Lightman: you do NOT want an emulsifier unless you are set up with pre seperators, filters, etc like on a storage tank. Demulsifier disolves water into microscopic particles which cannot cause harm. An emulsion, has by definition large particles of raw water and diesel as a mixture which will harm a high pressure injection system.
JMHO

 

I use Hammerdown #1500. Started using it at 7,000 miles when I got the dreaded loud knocking sound at idle, in gear. Several tanks later, engine got very quiet and has been that way since. Now at 10,500 miles.

 

Stanadyne PF with a 2-3 oz shot of Lucas top end & injector cleaner every other fillup.

 

Redline 85.

 

Tried all of the stuff mentioned on last three trucks including 2003.Found NO gains in anything other then less money in my wallet.Don't brother with any additives any more.A couple of my friends with lots more miles then me have never used a additive of any sort.Use to buy feed suplements for my horses.Stopped that also.Same as my truck,noticed NO differance."NOTE" I'd be real leary of adding ATF to the fuel.ATF has some additives etc.in it and may do damage as far as scoring and wear.This has been discussed on TDR many times over the years its NOT designed to go through injectors and high psi diesel pumps.If lots of water noticed in fuel filters I might/will add some diesel additive but until then I'll keep my money in my wallet.

 

Aaron - I appreciate the comment but you have the whole thing backwards. You are on the right path, you are just totally backwards You do not want a DEMULSIFIER unless you have preseparators, filter,s etc. Demulsifiers CLUMP water together. Emulsifiers disperse water into microscopic, lubricated droplets, so they can safely pass through the system. Your definition of emulsion in relation to additives is where you are going wrong. Emulsifying fuel additives disperse water into an overall emulsion, where demulsifiers separate the water from the fuel into clumps, in hope it will be caught by the separator.

People that use stanadyne either truly trust their water separators, or simply haven't researched far enough into additives to realize what they're putting in their tank. My guess is a lot fall victim to Stanadyne's fancy marketing, similar to that of Amsoil. They really make you believe you're putting the best thing in your tank possible.

The reason Mercedes Benz endorses one additive only for use in their cars - redline DFC, is because of this water dispersal. MB diesels, including my '99 do not have factory installed water separators like our trucks do, they just have simple spin on fuel filters with no drain. Since there is no abillity to trap demulsified/free water, they prefer the safety of an emulsifying additive, such as redline.

 

Ok, so which is better? DFC or 85? It looks like they're pretty similar from Redline's website, but I haven't had time to read the tech info yet.

 

Good question tdupuis. The descriptions and PDF's are so similar between the two products, that I contacted Redline with that very question last week. The only difference really noted in the pdf's is that the 85+ doesn't contain a smoke supressant. At first reply, they gave me some nonsense abou they were very 'similar' etc. I emailed them back saying 'give it to me straight'...what are the exact differences etc.. So they finally emailed me back with the truth - the two formulas used to differ slightly, but since have 'come together' and are the exact same product in different bottles. So what we're left with is a little bit of marketing. 85+/DFC are the exact same product, and both are offered in a 'winter' version that contains antigel.

 

I haven't seen any water in my filter canister since I start driving this truck 80,000 miles ago.
Must be 'cuz I'm picky about where I get fuel.

 

Lightman -

So waht is your take on AMSOIL

 

Thats because the stock filter/separators are virtually completely ineffective in stopping water. The only time they will stop water is if there is a relatively huge slug of water coming through the system. I've done fuel analysis testing before and after these fuel filters, and they are virtually worthless as far as water separation is concerned. Where you fuel does have a definite impact on the water content in your fuel, however all fuel has some amount of water in it. Fuels have a saturation point, where they will no longer hold water in suspension, and it will become what the industry calls 'free water'. At this point it's big enough to cause damage, and you hope it's big enough to be caught by the fuel filter. Demulsifiers like Stanadyne create this condition intentionally, putting total faith in the water separating abilities of our $15 fuel filter. Sounds nice in theory. I like additives like redline and primrose because they emulsify ALL the water in the fuel, the suspended and any free (typically fuel from a good source doesn't have free water) water, and disperse it into tiny little droplets that pass through your system safely. Powerservice just leaves the water alone, and it passes through your system untouched. While I think the powerservice additives offer no real benefits, I can definitely say they are safer than stanadyne.

 

Ok, armed with that knowledge I'll see if I can find either of the Redline additives in winter formula since it's getting colder out. Thanks Lightman!

Also, being somewhat paranoid about these injector problems and having heard a few noises that disconcert me, today I added 16 oz of PowerService Diesel Supplement and filled up the tank. Too early to tell if there's really a difference or not.

 

I've never seen the winter redline formulas for sale , but redline informed me that if I couldn't find them, that I could order directly from Redline.. so if you can't find it locally, give redline a call..

 

http://www.cleancitiessacramento.org...904Cummins.pdf

The file appears to be a Cummins presentation on biodiesel. See below for some specifics....


Warranty and use of water-emulsified diesel

Due to many unresolved durability issues encountered by Cummins customers using water-emulsified diesel fuel,Cummins disapproves the use of water-emulsified dieselfuel

The use of water-emulsified fuel does no affect Cumminsmaterials and workmanship warranty

Failures caused by water-emulsified diesel or other fueladditives are NOT defects of workmanship and/ormaterial as supplied by Cummins and can NOT becompensated under the Cummins’ warrantyWater –Emulsified Diesel Fuel
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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1sttruck, water emulsified diesel is NOT what we're discussing here That's a whole different beast! I personally don't think I'd ever try it. I've run biodiesel since 2001 with no problems though.