The dealer was trying to tell me to add something for diesels that is put out by NAPA to help clean the fuel injectors getting dirty due to the low sulfur diesel on the market now.

Is this a known problem with the diesel?

This is my first diesel. 2 yrs ago they replaced one fuel injector-engine was idling rough. I had been staying in northern NV that winter and did get the heater cord set up which was a great asset.

Now back in TX and was told need to add to fuel. Bad enough the diesel is going higher but??? what gives?

Thanks.

 

Anything with injecters needs a cleaner every once in a while. You have a lot of choices there, so do a little research and pick one you can find easily. I do it about 2-3 times a year in everything I own.

The sulfer in diesel fuel provided lubrication for things like the injecters and the pumps. Some people advocate use an added lubricant all the time.

In the winter, you need something to prevent gelling. Plain diesel fuel will start to gel at around 15*F. Winter blend fuel is usually good to about 0*F. If it's much lower than that, you definatly want to add something to the fuel or you won't be going very far.

 

since Nov. i've been using power service diesel additive (white bottle). ive been doing what the bottle says 4oz. to 10g of diesel fuel. i also plug in the block heater around eight pm. in the morning it fires up great, no wait to start light and no rough idle. yesterday we got a bad ice storm and truck was covered with ice, once i was able to get in the truck i fired it up and she ran great. And about two weeks ago we got -12 here and using the power service and the block heater the truck ran great and the wait to start light didnt even come on.

Now like .bob said when they switch to the lower sulfer our pumps are getting less lube. So im hoping this power service lubes the pumps and cleans injectors like it claims

 

I gotta say, I've recently been adding PS Diesel Kleen to my truck and the noise level is definitely noticeable. Assuming it's providing some lubricity and quieting the injectors some. Runs smoother also. Can't say I've proven my fuel mileage has increased any..

 

Thanks for the replies. My truck is 2007 4x4 crew cab with 8 ft bed and auto tranny. If I drive 60-63 mph, the fuel mileage is 20-22 hiway. Then if driving thru cities, it goes down or if > 65 mph. It sure seems STUPID to change the fuel to one that still HAS to have additives.. but then no one ever accused the govt of having common sense.

I am plugging the cord in when weather is cold and yes, the glow plug light is usually not on. Otherwise it is 15 miles before any heat comes thru when in severe cold such as when I worked in northern NV. It always started there before I got the added cord so could not have it plugged in but with cord no problems. It is approaching the 100,000 mark-mostly highway miles. Now back in TX with lack of long stretches of cold weather, I tend to forget to plug it in.

 

Rarely use any additive.

I had 406,000 on my injectors before changing them.

I have about 540,000 on it now.

 

interesting.. we have the same truck but mine is inferno red. Nice to hear how many miles you are getting with it!!!

 

It has been a good truck.

I expect it will last to over a million. Does not use oil or smoke.

 

That's pretty common with all diesels. The big advantage to a diesel engine is it's efficiency. Since heat is wasted energy - a by product of energy conversion - the diesel doesn't make much heat. Gassers produce a lot of heat quickly, and that's because of their relative inefficiency.

The best thing you can do to get heat a little faster is use a winter front cover. With temps below zero, I get heat in about 10-15 minutes. Full heat in about 20 minutes.

 

.bOB,

At what point (temps?) do you take the winter front on & off. Thanks for the report. I noticed in our recent cold spell here in Corpus Christi (as far south as Tampa) that my usual warm-up exercises were of no help. It was just too cold. Have also seen, somewhere, that IAT below 60F is the contributing problem on lowered cold weather mpg drop. Still looking for confirmation on that.

 

When it's consistantly above about 40* or so in the morning, then I take it off. Until then, I just leave it on all winter. If it's going to be warm in the afternoon, then I'll open the flaps.

 

used to use cleaners, 2 stroke oil, u name it.....stoped 3 years ago havent had any probs since, i just dont believe the hype anymore.

 

Use a better fuel filter like the 5 micron Baldwin PF7977 to help slow down on the amount of dirt and gunk that can get to your injectors and help them live a longer life. BTW not all aftermarket fuel filters are the same, I would only use one of these 3 filters the Baldwin PF7977, the Donaldson P550800 or a Fleetguard Stratapore. BTW many aftermarket filters don't meet the current factory specs of being 7 micron or smaller and some don't even filter out water and that is a big must have in a fuel filter.

 

I bought my 05 with 22K miles and after a few months begin to experience an exceptionally bad idle after it was started. This would last usually less than 60 seconds then it would smooth out. It would do it when the engine was totally cold after sitting overnight or after cranking it up in a rest stop on the Interstate. It probably happened 10% of the time...or less. After it stopped and I pulled out the engine ran perfect and had tremendous power. Since it was under warranty the dealer replaced two injectors, claiming that his diagnostic readout showed two weak cylinders. After sitting at the dealership nearly all day while this was completed, I cranked it up to leave and it did it again!! The mechanic was shocked. they ordered a wire harness that feeds power to the injectors and after another trip to the dealership and several hours in the waiting room I left with a little more confidence. A day or two later it happened again!!! I called the service manager at the dealership and he was clueless, "just bring it back in" he said. I don't like to drop off a vehicle and leave because this gives them the option of not even raising the hood and then receiving a big warranty claim against the manufacturer. I really like to keep a presence in the garage and occasionally walk out and check the progress. I feel this makes them nervous and possibly keep things on track.

While reading this and other forums on diesels I begin to think about additives. I have never been a believer in "snake oil" in any vehicle. While at Wal-Mart that afternoon I noticed they sell Diesel Kleen Power Service in two different types and three different sizes!! Now hold on!! Wally don't stock their shelves with "non sellers" so this stuff must be popular. I bought the grey bottle and followed the instructions for the initial treatment.
THIS TOTALLY CORRECTED MY PROBLEM!! Since then I use the recommended dosage of 8oz per 25 gal on ON EVERY SINGLE FILL UP and to this date I have not experience one single time of a rough idle.....ever. It has now been two years and 26K miles later!! I'm a believer.

 

the diesel mech at my local dodge dealership said to use stanadyne fuel additive about 2 or 3 times a year to keep the fuel system clean.

so far i have not been able to find that product except at large diesel engine repair shops. Dealership may sell it.

He also told me to buy (dodge brand) fuel filters for the best service,
I have been researching fuel filters but so far have not determine any brand comparisons.

I always used wix filters on my gas truck, but do not want to mess up the fuel system on the diesel with a cheap filter.