Opti-Lube XPD (Fuel Additive)

[Kier]

I have heard nothing but good reviews and performance for this product. It is supposed to be excellent for our fuel pumps, cetane boost, and fuel economy. Only need to add 4-6 oz per 15 gallons. I have been previously using Diesel Kleen (White bottle) this winter. Do any of the Veteran members have any comments regarding this additive? If truly superior than Stanadyne and Diesel Kleen, it may be a more economical alternative. It costs just under $15 per quart. About 8 servings per bottle. I have a pump duse fuel system in my BRM, and have worried about the fuel system after reading all the posta about the lack of sulfur (lubricant) in our consumer diesel available here in the USA.

 

[JSWTDI09]

It seems to be an excellent additive. It is certainly not the cheapest additive, but many members here use it and state that their engine seems to run smoother and quieter with it. Some research shows it to be the best commercial lubricity additive, but those tests are not proof positive and they have not been repeated (verified). Everyone seems to have their own personal favorite additives and there has been considerable debate about the subject of fuel additives. These debates center on the relative value of lubricity additives, cetane boosters, and the differences in how water is handled (emulsifiers/de-emulsifiers). I'm no expert, so all I can do is to recommend doing some reading (there's a lot here to read on this subject).

Have Fun!

Don

 

[Joe_Meehan]

They both seem to be good products. I suspect at least some of the more modified cars may well benefit from their use. However I suspect that most of the additives used offer very little if any value. With some exceptions, most of out TDI's don't have the need for any additives other than those already added to the fuel from the pump.

 

[Grievous Angel]

Meh. I'm using it but can't tell any difference. Mostly for the lubricity properties because of the suspect HPFP. Who knows--it might be snake oil.

It states that it separates water from the fuel, which I don't like--because, where will it go?

Other additives state they'll emulsify (?) or maybe disperse the water into fine particles INTO the fuel, to be burned off harmlessly, which seems like a good idea in our cars.

I ordered straight from opti-lube. That gallon will last a while and it was around 50-60 bucks. I'm fudging between the .25 to .5 oz/gallon recommendation.

 

[Grievous Angel]

Some research shows it to be the best commercial lubricity additive

If you are referring to the "Spicer Report" it indeed was the best "additive" for lubricity--not by a small margin, either.

However, the OP should be aware that B5 (or was it B2?) had the BEST lubricity results in that test. Which Is what I would do, if I had access to it. I'm not sure I've seen it anywhere in Alabama.

To the OP: google "spicer report"

 

[jetlagmech]

only problem with B2, B5, B10 etc. is unless your mixing B100 with the D2 yourself then you dont know what your getting. The sticker on the pump means it can be up to that number. soooo a pump labeled B5 can have 5% or 2% or 0% bio in it. And good luck if you think you can ask the worker at the station and get an answer.

 

[bjterry62]

I have heard nothing but good reviews and performance for this product. It is supposed to be excellent for our fuel pumps, cetane boost, and fuel economy. Only need to add 4-6 oz per 15 gallons. I have been previously using Diesel Kleen (White bottle) this winter. Do any of the Veteran members have any comments regarding this additive? If truly superior than Stanadyne and Diesel Kleen, it may be a more economical alternative. It costs just under $15 per quart. About 8 servings per bottle. I have a pump duse fuel system in my BRM, and have worried about the fuel system after reading all the posta about the lack of sulfur (lubricant) in our consumer diesel available here in the USA.

There are several Tractor Supply stores in MD. They sell Diesel Kleen in white bottle for $9 qt. 80oz is $18.

BT

 

[tico27464]

Kier -

I may be wrong about this, but I believe most of the concern re. lubricity applies to the new ('09 +) common-rail systems with the HPFP (yours is earlier than this and to my knowledge doesn't have this potential problem, so another additive--don't ask me which one--may be better for your application). Others more in the know can/should/will (I hope) chime in on this. Is lubricity your main concern? If it is something else, OL may or may not be the one for you. Who knows anyway--the Spicer Report is going on 5 years old now, and, as above, hasn't been replicated, so take it with a grain of salt. If you do go with it, I'd recommend ordering straight from OL and getting the gallon size for economy.
Cheers,
~T

 

[jstwhln]

I'm not a veteran to this forum, but I was running Opti-lube XPD in my Ford 7.3 before I sold it. A fuel economy test performed by Diesel Power mag in addition to the Spicer lubricity test sold me on XPD.

As an end user, it is difficult to quantify an increase in lubricity. However, I did see a small bump in fuel economy of about 7% (15 to 16.1 MPG). I calculated that the additive was economical as long as fuel stayed above $2.50/gal or so.

I am running XPD in my new TDI, but I'm not sure if it's made a difference in fuel economy because I've been running it since day one. In four tanks, my hand calc'd average is 35.5 mpg; lowest is 33.3 mpg; the highest is 37 mpg.

As far as cost, the first gallon I bought (from Opti-Lube) was about $57 (shipped), but that included a pump for the 1 gallon bottle, an empty (but labeled) 8 oz dispensing bottle and a 16 oz empty (labeled) graduated, dispensing bottle similar to the kind that Sta-bil comes in. After that, the gallon by itself was about $52 (shipped).

 

[jstwhln]

Yes, the Spicer report is 5 or so years old, but it doesn't make the data less valid. The lab he used is reputable and the methods, sound. I believe the only issue with the test is it's relevancy.

Does OL improve lubricity? You betcha. Has fuel lubricity improved in 5 years? I don't know.

So I guess it comes down to: Does lubricity really matter?

 

[JSWTDI09]

So I guess it comes down to: Does lubricity really matter?

In my opinion, this is debatable with older TDIs. However, with the 2009+ Common Rail TDIs I believe the answer to your question is a very definite YES! I do not believe it is a magic cure for a poor HPFP design, but it surely can't hurt.

Have Fun!

Don

P.S. I use Opti-Lube XPD in my car too.

 

[tdi90hp]

another thread for the additive wars!!! allright!! cause we all need to re-debate this for the 100,017 th time....

 

[gergg]

another thread for the additive wars!!! allright!! cause we all need to re-debate this for the 100,017 th time....

Ah come on, it's fun....OR, we could talk about HPFP failures

 

[tdiatlast]

I'm beginning to think the search function isn't working. There seems to be a new DMF thread starting every day...

 

[40X40]

Yes, the Spicer report is 5 or so years old, but it doesn't make the data less valid. The lab he used is reputable and the methods, sound. I believe the only issue with the test is it's relevancy.

Does OL improve lubricity? You betcha. Has fuel lubricity improved in 5 years? I don't know.

So I guess it comes down to: Does lubricity really matter?

The methods were sound?

All the additives tested were purchased 'off the shelf' except for one. Care to guess which one?

Optilube. The 'winner' of the test. Which was, IIRC, "so new to the market it could not be obtained except directly from the manufacturer". No-one knows to this day if what was tested as 'optilube' is what is sold as 'optilube' now.

I don't think Mr. Spicer (a firefighter, just an ordinary guy like you and I), intentionally threw the test. I do think he was unwittingly used to kick off a marketing campaign by the optilube company.

If you throw out the optilube results, the test was a good one, IMO.

When you read things like the 'spicer report' keep your mind and eyes wide open.

Bill

 

[tditom]

Also note that the Spicer test was not performed on retail fuel, but instead used the off-the-shelf addititives on 'raw' ulsd. Not a real world test.

 

[donDavide]

There are several Tractor Supply stores in MD. They sell Diesel Kleen in white bottle for $9 qt. 80oz is $18.

BT

Walmart sells it for $16.57 for 80oz.

 

[tditom]

There are several Tractor Supply stores in MD. They sell Diesel Kleen in white bottle for $9 qt. 80oz is $18.

BT

Just a clarification:
The Power Service product in the white bottle is Diesel Fuel Supplement (DFS). Diesel Kleen is in the silver bottle. The differeence is that DFS has an additive that "Disperses water in diesel fuel ", and claims to boost cetane by 4 points while Diesel Kleen doesn't mention water and boosts cetane by 6 points.

 

[robnitro]

I agree with you 40x40. Actually I was quite confused by the results, some of the more viscous additives somehow worsened the results?????

The methods were sound?

All the additives tested were purchased 'off the shelf' except for one. Care to guess which one?

Optilube. The 'winner' of the test. Which was, IIRC, "so new to the market it could not be obtained except directly from the manufacturer". No-one knows to this day if what was tested as 'optilube' is what is sold as 'optilube' now.

I don't think Mr. Spicer (a firefighter, just an ordinary guy like you and I), intentionally threw the test. I do think he was unwittingly used to kick off a marketing campaign by the optilube company.

If you throw out the optilube results, the test was a good one, IMO.

When you read things like the 'spicer report' keep your mind and eyes wide open.

Bill

 

[jstwhln]

The methods were sound?

All the additives tested were purchased 'off the shelf' except for one. Care to guess which one?

I'm aware of it - it wasn't something that was hidden. He mentioned it specifically.

 

[jstwhln]

Just a clarification:
The Power Service product in the white bottle is Diesel Fuel Supplement (DFS). Diesel Kleen is in the silver bottle. The differeence is that DFS has an additive that "Disperses water in diesel fuel ", and claims to boost cetane by 4 points while Diesel Kleen doesn't mention water and boosts cetane by 6 points.

Perhaps it disperses water by acting as an emulsifier? I'd take a look at the MSDS to see if it offers any clues.

 

[jstwhln]

Also note that the Spicer test was not performed on retail fuel, but instead used the off-the-shelf addititives on 'raw' ulsd. Not a real world test.

I would guess that "raw" ULSD was used to remove any positive or negative interaction between additives introduced by a distributor and additives introduced during testing.

 

[tditom]

I would guess that "raw" ULSD was used to remove any positive or negative interaction between additives introduced by a distributor and additives introduced during testing.

Right, but since the additives the tdi operator puts in the tank are always going to be mixed with whatever additives the distribution terminal puts in there for minimal lubricity required, I'd want the test done under those conditions in case there is any interaction between the two.

 

[40X40]

I would guess that "raw" ULSD was used to remove any positive or negative interaction between additives introduced by a distributor and additives introduced during testing.

Correct so far.

The rest of the story is that none of the test results WILL EVER HAPPEN TO A RETAIL CUSTOMER because we cannot buy raw D2.

So the test was interesting, but totally useless as a basis of comparing the effects of those additives on any D2 sold to the public. People keep trying to apply the spicer test results to their own cars and the fuel they buy, but it just cannot be done with any accuracy because they don't know the makeup of the fuel they are purchasing.


Bill

 

[JSWTDI09]

All the additives tested were purchased 'off the shelf' except for one. Care to guess which one?

Nothing has changed, it is what it is. You still can't buy Opti-Lube "off the shelf" in most places. They have very few dealers. Almost everywhere, you still have to buy Opti-Lube by mail order direct from the manufacturer. Just because it was not bought off-the-shelf does not necessarily mean the test was in any way "rigged". It is very possible that what the Spicer report bought is exactly what everybody else buys when they buy it direct form the maker. We just do not know, for sure. However, we also do not know that any other additive makers have not changed their formulas either. Life is a crap shoot, everybody has to decide for themselves how to play the odds.

Have Fun!

Don

 

[tdiatlast]

Yet another discussion about additives...I'll bite...

"Raw" fuel is probably the most consistent diesel available. Does anyone here think that "additized" fuel (which is done at the tanker truck) from TX is anything like "additized" fuel in NH, or any other region? It appears to me that the variables are too great for any practical testing.

So, it really is a crap shoot. The greatest fear, for me at least, is lubricity, and that's probably the additive with the greatest variablitiy, at the pump. I will continue to use XPD.

NO ONE KNOWS the long-term effects of all these additives, with regard to the fuel/exhaust systems on the 09>>>. We will all be comparing our results when/if we see fuel system/glow plug/DPF failures

 

[donDavide]

Perhaps it disperses water by acting as an emulsifier? I'd take a look at the MSDS to see if it offers any clues.

Here is the website. Coupon for the white, I did the coupon last year and they are quick to get it you.

http://www.powerservice.com/

 

[tditom]

..."Raw" fuel is probably the most consistent diesel available. Does anyone here think that "additized" fuel (which is done at the tanker truck) from TX is anything like "additized" fuel in NH, or any other region? It appears to me that the variables are too great for any practical testing.

So, it really is a crap shoot. The greatest fear, for me at least, is lubricity, and that's probably the additive with the greatest variablitiy, at the pump. I will continue to use XPD....

I don't agree. In terms of lubricity, ASTM specs apply across the board. ULSD requires some level of lubricity additive to meet the ASTM spec. While I see your point that winterized fuel from NH has a different makeup than CARB or TxLED that are not cut with D1, all of these formulations need lubricity additive. I'm concerned that since these off-the-shelf formulations and dosages were designed to be used with the terminal-applied lubricity additives, then using them with raw fuel might not have the intended effect.

My thought is that a better test is to draw retail pump fuel from a name brand, high volume truck stop and test all the additives with that fuel.

I want to add that I do commend Arlen Spicer for taking the initiative to run this test, and know that this had to be an expensive undertaking.

 

[tditom]

Because I was confused about the Spicer results, I did a bit of followup a few years ago and have some more info here:
http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?t=196059

 

[Softrockrenegade]

I'm no expert but from what I have picked up here additives that demulsify(separate) water from the fuel are more suited for vehicles with a water seperator system . I use high quality b5 with power service white to manage water. No problems so far .