Yahoo Message Number: 17490 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/17490)
What is the opinion out there on using fuel additives?
I don't drive where it is cold, so I am not worrying about gelling. I have been putting in additive (in addition to filling up the tank) when I park the coach for longer than a week or so. What do you all think? Is it worth doing?
Al
2000 Intrigue 10979
Yahoo Message Number: 17491 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/17491)
I use it in my 98 Allure on a regular basis. I like Red Line Diesel additive but it is not the only one out there of course.
allan_colby wrote:
Yahoo Message Number: 17498 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/17498)
I use 3 diesel fuel additives... each with a specific purpose.
Like you Allan, I don't drive where the weather is below freezing, so I do NOT use any additive to prevent fuel gelling.
The first additive I use is called Pri-D. This additive is specifically designed to "stabilize the fuel" and eliminate crystalization of the fuel that occurs when the fuel sits. Based on our style of RVing, we drive about 5000 miles in the summer months and then sit and drive only about 50 miles a month for the winter months.
So, on average, I'll put in about 50 gallons of fuel about every 2 weeks during the summer season. The way I see it, even during the summer season, some fuel sits in my tank for longer than a month. The purpose of the Pri-D is to stabilize the molecular structure of the fuel so that it stays "fresh forever".
The second additive I use is Pri-O-cide. The purpose of the Pri-o- cide is to eliminate the growth of bacteria and algae in the water that accumulates in the fuel tank. Every time you run your coach, the fuel gets hot and expands as it circulates from the tank to the engine and back again. Then when you shut off the engine, the tank cools and draws moist air into the tank which condenses and causes water to accumulate in the bottom of the tank. Adding Pri-o-cide eliminates the worry about having a fuel filter get clogged with algae and sludge from the accumulation in the fuel tank.
The third additive I use is a "top end lubricant". The new diesel fuels are all designed to be low sulfur fuel to minimize pollution spewing from the engine as it burns the fuel. The sulfur in the old diesel fuels served as a lubricant and that is one reason why the old diesel engines ran for a million miles without problems. The new low- sulfur fuels are really tough because they don't have this natural lubricant. I use Lucas "Top End Lubricant". It is inexpensive and works well. It also improves fuel economy and reduces fuel injector wear.
These new Cat and Cummins engines use computer controlled injectors with extremely high fuel pressures (30,000 to 50,000 psi) compared to the older engines that had maybe 1,000 psi. The very high pressures cause excessive fuel pump and fuel injector wear and smoking if the fuel is not clean and "fresh". Using these additives eliminates problems caused by crystalization, sludge, algae, and reduces engine, fuel pump and injector wear.
You can learn LOTS more by visiting the Slidell Marine web site at http://www.slidellmarine.com/pri.htm (http://www.slidellmarine.com/pri.htm) They have excellent descriptions about each product and how they work. They also have lots of practical experience with the "care and feeding of diesel engines".
I think it is a good investment to take care of my diesel engine by use of these quality and proven additives. My professional background includes experience with diesel generators used in hospital emergency power systems, and these same additives are used by hospitals that must have a clean "fresh" fuel source and reliable power generation.
I figure the cost of these additives is peanuts compared to the stress and suffering of breaking down on the highway.
If you read all the stuff on the Slidell Marine web site, you can become an informed consumer and make good decisions about what additives you should use that are consistent with your style of RV travel.
Regards,
Bob Kumza
2003 Intrigue
I
Yahoo Message Number: 17502 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/17502)
I have used additives and not used them. About 200K miles with diesel motorhomes. I cannot tell the difference. I no longer use additives.
George in Birmingham
'04 Allure 31038
Yahoo Message Number: 17507 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/17507)
I use nothing. I am careful to purchase fuel from a high volume seller and always keep my tank full when I have the coach parked for a week or more. So far I have never had a water or other fuel problem.
Jim Hughes
2000 Allure #30511
On the road in Alaska.....currently in Homer
I
Yahoo Message Number: 17547 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/17547)
Hello Allan; I'm sorry. I forgot to mention that the Top End Lubricant was recommended to me by Slidell Marine during a conversation I had with them regarding use of diesel fuel additives. The product is not on their web site. He said that Slidell Marine suggests using a top end lube like the Lucas product or Marvel Mystery Oil, but since they are so readily available from so many sources (like Walmart and all auto parts stores) they don't carry them on their web site. Also, when I looked on the bottle, I noticed that the Lucas top end lube is actually called "Lucas Upper Cylinder Lubricant".
For your information, I also buy all my diesel fuel from high volume suppliers (like Flying J, TA, etc.) in order to get the freshest fuel possible. I notice that even when I do this, I still get some sediment accumulation in my fuel filter accumulation bowl. So, as the Slidell web site suggests, even the freshest fuel sources still have room for improvement.
Another suggestion is to try to fill up just before stopping to camp for the night. I usually look on Street Atlas for a Fyling J or TA close to the campground I plan on staying at and fill up there before heading for the campground. That way, I get minimal water vapor condensation in my fuel tank. After 5 years, I plan to pull the plug on the bottom of the fuel tank and drain out all the sediment and water accumulation.
Despite all these precautions, I still use all 3 additives every time I fuel the coach. My fuel gauge is very accurate and I can estimate how much additive I need just by reading the gauge before adding fuel. I always put in all 3 additives before the fuel so that adding the fuel mixes them up good in the tank.
In case your wondering, I get NO smoke from any of the additives and the use of the Lucas Upper Cylinder Lubricant has improved my fuel economy slightly (about 1/2 mpg). So the way I look at it is the Upper Cylinder Lube is free.
I hope that answers all your questions. The Slidell Marine web site http://www.slidellmarine.com/pri.htm (http://www.slidellmarine.com/pri.htm) has so much excellent information in it and anyone who is serious about the long term life of the diesel engine would benefit from reading it. I also found that Slidell has great prices on their additives and are one of the few dealers who carry Pri-o-cide, so I usually buy my additives from them and have them ship to me.
Regards,
Bob Kumza
2003 Intrigue
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Yahoo Message Number: 17495 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/17495)
My father starts trips with fuel from local farm co-op. He says co-op fuel is formulated for diesels that are likely to be parked for months.
My Cat manual directs me not to add additives.
Eric Lee Elliott
05 Inspire 51321