Fuel additives?

[snakefart]

I know there is a lot of discussion on the www about diesel fuel additives, many think they work, many think they are snake oil. My last diesel, a 7.3l Power Stroke liked 2-cycle oil mixed in, it averaged a (very) little more MPG and it seemed to idle quieter, the exhaust smelled funny though. I added the 2-cycle mainly for lubrication. I managed 300k miles on this truck with zero fuel injection issues, still ran great when I sold it.

What is the general census on our engines?

I tried some of the gray bottle DieselKleen over a few fill ups, 6 - 8ozs per ~14g fill up. I can't say it did much to help anything I could tell. If this is helpful for lubrication and injetctor/pump longevity I do not have any issues using DieselKleen or some other additive. No reason to throw money in the tank if not needed, I already pump a lot of fuel, I have been averaging about 5600 miles a month since I purchased my car (a 2013 6MT with 33k miles at time of purchase). If this car treats me well, I will plan on running it for at least 5 years/350k miles.

 

[torrimac]

i use 4oz white bottle PowerService per fill. Or something close for partial tanks. For me it is all about the lubrication.

 

[japedo]

Yep!
It's like ky jelly for you hpfp

 

[pdt165]

A lot of personal opinions on here, I like the opti-lube line of products.

 

[yatzee]

3 pro so far, so i'll go against.

We've never fun an additive in the 2010 CR and not had any issues. I've never fun it in another of my VW diesels and never once had an injector issue.

I do run it in my old MB - that engine isn't designed for ULSD and needs the added the lubricity (unlike the TDIs)

From what I can tell, the cheap products are exactly that - cheap and watered down. Opti-Lube appears to be the best of them.

 

[TDI smile]

Super Diesel Additive from LIQUI MOLY comes in my Tank every month or so....

 

[ZippyNH]

Since reports of HPFP are not rare, and VW even extended the warrenty on it due to issues. I use some additional additives with every tank...
At this point I am using power service in the gray (summer) bottle....
Price is so little, and seems to be offset by a SLIGHT mpg gain, and slightly better idle.
No harm...and only gain right?! So why not!! Sure the extended warrenty is fairly long...but I hope to keep the car longer, and a fuel pump failure after the warrenty ends might total the car... And if an extra ¢75 per fill up saves it...IMO it is worth it.

 

[snakefart]

Thanks for the insight and comments. I believe I will continue to use the Power Service stuff, as said, it is cheap and can't hurt. If the DPF and the other related emissions stuff were to fall off my car would there be any harm or benefit in running 2-cycle oil? From what I have read, it has very good lubricating properties.

 

[snakefart]

Also, what ratio do those who run Power Service like to use?

 

[sloinker]

I'm tempted to use an additive as I've used PS in past vehicles and the Opti-Lube looks promising. I've actually decided against it for now. VW recommends against it and although I would like to see better lubrication properties than the ULSD provides, I'm unsure the effect on regeneration and component lifetime that may be impacted. The ash load is what I'm specifically wondering about and what impacts aftermarket additives would have on it.

 

[snakefart]

I'm tempted to use an additive as I've used PS in past vehicles and the Opti-Lube looks promising. I've actually decided against it for now. VW recommends against it and although I would like to see better lubrication properties than the ULSD provides, I'm unsure the effect on regeneration and component lifetime that may be impacted. The ash load is what I'm specifically wondering about and what impacts aftermarket additives would have on it.

A legitimate concern. I have no ride what problems it may or may not cause for the DPF, etc. I do know that all of that stuff Will be disappearing from my car soon.

 

[torrimac]

I use the numbers off the bottle.

PS bottle is 80 oz, treats up to 250 gallons. .32 oz per gallon. 14.5 gallon tank, so 4.64 oz on a fill up.

So, I figure I add 1 oz per 1/4 of a tank of fuel I put in. I over dose I'm sure due to the pyramid effect of our fuel gauges.

 

[pdt165]

Not sure if its a mental thing or not, BUT when I miss adding some to my tank I DO notice a rougher REGEN. So to me the low cost a fill (summer+) is worth it.

 

[japedo]

Ya I just use ps as well, and not with the best consistency..
On average I add ps to the tank every second of third tank if I remember.
It's my first Diesel engine, I dont know if I have to or should be using additives.. But a lot of people do, and my engine runs well and sounds healthy

 

[Tornado TDI]

I had my 2002 golf TDI for 13 years and never added anything to it.
Never had a problem with the car.
There seem to be a lot of people who do use additives and recommend them.
I now have a 2015 Jetta TDI, but, have been wondering if I should be adding something to it or not.

 

[pdt165]

I had my 2002 golf TDI for 13 years and never added anything to it.
Never had a problem with the car.
There seem to be a lot of people who do use additives and recommend them.
I now have a 2015 Jetta TDI, but, have been wondering if I should be adding something to it or not.

The engines are a whole different beast between the 02 and the MK6 not to mention the change in fuel to ULSD.

 

[ZippyNH]

The engines are a whole different beast between the 02 and the MK6 not to mention the change in fuel to ULSD.

+1
While tricks like adding motor oil or 2 cycle oil once worked, these newer motors with HPFP and DPF are a different beast...suck tricks will cause MAJOR issues in the more modern motors.....
The fuel is now dramatically different, with many compounds removed to allows catalysts and exaust filters....the unfortunate side effect is lower BTU content, and in many cases less lube...the fuel can actually feel more dry, kinda more like gasoline than oil if you feel "winter" blended fuel...

 

[snakefart]

+1
While tricks like adding motor oil or 2 cycle oil once worked, these newer motors with HPFP and DPF are a different beast...suck tricks will cause MAJOR issues in the more modern motors.....
The fuel is now dramatically different, with many compounds removed to allows catalysts and exaust filters....the unfortunate side effect is lower BTU content, and in many cases less lube...the fuel can actually feel more dry, kinda more like gasoline than oil if you feel "winter" blended fuel...

Part of why I was thinking adding 2 cycle oil might be beneficial, assuming the DPF is gone.

 

[bennybmn]

I can't imagine 2 cycle oil or any of the other DIY additives end up being much cheaper than buying one of the dedicated additives, other than you might already have 2 cycle oil hanging around and it's slightly more convenient than another bottle on a shelf in the garage.

 

[faultymechanics]

+1
While tricks like adding motor oil or 2 cycle oil once worked, these newer motors with HPFP and DPF are a different beast...suck tricks will cause MAJOR issues in the more modern motors.....
The fuel is now dramatically different, with many compounds removed to allows catalysts and exaust filters....the unfortunate side effect is lower BTU content, and in many cases less lube...the fuel can actually feel more dry, kinda more like gasoline than oil if you feel "winter" blended fuel...

So would you then say these newer motors are built and tuned with ulsd, so we shouldn't need additives? I'm asking this not to be an ass, I'm actually curious because I have been debating it.

The idea makes sense, I mean why wouldn't they, laws aren't going to change to allow us to burn crude oil in our cars. The question is do the new pumps and everything need the added lubrication, and if so are they getting it elsewhere?

 

[pdt165]

So would you then say these newer motors are built and tuned with ulsd, so we shouldn't need additives? I'm asking this not to be an ass, I'm actually curious because I have been debating it.

The idea makes sense, I mean why wouldn't they, laws aren't going to change to allow us to burn crude oil in our cars. The question is do the new pumps and everything need the added lubrication, and if so are they getting it elsewhere?

The engines are designed in europe where the cetane levels of diesel are generally much higher. the levels in the US are substantially lower. I believe the levels in the US still meet min requirements, however more lubrication and a higher cetane will allow the engines to last longer.

 

[Coal Roller]

I add 6 ounces of Howe's and 2 ounces of Amsoil cetane booster to each tankful.

 

[snakefart]

While I do understand that VW engineered our engines to run on ULSD, I'm guessing they were more concerned about emissions and shorter term reliability, not considering those who push cars to 300k + miles before even thinking about a replacement (me). I believe I will continue using the Power Service stuff for now, it is cheap, it can't hurt. From the tests I have seen, opti-lube offers better lubricity, but is considerably more expensive and not as readily available. The Wal-Mart brand 2-cycle oil also fared very well in the tests, I will give this a go after the DPF comes off.

 

[joeelmex]

I have been using Opti-Lube Xpd on both of my 2012 jetta's. I bought both of them brand new with under 20 miles on them. I started adding XPD when they both had 1000 miles. I could tell right away the difference. I add 1 ounce for every 4 gallons in the summer and 1 ounce for every 3 gallons in the winter. My wife who is no car fanatic told me what I did to her car as she feels it runninggg very smooth. My car now has 50k and my wife's cars has 40k. I have had no issues to report. I add it on every fill up.

My wife will add it herself now after she fills up also. That's how much of a difference she saw when she started driving her jetta with the additive.