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Are fuel additives necessary?

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Old 11-17-2010, 12:34 AM
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Are fuel additives necessary?

I've noticed a number of people put additives in their fuel and was wondering if those are necessary and for what purpose they're added.
Does the low sulphur fuel now being used cause problems with the cummins engine and if so, do additives alleviate those problems? I've also heard rumors that the fuel is going to no sulphur.
If the additives are necessary, what works the best and why?
Old 11-17-2010, 06:53 AM
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It's on the fence here. For every person that swears by it, there is another person that says it's snake oil and has never used it.

The ULSD was causing some minor problems in the older trucks, from what I understand, but it's been a while since I heard anything like that.

I have not heard the 'no sulfur' thing yet.

I like to use power service in the gray bottle, or some two stroke from wal-mart. TCW-3. For your application in Canada, I'd go with some PS in the white bottle.
Old 11-17-2010, 08:52 AM
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I've been using gen 49 d made by power up. Its made in Calgary. There website has the results of the lubricity tests posted. I think it works well, had a sticky injector and no problems for over a year now since I started using it. Should be pretty easy to find in BC too. I get it from my local UFA.
Old 11-17-2010, 11:18 AM
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My primary concern is water in the fuel, so that's why I use a combination of additives. I plan on getting a good fuel/water separator for both my trucks in the future but will still use the additives as additional protection even after their installed.


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Old 11-17-2010, 11:58 AM
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Should I use an "anti gelling" additive? I allways used it in diesels years ago, but went to a gas for few years, now back to diesel.... Question being, with diesel feul today, is it nessescary to use an anti gelling additive for the winter months?
Old 11-17-2010, 12:30 PM
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I have always used an additive that contained an anti gelling additive. The winters here in Alberta can be brutal at times.
Old 11-17-2010, 01:04 PM
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Originally Posted by turbo69
Should I use an "anti gelling" additive? I allways used it in diesels years ago, but went to a gas for few years, now back to diesel.... Question being, with diesel feul today, is it nessescary to use an anti gelling additive for the winter months?
They use a winter blend for those of us in areas with cold enough winter temps to have issues, you will notice along about late Oct your mileage will drop off a bit because they are adding some kerosene to the fuel to lower the gel point.

I still use anti gel additive just to be on the safe side and believe that lubrication on fuel systems is a good thing that you can't get too much of
Old 11-17-2010, 01:15 PM
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Yeah i am here in about central WI, so i am going to continue to use the additive during the cold months for sure, its getting about that time of year, thanks
Old 11-17-2010, 02:16 PM
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I don't know that additives are really that necessary, but I understand that when the sulfur is removed from the fuel, some of it's lubricity is lost - and since there are components in the fuel system that are lubricated by the fuel, I add a quart per tankful of 2 stroke oil just for the extra lubrication.
Old 11-17-2010, 05:22 PM
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I use an additive, but cant say if it does anything for me or not.

As far as f/w separation, be sure not to use a additive with alcohol. The best way to keep water out of the injectors is with filters.
Old 11-17-2010, 07:15 PM
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I used the SuperTech TCW3 for a year I guess then ran out andnever bought any more. Truck doesn't seem to miss it.
Old 11-17-2010, 07:45 PM
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I have seen winter blend #2 gel in the pump hose at -40.. So I run power service "White" in the winter..

Summer I use P.S. "Silver" or Lucas.. Start a log of fuel millage and try some.. You will notice the power and millage increase and probably a quieter truck.

Keep in mind when they went from Low Sulfur (500 PPM) diesel to Ultra Low Sulfur (15 PPM) diesel some of it's lubrication qualities were stripped..
Old 11-17-2010, 08:24 PM
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-40 is DAYM cold! Thats 100% #1 temps!
Old 11-17-2010, 09:46 PM
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Originally Posted by AH64ID
-40 is DAYM cold! Thats 100% #1 temps!
That's so cold that:

You keep a bucket of hot water on the stove to get the dogs off the fire hydrant..

The snow turns blue..

The penguins migrate south.. So do the intelligent people, the rest hang around and complain about the cold

The 6.0 power jokes were dying quick that day.. I've seen - 58 man that sure takes the fun out of things..
Old 11-17-2010, 11:22 PM
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I use this, but only in winter....
Diesel Cold Flow Improver


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