What additives do you use?

[metalmulishamunky]

I've had my '04 Stroker for about 2 weeks now and I've been thinking about running a Cetane booster and possibly a injector cleaner through it.

What additives are you guys using? Which ones do you guys like and which ones should I stay away from? I've always used Lucas in my gas engines but how is thier diesel treatment?

also has anyone tried the additive that RPB makes?
Rolling Big Power

[SmokeyWren]

Originally Posted by metalmulishamunky

What additives are you guys using?

I use all the additives that Ford includes in my Owner's Guide, PSD supplement, and Scheduled Maintenance Guide.

Since I changed to the maintenance free gold coolant several years ago, I no longer have to add supplemental coolant additive (SCA). With a 2004 model, your truck came with the maintenance free gold coolant. However, Ford now says you should test your coolant periodically to be sure it doesn't need more SCA. By now, your Ford dealer should have the test strips required to test the coolant.

The only additive my manuals require is friction modifier only if I have limited slip differential. Since I have LS, I use that one.

But none others. Zero, zip, nada. Most oil and fuel additives are snake oil. If you live in cold country, the refinery mixes "winter blend" fuel with the additives you need. Only if the weather turns much colder than forecast might you want to keep a bottle of diesel fuel anti-gel in the toolbox. Stanadyne makes a good one called Winter 1000.
Winter 1000 - Stanadyne

[Big Mac]

I have seen many questions on this forum asking the same thing whether it be for oil or fuel. And I have to agree with Smokey( not that I have ever disagreed with any of his posts or replies, Smokey knows his sh@@t) and I am not a scientist. But I do work at a major oil refinery( no names given here I think major is good enough) tech center. You as a consumer can be assured that any product that has ever been made, has been thoroughly tested to see if, that aftermarket product or any product, that would make the fuels or oils superior to what we supply, would already be in the oils and fuels we make available to the public. So to your question, if you have money to burn and it makes you feel better go for it. Just remember that the oil companies have a big interest in what you use in your truck or car and a lot more capitol than the aftermarket companies and if there is a wonder additive out there that is any good you can bet that they have BEEN THERE DONE THAT

[catch&release]

Originally Posted by Big Mac

But I do work at a major oil refinery( no names given here I think major is good enough) tech center.

if there is a wonder additive out there that is any good you can bet that they have BEEN THERE DONE THAT

Hmmmm.....maybe you can help me out here. Every single place I fill up at, the foam that comes to the filler is white, and the fuel smells more like gasoline than diesel.......winter/summer doesn't matter. I get about 15-17mpg with just about everybody's "white foam" diesel. This last March I filled up at a Conoco in Divide, Colorado. The foam was a bright yellow and the fuel actually smelled like diesel should. I got 20mpg on that tankfull with city/highway mixed driving. Filled up three more times at that station and got 20+mpg every time. Then the next two times I filled up there, the foam was white like everywhere else, and smells like gasoline. Mileage back down to 15-17mpg. I called Conoco's Grand Junction distributor (where this fuel comes from) and asked one of their techs about this, and it was like talking with a brick. They didn't have a clue.

Any ideas as to why those four fillups the foam was yellow instead of white......and what the difference may be?

[fordstang93]

The Cetane levels in diesel at almost all US gas stations is off by 8-10 of what Ford says the cetane number should be for there engines. If you want to prevent issues such as soot build up in your engine, and the likely event of an EGR failure i would highly reccomend to use the FMC Cetane boost. It cost $6 on line at dieselfilters.com.

Here is the link: [PM-22-A] Motorcraft Diesel Cetane Booster and Performance Improver(PM22A)

The other thing that I recommend and have been using is AMSOIL motor oil.

[fordstang93]

Originally Posted by catch&release

Hmmmm.....maybe you can help me out here. Every single place I fill up at, the foam that comes to the filler is white, and the fuel smells more like gasoline than diesel.......winter/summer doesn't matter. I get about 15-17mpg with just about everybody's "white foam" diesel. This last March I filled up at a Conoco in Divide, Colorado. The foam was a bright yellow and the fuel actually smelled like diesel should. I got 20mpg on that tankfull with city/highway mixed driving. Filled up three more times at that station and got 20+mpg every time. Then the next two times I filled up there, the foam was white like everywhere else, and smells like gasoline. Mileage back down to 15-17mpg. I called Conoco's Grand Junction distributor (where this fuel comes from) and asked one of their techs about this, and it was like talking with a brick. They didn't have a clue.

Any ideas as to why those four fillups the foam was yellow instead of white......and what the difference may be?

Never seen yellow foam....in CA. I always see the white foam...but it always smells like diesel. Sorry i can't help more than that.

[bobsherrie]

Originally Posted by fordstang93

The Cetane levels in diesel at almost all US gas stations is off by 8-10 of what Ford says the cetane number should be for there engines. If you want to prevent issues such as soot build up in your engine, and the likely event of an EGR failure i would highly reccomend to use the FMC Cetane boost. It cost $6 on line at dieselfilters.com.

Here is the link: [PM-22-A] Motorcraft Diesel Cetane Booster and Performance Improver(PM22A)

The other thing that I recommend and have been using is AMSOIL motor oil.

Can you provide info from Ford on the actual cetane requirement? I have a hard time believing that most diesel is 8-10 numbers off. That is a significant amount.

[NEVERSWEAT7]

I am fortunate. I get to read all this stuff here and do my own research.. a blind , double blind back test...whatever the hell all that means

The proof is in the numbers. Hard calcs and truck computers. When I have guys whom use the Schaeffer Dieseltreat tell me that their rigs are getting better mileage and if they miss a dose it goes down with numbers to prove it.. well , I am not going to tell them they are full of ****. I got better mileage too but I am prejudiced.

That being said.. if the cetane at stations is a lower number, we use an additive. That is what we do. If it is not well we are up to 4 points better which hurts not one thing..plus the moly additive is damn skippy lubrication. There are many whom say with ULSD you have to use an additive. I believe that side. Way too many folks have lost an injector.. the fuel is getting the blame clogging the injectors, not enough lubrication not enough detergent perhaps.

Hell even the lead tech at Sunrise Ford where I am buying my new 450 said it would be a good idea to run it. I will run it again. I have used the additive since LSD came out in Ca about 6 years back?? I have not had a problem and in fact blown very little if not any smoke at all, and I was chipped.

We lost 4 Detroit 8v90s (injectors on individual rigs) on the job...fire apparatus. The head mechanic for Detroit Diesel told our head mechanic to start using an additive. A fuel problem. Do you know how big those damn things are? and to get one to clog? I don't get it. But now we use a supplement.

My cousin is an area super for Cummins out of Spokane, started as a mechanic and worked his way up a pretty long ladder. He also says to use a supplement.

anyway, whatever you chose to do.. those that do run one.. sleep better at night.. I know 30 that do. Try it, if it is not for you or you don't realize the gains.. can it.. no biggy it is 6 bucks.

[Smiley1]

For info on Fuel addatives look here:

Fuel Addative Lubricity Study