CarYoga
New member
Does anyone have any advice about which fuel additive is best for the TDI...VW Jetta Wagon 2005?
Fuel Additives
- Thread starter CarYoga
- Start date
dieseldorf
Top Post Dawg
Re: fuel Additives
I luv it!
What do you mean by "best"?
If you run the search engine, there are 3843 individual threads filled with opinions on additives. Have a look..
Welcome aboard!
I luv it!
What do you mean by "best"?
If you run the search engine, there are 3843 individual threads filled with opinions on additives. Have a look..
Welcome aboard!
CarYoga
New member
Re: fuel Additives
Thats just it, where to begin! But I would think that many of that number of additives have been found to be junk and that a sterling few have survived the test of use.
I picked up Power Service yesterday and feel good about it, but then I thought to look and see what else was on the web. Then I started to ask the question, is Power Service good enough or is one of these products a better choice? Hum!
VW dealer recomends BG248 at $19.00 for two tanks.
Power Service was one of the best websites and they use no alcohol. Much better price too. About $4.00 for 4 tanks.
I live at 7200 feet in the Sandias and the temp is cold in the AM so I am concerned about getting something into the tank.
It sounds like it is important to make a educated decision about which product is "best", most reliable, least likely to do damage and most likely to increase performance.
I was actually surpised to not be able to find a thread concerning this topic already discussed in concise detail. I can't imagine any TDI owner not trying some additives and having come to some prefresences for some reasons.
Hopefully, we can come to some conculsions about what product is "best" for a number of different conditions.
Thanks!
Thats just it, where to begin! But I would think that many of that number of additives have been found to be junk and that a sterling few have survived the test of use.
I picked up Power Service yesterday and feel good about it, but then I thought to look and see what else was on the web. Then I started to ask the question, is Power Service good enough or is one of these products a better choice? Hum!
VW dealer recomends BG248 at $19.00 for two tanks.
Power Service was one of the best websites and they use no alcohol. Much better price too. About $4.00 for 4 tanks.
I live at 7200 feet in the Sandias and the temp is cold in the AM so I am concerned about getting something into the tank.
It sounds like it is important to make a educated decision about which product is "best", most reliable, least likely to do damage and most likely to increase performance.
I was actually surpised to not be able to find a thread concerning this topic already discussed in concise detail. I can't imagine any TDI owner not trying some additives and having come to some prefresences for some reasons.
Hopefully, we can come to some conculsions about what product is "best" for a number of different conditions.
Thanks!
dieseldorf
Top Post Dawg
Re: fuel Additives
well, there are two distinct trains of thought when it comes to diesel fuel additives: To Pool or not to Pool, that is the question and it refers to the additive's technique for handling water.
So, if you'll answer that, I'll try to point you in the right direction.
Also, for the record, I'd like to state that in a perfect world additives should never be necessary
well, there are two distinct trains of thought when it comes to diesel fuel additives: To Pool or not to Pool, that is the question and it refers to the additive's technique for handling water.
So, if you'll answer that, I'll try to point you in the right direction.
Also, for the record, I'd like to state that in a perfect world additives should never be necessary
ofhs93
Veteran Member
Re: fuel Additives
Well in my "personal" opinion...if your looking for an additive that takes care of the gelling issue, adds lubrication, and is very economical, go to your local...or closest truck stop and pickup a bottle of Howes Diesel Treat. My father has been driving trucks for 35 years and he swears by the stuff and claims that it is the only additive he has ever run that he could actually TELL that it was in there. I personally have run it..then went to a different brand that had a cetane booster...I'm getting ready to go back to the Howes once my current bottle of the other stuff is gone...I got better mileage with the howes and to MY ear...the car seems like it ran quieter on the Howes. Again...this is one man's opinion and most people here have not used the Howes...I think it's because of the Trucker..big diesel stigma that it has, and admitedly it does not have a cetane boost in it.....but from MY personal exp. it ran better in my car than the current stuff I'm using. and its WAY cheaper than power service per application...a half gallon bottle usually runs $10-12 at the truck stop and that treats 750 gallons of fuel.
Well in my "personal" opinion...if your looking for an additive that takes care of the gelling issue, adds lubrication, and is very economical, go to your local...or closest truck stop and pickup a bottle of Howes Diesel Treat. My father has been driving trucks for 35 years and he swears by the stuff and claims that it is the only additive he has ever run that he could actually TELL that it was in there. I personally have run it..then went to a different brand that had a cetane booster...I'm getting ready to go back to the Howes once my current bottle of the other stuff is gone...I got better mileage with the howes and to MY ear...the car seems like it ran quieter on the Howes. Again...this is one man's opinion and most people here have not used the Howes...I think it's because of the Trucker..big diesel stigma that it has, and admitedly it does not have a cetane boost in it.....but from MY personal exp. it ran better in my car than the current stuff I'm using. and its WAY cheaper than power service per application...a half gallon bottle usually runs $10-12 at the truck stop and that treats 750 gallons of fuel.
jqian
Veteran Member
- Joined
- Nov 5, 2004
- Location
- Toronto, Ontario, Canada
fuel Additives
this is a tough question, I am running the exactly same car with you though. Stanadyne is the only brand VW recommends. But I found little difference after dosing it to my tank. Probably I will try something else like power service?
this is a tough question, I am running the exactly same car with you though. Stanadyne is the only brand VW recommends. But I found little difference after dosing it to my tank. Probably I will try something else like power service?
gdr703
Veteran Member
fuel Additives
VW recommends Stanadyne Lubricity.
The dealers largely stock Stanadyne Performance. Two different products.
Power Service Diesel Kleen does seem to be good (or better) value for money. As does Howes Meaner Power Kleaner, and Racor Conditioner Plus.
I agree there's other additives that contain Kerosene, and/or Alcohol that you only need to use in specific circumstances.
hth.
VW recommends Stanadyne Lubricity.
The dealers largely stock Stanadyne Performance. Two different products.
Power Service Diesel Kleen does seem to be good (or better) value for money. As does Howes Meaner Power Kleaner, and Racor Conditioner Plus.
I agree there's other additives that contain Kerosene, and/or Alcohol that you only need to use in specific circumstances.
hth.
jqian
Veteran Member
- Joined
- Nov 5, 2004
- Location
- Toronto, Ontario, Canada
fuel Additives
stanadyne lubricity or all performance formula, that's the part confusing me. which one is recommended by vw officially? check this: winterize your diesel
stanadyne lubricity or all performance formula, that's the part confusing me. which one is recommended by vw officially? check this: winterize your diesel
TDiMike
Veteran Member
Long_Range
Veteran Member
fuel Additives
Was real impressed with the slick VW add. Next I'll go out and buy some Castrol oil for my car. Not.
I use Amsoil diesel fuel conditioner in addition to Amsoil cetane booster. Amsoil fuel conditioner and Stanydine separate water as opposed to desolving water. It's the same stuff.
My car runs so good it amazes me. But then I'd be amazed without any additive.
With the Amsoil in the fuel it will pull from 1300 rpm. But then I have learned that will overload the turbo so what's the point.? I use it because it cuts the smoke down to almost none existent. That should help with the intake clogging right? Maybe??
bottom line is it makes the car more fun to drive. I hear people very happy with Howes. I will give it a try some day after I run out of Amsoil. A case goes a very long way in a TDI.
Was real impressed with the slick VW add. Next I'll go out and buy some Castrol oil for my car. Not.
I use Amsoil diesel fuel conditioner in addition to Amsoil cetane booster. Amsoil fuel conditioner and Stanydine separate water as opposed to desolving water. It's the same stuff.
My car runs so good it amazes me. But then I'd be amazed without any additive.
With the Amsoil in the fuel it will pull from 1300 rpm. But then I have learned that will overload the turbo so what's the point.? I use it because it cuts the smoke down to almost none existent. That should help with the intake clogging right? Maybe??
bottom line is it makes the car more fun to drive. I hear people very happy with Howes. I will give it a try some day after I run out of Amsoil. A case goes a very long way in a TDI.
gdr703
Veteran Member
fuel Additives
Thanks for correcting me, VW does recommend Stanadyne Performance.
cheers.
Thanks for correcting me, VW does recommend Stanadyne Performance.
cheers.
gdr703
Veteran Member
fuel Additives
Interesting comment, because it contains Barium compounds according to its msds, one of the few. Barium is touted as being a good smoke suppressant, so maybe it does work from your report.
wny_pat
Top Post Dawg
Who knows what is best? I use K100d. Find info at: www.k100fueltreatment.com
Diesel_rally
Veteran Member
fuel Additives
I just bought Stanadyne today from the dealer and they sold me "Stanadyne One Shot". It's the same stuff as in the tech bulletin. Actually the performance formula does more. Check it out:
http://www.stanadyne.com/new/ppt/showfile.asp?id=719
I just bought Stanadyne today from the dealer and they sold me "Stanadyne One Shot". It's the same stuff as in the tech bulletin. Actually the performance formula does more. Check it out:
http://www.stanadyne.com/new/ppt/showfile.asp?id=719
CarYoga
New member
Re: fuel Additives
At this point, it seems to be Stanadyne taking the lead, due to the endorsemtment by VW. It seems to match Power Service in all respects. Or should I say that PS matches Stanadyne and may be better even. I think that PS may be easier to get at Wall Mart. Stanadyne through speciality shops and some on the internet.
Good general info at this site about additives...
http://www.itow.org/fueladd.htm
At this point, it seems to be Stanadyne taking the lead, due to the endorsemtment by VW. It seems to match Power Service in all respects. Or should I say that PS matches Stanadyne and may be better even. I think that PS may be easier to get at Wall Mart. Stanadyne through speciality shops and some on the internet.
Good general info at this site about additives...
http://www.itow.org/fueladd.htm
dieseldorf
Top Post Dawg
Re: fuel Additives
Greg, not really. Stanadyne causes water to pool so it can freeze up in the winter. PS disperses water so you keep driving when it gets very cold.
Greg, not really. Stanadyne causes water to pool so it can freeze up in the winter. PS disperses water so you keep driving when it gets very cold.
dieseldorf
Top Post Dawg
Re: fuel Additives
Why VWoA selected Stanadyne as the "preferred" product I'll never know. It sure wasn't for its technical merits.
Muggins
Veteran Member
Re: fuel Additives
If you use the 'One Shot' version of Performance Formula from Stanadyne, you use 235 ml. If you use the larger (economy size), you only add 117 ml for the same amount of fuel.
Just an observation.
If you use the 'One Shot' version of Performance Formula from Stanadyne, you use 235 ml. If you use the larger (economy size), you only add 117 ml for the same amount of fuel.
Just an observation.
REKTDI98
Member
Re: fuel Additives
I wish we had somebody with a chem background to do a comparative analysis of these items to see what if any real differences there are. Until then, I am using Performance Formula. Isn't marketing wonderful!!
I wish we had somebody with a chem background to do a comparative analysis of these items to see what if any real differences there are. Until then, I am using Performance Formula. Isn't marketing wonderful!!
toddschwantes
Active member
Re: fuel Additives
Please see this attached link. Stanadyne claims not only to have a water de-emulsifier, but a water freeze suppressant so water should stay liquid and be removed by the water separator.
http://www.stanadyne.com/new/ppt/showfile.asp?id=719
Please see this attached link. Stanadyne claims not only to have a water de-emulsifier, but a water freeze suppressant so water should stay liquid and be removed by the water separator.
http://www.stanadyne.com/new/ppt/showfile.asp?id=719
wny_pat
Top Post Dawg
Re: fuel Additives
I do agree with you 100%
I do agree with you 100%
300sdl
Active member
Re: fuel Additives
Just pulled an injector after 22k on Power Service white bottle at the high (2x) treatment rate. Injector was very dirty, as was the chamber. Just switched to LDL. I've seen engines using that product come apart in clean condition.
Just pulled an injector after 22k on Power Service white bottle at the high (2x) treatment rate. Injector was very dirty, as was the chamber. Just switched to LDL. I've seen engines using that product come apart in clean condition.
gdr703
Veteran Member
Re: fuel Additives
It contains antifreeze, Ethylene Glycol.
SilverTDIPDJetta
Well-known member
Re: fuel Additives
I started out using PowerService All Season. My ran great on the PS. But it smoked... alot. Many times when I was not even on the pedal much. As a result, I decided to try Standydne All Season Performance. It runs just as well on the Standydne, but it hardly ever smokes. Just on cold start up and when I am climbing a long, steady hill.
I started out using PowerService All Season. My ran great on the PS. But it smoked... alot. Many times when I was not even on the pedal much. As a result, I decided to try Standydne All Season Performance. It runs just as well on the Standydne, but it hardly ever smokes. Just on cold start up and when I am climbing a long, steady hill.
Pelican18TQA4
Veteran Member
Re: fuel Additives
Reality of it is, if VW recommends Stanadyne, then Stanadyne is more than adequate as a fuel additive. If it was merely a marketing gimmick, then VW would only be setting itself up for loads of complaints from very unhappy TDI owners. This is especially true since most TDI owners keep their cars for a very long time, much longer than the average car owner.
I picked up a case of 12 Stanadyne Performance Formula 16oz. bottles on eBay for $50. Not bad considering you're only supposed to use 1/4 bottle per tank!
Like many other TDI topics, this is purely a personal preference matter. VW recommends Stanadyne, but there are dozens of other diesel fuel additives out there.
Reality of it is, if VW recommends Stanadyne, then Stanadyne is more than adequate as a fuel additive. If it was merely a marketing gimmick, then VW would only be setting itself up for loads of complaints from very unhappy TDI owners. This is especially true since most TDI owners keep their cars for a very long time, much longer than the average car owner.
I picked up a case of 12 Stanadyne Performance Formula 16oz. bottles on eBay for $50. Not bad considering you're only supposed to use 1/4 bottle per tank!
Like many other TDI topics, this is purely a personal preference matter. VW recommends Stanadyne, but there are dozens of other diesel fuel additives out there.
gdr703
Veteran Member
Re: fuel Additives
Diesel fuel is a commodity that is a mixture of hydrocarbons, and that mixture varies greatly.
Example, Sometimes the aromatic hydrocarbon content of the diesel fuel might be less than 10% (California) or 30% (Alberta)
Aromatics make the diesel smell, they increase the energy content of the fuel, decrease the cetane, make the fuel burn hotter, increase the NOX pollution, etc etc.
Additives work on the fuel, so clearly it depends on the chemistry of the fuel as to what additive is best.
As you say Stanadyne is a good generalist. Other additives have the potential to be better in specific locations.
So its worthwhile experimenting.
my 2 cents
Its a global recommendation.
Diesel fuel is a commodity that is a mixture of hydrocarbons, and that mixture varies greatly.
Example, Sometimes the aromatic hydrocarbon content of the diesel fuel might be less than 10% (California) or 30% (Alberta)
Aromatics make the diesel smell, they increase the energy content of the fuel, decrease the cetane, make the fuel burn hotter, increase the NOX pollution, etc etc.
Additives work on the fuel, so clearly it depends on the chemistry of the fuel as to what additive is best.
As you say Stanadyne is a good generalist. Other additives have the potential to be better in specific locations.
So its worthwhile experimenting.
my 2 cents
Oil_Burner
Veteran Member
- Joined
- Dec 2, 2000
- Location
- Issaquah, Washington, USA
Re: fuel Additives
I use four ounces of Amsoil Cetane boost, four ounces of Amsoil Deisel Additive and four ounces of Stanadyne every tank. I have used those products every tank since my car was new. I now have 75,000 miles on her.
TB
I use four ounces of Amsoil Cetane boost, four ounces of Amsoil Deisel Additive and four ounces of Stanadyne every tank. I have used those products every tank since my car was new. I now have 75,000 miles on her.
TB