operability if temperatures are below 30°F. This Arctic Formula will keep your fuel from gelling and your fuel filter from icing.
- If your vehicle won’t start or get power in the cold, call Diesel 911 to reliquefy gelled fuel and de-ice frozen fuel filters.
- To remove water, scatter impurities, and stabilize fuel for long-term storage, use Clear-Diesel Fuel & Tank Cleaner.
- To destroy bacteria and remove remaining water and pollutants, use Bio Kleen Diesel Fuel Biocide and Clear-Diesel Fuel & Tank Cleaner.
Can diesel additives damage your car?
No, Redex products are completely safe and will not harm or hinder your vehicle. Redex solutions are designed to give a dependable engine-cleaning solution that will remove hazardous deposits from your fuel system while causing no damage.
Can fuel additives damage your engine?
Even though most gasoline additions are safe, Trotta advises against using engine cooling system additives that claim to remedy leaks. According to her, these products will only work momentarily on little leaks, will have no effect on larger leaks, and if used excessively, could harm your car’s mechanics.
Q: Does injector cleaner work on diesel engines?
Yes, injector cleaner can be used on diesel engines if the system is appropriate. Make certain it says you may use the formula with diesel. If you use biodiesel, make sure it addresses ethanol concerns. Many cleansers may be used on all sorts of engines, but choosing the wrong one can result in issues.
Q: How often should you use diesel injector cleaner?
If your car is getting up there in mileage, aim to use a fuel injector every 1,500 miles. You can stretch it to 3,000 miles if you have a newer vehicle. Fuel injector build-up is unavoidable, so don’t push it any further. The sooner you deal with it, the better.
Q: Can you use too much diesel injector cleaner?
While most gasoline injector cleaners claim that adding too much won’t hurt you, proceed with caution. The required concentration is stated on all of the containers. Look at the amount of fuel it’s supposed to treat and follow the directions. This manner, the detergent build-up won’t create damage, negating all the job the cleaner could have done otherwise.
Q: How long does it take for an injector cleaner to work?
It’s a frequent misunderstanding that the outcomes are instantaneous. The cleaner removes water within a few minutes of driving, however it takes longer to remove the deposits. The cleaner will take full action after a week of regular driving. Keep track of when you use it and how it affects your gas mileage at the start and after a week. The treatment was successful if you detect a difference.
Q: What are the signs of a clogged fuel injector?
An engine that won’t start or is difficult to start, a lower MPG (indicating lower fuel economy), increased hydrocarbon emissions, and non-firing cylinders are just a few of the warning indicators. Also, if you open the hood of your vehicle and see traces of diesel on the spark plugs, you have a clogged fuel injector.
Q: How does a diesel injector cleaner work?
Most cleaner fluids work by mixing with diesel in the fuel tank, then sending it down the fuel rail, injectors, and into the combustion chambers via the fuel pump. The cleaner breaks down solid particles into soluble bits and cleans any traces of rust in the tank throughout the operation. The remaining cleaner liquid is blown out the exhaust system of the car.
Q: How often should I clean my diesel injector?
Before you start having problems with the engine or injectors, you should first clean your fuel injector. Deep cleaning of the diesel injector should be done at least once a year or every 30,000 kilometers. However, the age of your car, your driving circumstances, and the type of fuel you use all have a role. The suggested clean-up interval for your fuel injector may be found in your vehicle’s owner’s manual.
Q: Should I use fuel additives to boost the cleaner?
After using the injector cleaning, fuel injector additives can be utilized to improve the performance of the fuel injector. The additives are placed into the fuel tank to extend the life of the gasoline, prevent build-up or corrosion, and lubricate the injectors. As a result, you should clean the deposits with a gasoline cleaner and then apply fuel additives to assist keep the fuel system cleaner for longer.
Do fuel additives really work?
They may help you avoid difficulties with your fuel injectors and buildup in the future. Fuel additives, on the other hand, may not immediately enhance your vehicle’s fuel economy after just one tank. Additives can help clear out those deposits and save you money on future car maintenance.
Does diesel fuel need a stabilizer?
Diesel fuel does not last indefinitely. High-quality diesel fuel may be securely kept for up to 6 months without additives, which means that if you have a diesel truck in storage, you will ultimately need to apply these chemicals. Diesel fuel is a petrochemical made from carbon. The diesel will begin to oxidize if left for an extended amount of time, causing hydrocarbons to react with oxygen in the tank. Deposits form, which can harm fuel lines, injectors, and other system components. As a result, storing for more than 30 days necessitates the use of additives, notably fuel stabilizers. When using diesel fuel, the user must be proactive because stabilizers must be added when the fuel is new. As a result, when filling up your automobile, truck, or equipment, it’s essential to add Diesel STA-BIL. These additives are recommended not only for your diesel truck, but also for any other vehicles or equipment that isn’t utilized regularly. When storing fuel for long periods of time or for a season, keep all tanks full to avoid condensation. Because there is air in the tank and water in the air, bare interior tank walls will cause condensation.
Diesel fuel, like gasoline, is susceptible to damage if not stored properly, perhaps even more so. Because diesel engines are built differently from gasoline engines, they require a unique stabilizer.
Diesel fuel can collect moisture during storage, which encourages the growth of algae, fungi, and bacteria. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) mandated in 2006 that diesel fuel be lower in sulfur than prior versions. It was created as an environmentally friendly measure to produce less sulfur in the air and hence contribute to better air quality. Nonetheless, without correct fuel additives, it rendered diesel fuel less stable and more prone to cause problems. Overgrowth of bacteria, fungi, and algae jams up diesel engines’ fuel and fuel lines, leading them to run badly, if at all. Thermal oxidation, or when gasoline recirculates throughout the engine and heats up, is another difficulty with diesel engines. “Due to pressure and heat, “thermally stressed” gasoline can cause sludge and sediment to accumulate in the tank.
STA-BIL Diesel Formula removes water from fuel, preventing gumming, corrosion, and bacterial growth. It also aids in the reduction of oxidation due to thermal breakdown (from heating of the fuel).
When putting your diesel fuel engine or diesel equipment in storage, use Diesel Formula STA-BIL, 1 ounce per 5 gallons of fuel. For up to a year, this will keep the fuel fresh. If you need it to last more than a year, you can increase or even treble the dosage, which will last two to three years. If you’re going to use Diesel Formula STA-BIL on a regular basis, you can reduce the dosage to 1 ounce per 10 gallons of fuel.
It’s critical to keep fuel systems clean and clear of particles, i.e “Excellent housekeeping.” For the best historic cars and all vehicles, dry storage is also required. This keeps automobiles from being exposed to excessive levels of humidity, which can cause rust. It also helps avoid too much water in the gasoline tank, which causes condensation in the fuel tank and the rest of the car, as previously discussed. Stabilizers allow you to store diesel fuel for longer periods of time.
When should I add anti gel to diesel fuel?
During the winter, use your diesel fuel anti-gel every time you fill up. Before pumping the fuel, remember to add the anti-gel. This will ensure that the anti-gel is evenly distributed throughout the gasoline. This could indicate that your fuel is starting to gel.