Additives in 07 and newer engines

[CharlesD]

I'm having a curious experience with my 07 Sprinter. It seems that every time I put any kind of fuel additive in, the van will go into limp mode for about 400-500 miles and then will go back to normal. I'm thinking the van just doesn't like additives and will go into limp mode until it's out of the system. Anyone else had this happen?

 

[OntarioVanMan]

What additive you putting in Charles?

 

[CharlesD]

It was Howes.

 

[Turtle]

That's weird. But, if you've been using Howes or some other additive like Power Service nearly from Day 1, then it shouldn't happen at all. If fuel additives is a recent thing, or something that is done on an irregular basis, the additive is likely cleaning things and knocking stuff loose from the injectors, fuel lines and fuel filter, which will cause something along the lines of a "fuel rail pressure low" or "boost pressure low" error, and will throw the engine into limp home mode.

First order of business would be to change the fuel filter and see what happens after that when you add additives.

 

[piper1]

If the additive states that it meets federal rules for sulfur content then you should be OK. What are you getting for a code or are you not getting one (classic new Sprinter limp?).

One thing to note, if your additive alters combustion, the engine ECM may fight it. The new (07+) Sprinters have an O2 sensor in them and if you change the combustion enough the engine will adjust fuel and air delivery until it see's the O2 it wants.

I have run most of the big name additives and some special ones as well, non really did anything for fuel mileage on a consistent basis. One additive designed solely to modify combustion actually made my mileage drop. Still working on that one.

 

[moose]

. Anyone else had this happen?

Same problem here ... with Tabasco

 

[Jack_Berry]

i was told by one fella, you know, that guy, that additives should not be used with the v-6 engine because it was not built with engine additives in mind. curiosly enough he added that the only additive to be used is lucas. huh?

 

[geo]

i use aces2 and have no problems if you want to know more send me a pm

 

[ebsprintin]

Mine is an 07, and it has the opposite problem, the vehicle has to have the additive or the check engine light comes on. Doesn't seem to matter if it is howe's or power service, but it has to have its fix. My first thought is what turtle said.

eb

 

[aileron]

Interesting how for some works one way and for some the opposite.


In my 2004 (I know you guys are talking about NCV3s here) I have never put a drop of additive in the fuel in all 340k miles, but I run biodiesel as often as I can, and it has worked well so far.