Fuel additive poll

[DavidG]

I’m sure this question has been asked hundreds of time. What is the “best” diesel fuel additive? I guess “best” is a subjective word. Also your application might be different i.e. injector cleaning, anti-jell, lubricant etc. so “best” for the job at hand.
I though I would put a poll together with some of the seemingly most popular additives. Keep in mind this is a short list. The poll can only have up to 10 items. Also understand that there are multiple products for each manufacture listed, so pick the one you use and comment on it.
I have been using Power Service Diesel Fuel Supplement +Cetane Boost, better known as Power Service white. I plan on trying Stanadyne Performance when the jug of PS runs our.

 

[Lightwave]

I'm currently using the Primrose 4033 Biodiesel fuel additive (available from www.avlube.com, and no, I don't work for them or derive any income for sponsoring their products, although they do have a number of good items for TDIers). I usually run approximately a B20 blend, so I wanted to use a good biodiesel winter additive. I usually use Power Service Grey in the summer just because it's so readily available.

 

[SUNRG]

i always run a minimum of B33 (33% biodiesel) and always use 8oz of Stanadyne - but i just checked Stanadyne above since i guess B33 is more than an additive dose of BioD.

 

[GMARK]

I've been using Stanadyne Performance Formula since my TDI was new. It's now at 56k.

 

[IndigoBlueWagon]

I didn't use anything for the first 60K, started using Powerservice for the next 20K, and since 80K have used 12 oz. ashless 2 cycle engine oil and 4 oz of Powerservice (grey in summer/white in winter) with each fill.

The 2 cycle oil does quiet down the injection pump and I can get it in these nice 16 oz. bottles at Wal-Mart for about a buck each. Gallon's $6.00 so I refill the little bottles with the combo of additives and keep them handy so I can grab one when I go fill, or put a couple in the back when I go on a trip.

I use the PowerService because I don't want to be stranded in Vermont or Maine with gelled fuel lines. And the 2 cycle oil will, I hope, compensate for lousy fuel (I buy at lots of different stations) and lenghten the rotary pump life. But it may only be helping me worry less.

 

[rhi]

I'm a noob and have only had my PD Golf since September, but I'm using 4oz/tank of Redline Diesel Fuel Catalyst in warm (>40F) weather, 4oz/tank of Power Service white in cold weather.

Subjectively, I think the car is a little smoother at idle with the Redline DFC.

FWIW...
Rich

 

[TomatoPie]

In my new '05 Passat TDI, I got some PS Silver and some White when it was new in August. I was pretty regular about adding it, then I tapered off. We're now in PA winter and I've added the winter white stuff just one time.

I've pretty much concluded that this stuff does no harm, but it's a waste of time and effort and money. It runs the same, gets the same mileage, make the same noise no matter what brand of fuel I buy and with or without additives. I won't be buying any more additives. Unless you work up some convincing empirical evidence, I figure that perceived benefits are jsut that -- a matter of perception.

I drove my last 2 gas powered vehicles over 200k without additives, without any fuel brand loyalty, and I plan the same for my TDI.

Owning and operating a car is not that complicated. Everything you need to know is in the owner's manual.

 

[centsless]

Stanadyne PF has kept me out of trouble for many miles. Last month during the cold snap I kept running trouble free while 2 friends had their diesels gell.
Not using an anti gell in the north east, and assuming the fuel wholesaler cut the fuel correctly, is asking for a gelling problem. Locally, improper wholesale mixing took out a whole school bus fleet and a bunch of excavation equipment.

 

[03_01_TDI]

I mix up some soyshield with powerservice. And now I am using some Stanadyne. In the past I've used Amsoil.

IMO just use something-- keeps things clean and working better.

 

[SUNRG]

i speculate...

that if Stanadyne was available at Wall-Mart & common auto parts chains and PowerService was primarily available via dealerships & mail order the results of this poll would be very different...

 

[DavidG]

i speculate...

that if Stanadyne was available at Wall-Mart & common auto parts chains and PowerService was primarily available via dealerships & mail order the results of this poll would be very different...

I bet you are 100% right. From what I've seen, Power Service is available at Wal-Mart and major auto parts stores, I've even see it at the corner store.

I'm surprised at this point how close PS and Stanadyne are!

I wish the "Other" votes would chime in and tell us what they use.

 

[burpod]

i voted for stanadyne (use performance forumula), since that is what i've been primarily using and plan on keep using. i really wish it were availabe at automotive stores and/or dealerships in 1/2 gallon jugs.. i know i'm paying more to use stanadyne when there are half-gallon jugs of power service readily available. in warmer weather i might switch to amsoil cetane booster if it's cheaper than the stanadyne. in warmer weather i also normally run b20 when i can get it.

 

[WDM]

Stanadyne gave me a better, smoother-running car than I bought from the dealer. Never tried PS and don't mind driving 20km to pick-up another case of Stanadyne.

 

[gevofame]

Started using Power Service white when the weather turned cold. Don't want to take any chances with gelling. I'm interested in trying other additives but so far I haven't found anything besides PS products at auto parts stores in the area.

 

[LNXGUY]

2 ounces of synthetic 2-stroke Premix (Silkolene Pro2) Quiets things down alot. I don't bother with any anti gel stuff, the Sunoco Gold up here is treated and I have never had a prob with gelling.

 

[centsless]

i speculate...

that if Stanadyne was available at Wall-Mart & common auto parts chains and PowerService was primarily available via dealerships & mail order the results of this poll would be very different...

Interesting point----

My Stanadyne comes straight to the front door via UPS...... WAY more convenient than dealing with the local Wall-Mart !!!

 

[daedalus]

Using Standyne since I bought my TDI new in August. Why Stanadyne? Because VW says so in the owner's manual. Not a very good reason, I admit, but I'll stay with it so long as the warranty is in effect.

 

[PDJetta]

I use Power Service, but lightly. I'll add about 2.5 ounces per fill-up.

I actually think if you use a 2 micron fuel filter, additives will be less necessary for protecting injection components from wear.

--Nate

 

[Smokerr]

"
Owning and operating a car is not that complicated. Everything you need to know is in the owner's manual"


Phew, I wish I had that sort of bliss to get me through life (well its ok until you drive off the cliff, then its a real shock).

There are a whole of of issues to a diesel ownershp not covered by the book.

You might want to check your intake manifold at 10k and see how much crud is in there.

 

[Tin Man]

"
Owning and operating a car is not that complicated. Everything you need to know is in the owner's manual"


Phew, I wish I had that sort of bliss to get me through life (well its ok until you drive off the cliff, then its a real shock).

There are a whole of of issues to a diesel ownershp not covered by the book.

You might want to check your intake manifold at 10k and see how much crud is in there.

Intake manifold problems, like others reported, are not as common as you might think. They are also found in turbo gasoline engines from time to time, so they have less to do with the engine being a diesel and more to do with the turbo system.

If you believe additives have no potential problems, you are also dreaming. It wouldn't surprise me if additives contributed to intake manifold problems!

Some of us do fine with just following the OEM manual. Thank you.

"There's a sucker born every minute" P.T. Barnum

TM

 

[TomatoPie]

"
Owning and operating a car is not that complicated. Everything you need to know is in the owner's manual"


Phew, I wish I had that sort of bliss to get me through life (well its ok until you drive off the cliff, then its a real shock).

There are a whole of of issues to a diesel ownershp not covered by the book.

You might want to check your intake manifold at 10k and see how much crud is in there.

I've been driving for over 30 years. I know more about cars than most folks, and less than most folks on here. But if I went to a web forum on the gasoline powered Acura Legend that I drove for 215,000 miles (and sold it running like new), I'd get tons of well-intentioned advice on the fuel additives I needed to minimize wear or to thwart a particular problem. Most would also tell of gasoline brand loyalty. Folks that pay this much attention to their cars generally get top performance and reliability, but I doubt that it derives from the fuel or the additives -- it is because these are people that devote a lot of attention to their vehicles.

After 30 years, my formula is simple: Do most of the recommended maintenance (figure out what part is just to enrich the dealer and omit it). Change all fluids and the timing belt as the manual says, and the car will give you 200,000 miles easily. Don't buy no-name fuel, but Citgo and Amoco and Exxon and Texaco -- it all works fine.

I'm open to suggestion, though -- show me some empirical evidence of the value of an additive, and I'll use it.

And if we get a really cold snap, I will use the anti-gel stuff. Right now, we are in the 30s and the car starts and runs like it was gas powered.

 

[cp]

I'm open to suggestion, though -- show me some empirical evidence of the value of an additive, and I'll use it.

I've never seen any. It's all antecdotal.

 

[Bob_Fout]

I've never seen any. It's all antecdotal.

Whitedog did some tests last year with his 04 PD and additives. I don't remember what the results were though. Doooggieeee, chime in, would ya?

 

[WDM]

I've never seen any. It's all antecdotal.

You're right, my car drove anecdotally far better shortly after I started pouring it in.

 

[Tin Man]

You're right, my car drove anecdotally far better shortly after I started pouring it in.

Yeah, you need to be careful about that.

 

[cp]

Whitedog did some tests last year with his 04 PD and additives. I don't remember what the results were though. Doooggieeee, chime in, would ya?

A sample size of one car with one driver would not be conclusive. You need to test in enough vehicles to be able to statistically compare those using additives and those not. In addition, you need drivers who don't know whether their vehicle has the additive or not.

 

[DavidG]

Power Service is ahead but is it due to easy accessibility?
I'm ordering some Stanadyne from tdiparts and see if it make any difference.

 

[Oil_Burner]

I use 4 ozs or Amsoil cetane booster and 4ozs of Amsoil additive.
I also use 4ozs of Stanadyne.

Every tank since new.

90,000 miles and counting.

TB

 

[BudsBug]

"
Owning and operating a car is not that complicated. Everything you need to know is in the owner's manual"



Phew, I wish I had that sort of bliss to get me through life (well its OK until you drive off the cliff, then its a real shock).

There are a whole of of issues to a diesel ownershp not covered by the book.

You might want to check your intake manifold at 10k and see how much crud is in there.

This is true if you don't own a VW in NA where all the part numbers are dealer type stuff if the TDIclub wasn't here I would have put in the wrong antifreeze at least and ATF in the PS. I was wondering do I use type F or DextronII

 

[milehighassassin]

i speculate...

that if Stanadyne was available at Wall-Mart & common auto parts chains and PowerService was primarily available via dealerships & mail order the results of this poll would be very different...

I can say that is why I use Powerservice, VERY easy to obtain. DO you think the Stanadyne is a better product?

I read that so many people on here use it so I turned into a sheep and used it myself.

Your thoughts on the two?