Fuel additives

jeffman164 · Mar 19, 2007

I know that there are pros and cons about fuel additives but I must ask. Do the majority of you use the additives or not. Why or why not. What kind. Now that ULSD has been out a while and hopefully we are starting to get out of the guinea pig stage - was wondering how everybody felt. From some people, I hear that you don't need it and then some say that the pumps and injectors need it for lubrication. Iv'e been using Howes and get some of the strangest looks at the pumps almost as if I'm out there burning Benjamins right in front of their faces. THANK YOU !!

LDB · Mar 19, 2007

I use Howe's Diesel Treat all the time. I get it from a distributor not far from my daughter's home. It costs about $5.60 per 64 ounce bottle. Those are the ones marked $11.99 at the truckstop. For less than half the price I wouldn't think about not using it. I can treat 4 fills per bottle so it adds $1.60 per tank side when I fill. That's 2 cents a gallon for 80 gallon tanks. I can't say absolutely it's helping me xx% but I know for sure it doesn't hurt anything and for only about 1/4 cent per mile wouldn't think of not using it.

Leo Bricker, 73's K5LDB, OOIDA Life Member 677319
Owner, Panther trucks 5508, 5509, 5641
Highway Watch Participant, Truckerbuddy
EO Forum Moderator
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Support the entire Constitution, not just the parts you like.

TeamCaffee · Mar 19, 2007

For the most part most drivers don't buy their own fuel so you will get strange looks. They are also the same ones that blow by you going down the interstate and wasting fuel they didn't buy.
We use Power Service in the gray bottle mix 1/2 oz per gallon and this will gain us 1/2 to 3/4 better mileage. We have found that you do need to measure and use the recommended amount or it can be detrimental to your fuel mileage. We feel the Power Service pays for it self. We buy our Power Service at Wal-Mart and buy several at a time.

highway star · Mar 19, 2007

I also use Power Service, for the added lubrication and for dispersing water.

jeffman164 · Mar 19, 2007

Ok. Have to ask this one. If water is dispersed - where is it dispersed to ? Is that the 8th wonder of the world or what?

highway star · Mar 20, 2007

It's the same as using something like HEET in your car. It breaks the water up into more of a mist that can be more easily mixed and burned.

iheartfaye · Mar 25, 2007

If you have any questions at all about fuel additives, I know the man who can help you more than anyone else. He is an expert on fuel additives.

www.michaelwaltrip.com

Sorry, I couldn't resist. Go Mikey!

Broompilot · Mar 28, 2007

I posted two or three weeks ago. Fueled up TA near Albany, NY instant blue and white smoke, soot, and a LOUD pinging noise when I let off accelerator and than re accelerated.

Stoped in Erie PA picked up a gallon of Lucas fuel treatment, put in as requred. Smoking lessened soot vanished, pinging not as irritating. Next 50 gallons spiked it a little. GONE, FIXED smooth!

It is as far as I can determine three weeks later, the 15 parts per million not lubricating or what ever. But keeping this in the fuel as suggested HAS WORKED WONDERS.

I have tried the Power Service could never tell any imporvements.

The biggest improvment I have seen 10 mpg on winter blend fuel. I only get that in the summer months with NO WIND. The truck usually averages just over 8 in the winter to maybee on a good run 9 but only once from El Paseo to NY did I get 10 with a strong wind at my rear and sunny days all the way from PU to drop.

This has gotta say something.

bryan · Mar 28, 2007

Hi

I wasn't using it and ended up with algea in the tank.It clogged up the fuel filter.Long story short it cost me 3 days off work,half a tank of fuel,3 fuel filters and 1 guart of algicide.And I was lucky, the neighbor kid had to buy a new fuel tank,injectors,pump and the cost of disposal of the fuel.You can buy alot of Lucas for a $1000.00.

Rocketman · Mar 28, 2007

<<the neighbor kid had to buy a new fuel tank,injectors,pump and the cost of disposal of the fuel>>

LOL...that'll teach him to siphon fuel out of your tanks!

Sorry, just couldn't help it...that's exactly where it sounded like that story was headed when I read it..LOL

unorthodoxneon · Apr 9, 2007

I was going to make a post on this asking if anyone has noticed anything. I went and bought the PS (white bottle w/ anti gel since its cold in apr in CT). I've started to read about the Cetane rating and figured why not give it a try. I've noticed that the truck does run alot better and actually has alittle more grunt to it, not sure on how its doing for fuel mileage since i find it to be a little hard to measure accurately MPG.