Wondering if anyone else notices a definite difference running fuel additive and what they use. It’s been a few tanks since I ran any and I had to fill up anyway so I bought a bottle of my goto, Howes. I went a little heavy on the dosage, eyeballed out maybe 50% more than it calls for? I guess it’s been long enough running without that the startup was noticeably different at idle, quieter. Was it just wishful thinking, am I wasting money? Or is it actually making a difference?
Never noticed my 6.0 running quieter from any fuel additive, oil additive for sure. I run Archoil in oil and fuel
Stanadyne Lubricity formula definitely helps with smoother running and a bit with mileage. You only need a tiny bit if you follow the instructions
I got a definite improvement by using an injector cleaning additive ONCE. Ran the tank to near empty, dumped in the recommended amount and then drove long enough to get the dosed fuel into the engine.
But since then it’s been anti-gel and low temp additives.
@Colby
This is the proper way to do a DIY injector cleaning! Run the fuel tank as close to empty as safely possible and dose the near-empty tank with a high concentration of the cleaner. Then go give it all the onions out on the highway with some lower-gear pulls to really flow some fuel.
I do this to my gas-powered cars with two bottles of Techron. It’s far more economical than paying a shop $300 for an injector cleaning.
In an old 7.3 IDI I do notice a difference running some additives. ATF definitely changes the engine sound but I think it actually drops the power just a hair, but I could be wrong. My preferred additives are either Optilube XPD or Stanadyne. Some years back a bunch of additives were tested for lubricity improvement only and Bio-Diesel came out 1st, Optilube XPD 2nd, Diesel Kleen was towards the bottom, Howes was even worse than Diesel Kleen. As far as anti-gel properties I have heard nothing about a better or worse product. My reason for using a lubricity additive is because my fuel injection system was designed based on old formula diesel not the ULSD that is “dry” by comparison. Supposedly refineries add a lubricity package to their diesel fuel but who knows for sure. Aside from the extra lubricity I really doubt the additives do much, maybe, who knows? I’m a big believer in the occasional “Italian tune-up”, which is to drive the engine real hard and make it work. I suspect a lot of diesels never get driven hard enough or too many short trips around town.
I only use additive for the anti gel part. The rest I don’t really care. I always get a kick out of the guys that claim they could tell their truck immediately runs quieter or smoother or whatever as soon as they change the oil or add magic juice to the fuel. I always figured it was just wishful thinking.
@Kirby
When I ran cetane booster in my 1997 Passat TDi, it definitely quieted the engine clatter.