Diesel Engine Additives (Fuel, Oil, Trans, Brake, etc.) - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

rmackay · #1 08-31-2007, 04:53 PM

HI there,

I saw a thread on Diesel Kleen and Redline and such. But most threads seem to go off in a tangent. Can someone help me put together a concise set of recommendations? Here are my questions...

What Fuel additivites to you recommend for a 1983 300 SD? I have seen stuff for injector cleaning, water removal, algea prevention, cetane bosster, etc. Which should I use or should I use mutliple?

Do you use these with every tank, every other tank, or other freq?

Do you pour it in before you start pumping fuel or when you are done pumping fuel?

Are their any additives for other fluids that I should be using such as Oil, Trans, Pwr Steering, Brakes, Coolant, etc.?

I will try to take these answers and create a table that could perhaps be a sticky with this kind of format...

Fluid Type (Fuel, Oil, etc.), Brand (DK, RL, etc.), Frequency to use, Before/After adding the fluid, comments.

I just tried a Gumout brand Diesel Fuel additive, but have not yet noticed any improvement. I also found that Castrol makes a Diesel Oil. Is that recommended or stay more with a 15W50 or similar rated oil?

Thank you,

Robert

TMAllison · #2 08-31-2007, 05:00 PM

WOW. An oil thread AND an additive thread all in one.

If you think the other threads got off onto tangents, just wait.

uberwgn · #3 08-31-2007, 05:51 PM

Robert, in an attempt to try to keep it simple, do you have access to b100?

rrgrassi · #4 08-31-2007, 05:54 PM

If you are going to use a fuel additive, pour it in BEFORE adding fuel.

Castrol Tection is fine, so is Rotella T. As long as it is a true Diesel rated oil. Some prefer synthetics.

Oil additives are useless.

LUVMBDiesels · #5 08-31-2007, 06:07 PM

I use both Diesel Kleen and Lucas Fuel Treatment. I out them in before I fill up. I am doing this to see it my mpg goes up with the Lucas. I use the DK because the cetane rating of fuel in NY is horrible.

For oil I use Rotella synthetic 5w40

rmackay · #6 08-31-2007, 06:44 PM

What is B100?

ConnClark · #7 08-31-2007, 06:47 PM

B100 = 100% BioDiesel.

Recommendations for additives is going to entirely depend on what problems (real or Perceived) your car has.

toomany MBZ · #8 08-31-2007, 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rmackay

HI there,

What Fuel additivites to you recommend for a 1983 300 SD? I have seen stuff for injector cleaning, water removal, algea prevention, Use bio-cide only if needed. cetane bosster, etc. Which should I use or should I use mutliple? Power Service with cetane boost in winter. ATF in summer. Aids lubrication.

Do you use these with every tank, every other tank, or other freq? A bit every fill up.

Do you pour it in before you start pumping fuel or when you are done pumping fuel? Start.

Are their any additives for other fluids that I should be using such as Oil, Trans, Pwr Steering, Brakes, Coolant, etc.? Unknown, capt.

I will try to take these answers and create a table that could perhaps be a sticky with this kind of format... Good luck with that.

Fluid Type (Fuel, Oil, etc.), Brand (DK, RL, etc.), Frequency to use, Before/After adding the fluid, comments. Oil, diesel rated. I use Shell Rotella 15-40.

I just tried a Gumout brand Diesel Fuel additive, but have not yet noticed any improvement. I also found that Castrol makes a Diesel Oil. Is that recommended or stay more with a 15W50 or similar rated oil?

Thank you,

Robert

You may want to do a purge, (there is bound to be a way to find out instructions via the search function). I do so every time I buy one of these, and then I know the fuel going in, unnecessary afterward.
Bio-diesel is corrosive to rubber, if using, take precautions. Hope this helps.

#9 08-31-2007, 08:12 PM

Don't use oil additives, you don't need any and it may negatively affect the oil's own additives.

H-townbenzoboy · #10 08-31-2007, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rmackay

HI there,

I saw a thread on Diesel Kleen and Redline and such. But most threads seem to go off in a tangent. Can someone help me put together a concise set of recommendations? Here are my questions...

What Fuel additivites to you recommend for a 1983 300 SD? I have seen stuff for injector cleaning, water removal, algea prevention, cetane bosster, etc. Which should I use or should I use mutliple?

Under normal operation, additives are not needed. An anti-gel additive should be used when fuel gelling conditions are anticipated. Use fuel system cleaning additives when you have a fuel system problem, Chevron Techron Concentrate Plus is good for that. If the problem does not go away after 2 or 3 treatments, it's time to dig in and fix the problem mechanically. I don't know of any additive that'll effectively clean injectors, only a repair shop can do that.

Do you use these with every tank, every other tank, or other freq?
Only when you have the problem. Stop using the additive when the problem goes away or if it doesn't go away after 2 or 3 treatments.

Do you pour it in before you start pumping fuel or when you are done pumping fuel?
Pour it into a nearly empty tank (preferably when you're at the 1/4 or near the R mark on the fuel level gauge), then fill up.

Are their any additives for other fluids that I should be using such as Oil, Trans, Pwr Steering, Brakes, Coolant, etc.?
The only worthwhile additive I've seen for coolant is Redline Water Wetter. You add a bottle of it to your cooling system through your expansion tank. When you change the coolant out every 2-3 years, add a new bottle. Don't add anymore in between coolant change intervals. Trans-X for the transmission. Trans-X should only be used to rectify a problem. Don't use additives in the power steering, motor oil, or brake fluid.

I just tried a Gumout brand Diesel Fuel additive, but have not yet noticed any improvement. I also found that Castrol makes a Diesel Oil. Is that recommended or stay more with a 15W50 or similar rated oil?
How long have you been using the Gumout? You cannot determine a change in operation quickly. You must accumulate data before, during, and after using the additive to see if it works or not. That can take months, maybe years to be done properly. As for oil, any good diesel rated oil (usually says something like CD or CF on the API rating on the back)WITHOUT additives should work fine. A diesel rated oil that's XW-30 is too light. Make sure it's XW-40 or XW-50. If you want to be really picky about it, use an oil from the 229.3 or 229.5 list found here... http://www.whnet.com/4x4/oil.html

Thank you,

Robert

-filler-

WINGAS · #11 09-01-2007, 09:05 AM

I like Howe's Meaner Cleaner for lubriucity, but use Stanadyne for the cetane boost my 95 needs. The ULSD sold around here rattles in her bad.

Hip001 · #12 07-14-2009, 05:31 PM

thanks for all the info! WOW sure alot of stuff out there.

ah-kay · #13 07-14-2009, 06:25 PM

I have yet to add any 'additives' to oil, tank, ps, brake, coolant etc etc. If your cars need any additives, should it be all listed in the User Manual

?

brizzy81 · #14 02-18-2014, 01:47 AM

My step father is a diesel mechanic (mack, freightliner, peterbilt) and he said that when he rebuilds a diesel engine he can tell immediately if they used Lucas engine oil additive; he said that on the engines he can usually rebuild the engine for half the cost and half the effort.

w123fanman · #15 02-18-2014, 03:23 AM

I run Diesel Kleen from time to time, seems to help clean out the fuel system as it advertises. Power Service (its manufacturer) sells it super concentrated in 2.5 gallon jugs, treats 3750 gallons for around $120, making it around $.03 to treat one gallon. I'm considering buying one of those jugs then divvying it up to run it every tank.
I also believe in the power of diesel purge, after running through 75% of the 2 cans I put in my 190D. The remaining purge was a dark, murky grey color, when it is originally clear and an amber color.