I have three Mercedes, 90 350 SDL (for sale), 85 300D (will sell soon), and a 85 300 TD, are there any diesel fuel additives that are good to use? I ask because the cars have very low miles for their years, so they have sat a lot in their lifetimes, so if the biodiesel I am running doesn't get the fuel in shape, what commercial additives are available that are good? Thanks

If you do a search, there is ALOT of info on this topic...

I prefer Power Service's Diesel Kleen.

I have looked on Power Service's Web site and looked for a place to buy it, but to no avail. Are there any major auto parts places that you know of where I could buy it?

Thanks

Wal-Mart sells it. But, the price went up recently. It used to be $12 for the 96ox bottle, now it's $15.50

Thanks for the info, I will go check out Wal Mart to see if they still have it.

I run a bottle of Marvel majic mystery oil through on nearly every tankfull.

__________________
-1983 VW Rabbit LS Diesel (5speed, VNT/Giles build)

My only concern with Marvel Myster Oil is the red dye in it. Nothing like getting busted for using off road fuel even when you are not.

-Jim

__________________
1995 S350D, Green with black leather interior.
Bought January 2008 w/ 233,xxx miles.
I did 22,000 miles during the first year of ownership.

I don't think it's simply red dye. I believe there is a specific chemical compound to the dye they use test strips for.

There are nearly as many additives as there are opinions. PowerService is ok. So is Red Line's DFC and probably many others. My favorite when it comes to quieting diesel knock is a mix of Amsoil's Cetane Boost and their Diesel Additive Concentrate (2 separate bottles). The main things to look for are does the additive increase lubricity, detergency and cetane, and does it disperse water? Those are the most important things. An additive that does all of these things is better than one that does only some of these things.

__________________
2004 VW Jetta TDI (manual)

Past MB's: '96 E300D, '83 240D, '82 300D, '87 300D, '87 420SEL

When you put it in your fuel, the red dye will be so diluted that it won't be visible. MMO is one of those additives that only does a few things. It doesn't boost cetane or disperse water.

__________________
2004 VW Jetta TDI (manual)

Past MB's: '96 E300D, '83 240D, '82 300D, '87 300D, '87 420SEL

I picked up some diesel Kleen at schucks yesterday and used it when I filled up. Seems to run a bit better. $7 for a 1L bottle

__________________
1979 240D- 316K miles - VGT Turbo, Intercooler, Stick Shift, Many Other Mods - Daily Driver

1982 300SD - 232K miles - Wife's Daily Driver

1986 560SL - Wife's red speed machine

I know of at least one person who got hit by the test strips. He used transmission fluid to fill his filters when he changed them. The little bit that gets returned to the tank was enough to snag him. Granted, he was driving a 1 ton dually pickup and not a MB. Chances of us getting out tanks tested are pretty slim. Hopefully the MMO uses a different dye.

-Jim

__________________
1995 S350D, Green with black leather interior.
Bought January 2008 w/ 233,xxx miles.
I did 22,000 miles during the first year of ownership.

I bought a quart of this Rotella diesel fuel treatment from Wal-Mart the other day because it was half the price of power service. It produced very similar power increases and noise decreases.

__________________
"spreading a trail of obnoxious where ever we go"
1981 300sd w/ 341,500 miles

http://www.wecrash.com/pics/ddda_banner.gif

I have been using Howes for the past year, around here it is found at truck stops and costs about 9 bucks a quart. I have ran without it and noticed a difference in sound and mpg. Just my 2 cents.

__________________
Habits I support
95 E300 D 220,000 & counting (I think I'll call him Fritz)
02 Tahoe (Momma's ride)
98 GMC Sierra 120,000
57 Chevy Nomad (bought in '69)

Mercedes-Benz doesn't recommend additives, but it's a good idea to use a water sequestering additive in the winter, and anti-gel additive if it gets very cold where you are.

Italian tuneups (full pedal down accelerations to high speed) and other regular maintainence will keep them up just fine. But, they've changed their stance a little on that issue. Only if you are using biodiesel, (such as you are doing) they recommend a diesel fuel stabilizer. I don't know if any of the aforementioned additives are fuel stabilizers.

__________________
'81 MB 300SD, '82 MB 300D Turbo (sold/RIP), '04 Lincoln Town Car Ultimate

Sooner or later every car falls apart, ours does it later!
-German Narrator in a MB Promotion Film about the then brand new W123.