fuel additives

Hi Dave & Maz,

Plenty of divergent views on this one.

I think any additive in fuel or oil(s) is a waste of money.

The exception would be for a fuel biocide to prevent algae in the fuel tank.

The trick is to do your best to source your fuel from a common/reputable source, and be very careful in the bush when decanting from cans etc, ie use a filtered funnel etc.

Rgds,

Rob.

http://www.exploroz.com/Forum/Topic/4716/Diesel_fuel_Additives.aspx

This might seem strange but I have been adding 2 stroke oil (for water cooled 2 strokes) to my fuel at the rate of 200:1 for about 6 months. The engine runs cleaner with only about 25% of the soot that used to land on my garage wall on start up. The engine seems to run smoother but maybe I am hopefull on that one. It is a Toyta 4.2 diesel with a/m turbo with 220kms.

For what it's worth my diesel mech (who I trust) told me to use an fuel additive to lubricate the rings etc in an injector pump now that the oil companies by law have cut the sulphur content of diesel fuel however I don't know how they affect a common rail diesel.
Older injector pump diesels do suffer from leaking pumps and at about $1200 for a reconditioned one it's a cheaper option to use an additive to prolong its life.
Rob.

Hi Dave and Maz,

If fuel additives you mean these 'miracle' ones supposedly designed to offer better fuel economy or an engine rebuild in a bottle, leave them on the shelf. Some are injector cleaners, with proper filtration and water seperation your injectors should be fine. They may have a service life according to manufacturers reccomendation for service anyway.

We use on our vessel, 'fuel-set', its from a WA company but we use a UK importer for when in the Med. (no affiliation apart from a consumer/customer)
Have always used this on our vessel, though many, many vessels do not, without any apparent problems.

This fuel additive is designed to combat the 'bug' which breeds and lives in fuel. (plenty of info on the net on fuel 'bug') as far as economy or power, no it doesnt.
Fuel bug can be disastrous when using on the MTU main engines of our veeh bum buidl up remossel.
With Racor fuel filters/water seps and secondaries we only use it for the 'bug'
We use it when treating fuel which is stored over the winter time onboard. We also use it when bunkering at 'dodgy' places, Turkey/Tunisia etc.

Used at regular dose rate of 4000:1 or high dose at 2000:1 as a single dose treatment.
It does help to clear alot of the 'gum' build up on fuel manifold/pump when used on a regular occasion. (can be used petrol or diesel)
As far as using on the cars, for 50/100 litres fuel, your using mililitres of the stuff only. Our vessel burns just shy of 1000 l/hr cruising.
I did use on my old ford sierra, 1985 1.8 model. Nearly killed the engine with the gum build up removal from the carb, had to strip down the fuel system. I think I got a bit heavy handed with the dosage.

The general consensus on the forum here is that most 4wd users/long distance travellers dont use anything. It depends where you buy it from and how good the fuel is. We have a fuel sample and analysis taken every fill bunker, so we know when we may have a fuel issue.

Most on the road fuel stations have good fuel turnover and good storage facilities, thoguh the bug can be anywhere.

If you have a few hours, have a read of this.

http://www.freel2.com/forum/topic878.html
I agree with Iah H, 2 stroke oil in the diesel definately quitened my engine (2.7 Merc) and gave a little better fuel economy.
Graeme

Many thanks for all your comments guy's,
i will have a look at the links that you have posted, although my engine isn't no where near noisy, the 2 stroke oil seems like a good idear

again
many thanks
Dave