cftlet
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Posts: 119
Registered: 11-13-2008
Location: Grants Pass,OR.
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Mood: Modelo Negro on my mind
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Fuel additives
I'am presently in San Diego getting ready for a much anticipated (for years) three month trip down the Baja. I'am drivin a o8 F350 diesel (yea I know
I have been following Divers problems) pulling a 33ft 5th wheel.
My ford dealer recommended I use a fuel additive( of course he recommended fords additive) as have many others. I was wondering if any of you have
found a additive you like ? I read in a earlier post that cetane booster and fuel injector cleaner by golden eagle was a good product. I have
checked at the pep boys,kragens and napa prts houses in Santee and can't find any .
Any help will be appreciated. Hopefully we will find some of you nomads and will be able to put faces with nnames.
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Pescador
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Registered: 10-17-2002
Location: Baja California Sur
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I don't know why your dealer would reccomend an additive. The fuel, once you get south of El Rosario, has a little more sulphur, but except for that,
the Cetane rating is good. I have over 100,000 on my Dodge diesel and it actually runs better on the Mexican fuel than the stuff they sell in the US.
In fact I add a little diesel conditioner in the US because the lubricity is somewhat reduced with the lower sulphur, but I do not add anything in
Mexico.
Now, I do carry a spare filter in case I get a bad load of fuel, and the only time I ever did that was when I filled right after they had dumped a
new load of diesel in the underground tank and the fuel was a little stirred up. Now, unless it is an emergency, I never fill if the big fuel truck
is unloading. I usually ask the guy at the pump when the last time they got diesel fuel.
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Baja12valve
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Registered: 7-12-2006
Location: Oak View
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Along with Pescador, I would be too concerned, when running on diesel, I have never had any issues. A extra fuel filter is always a good item to have
though, especially with the newer diesels. If you feel that you need a additive, there are many that work well. Seafoam or Power Service and two.
Others may chime in recommending what works for them. I don't use any, but then again, I mostly run on WVO.
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losfrailes
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Registered: 11-16-2004
Location: Ejido San Lucas near Santa Rosalia
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For what is worth. A friend of mine, retired diesel mechanic, suggests adding a quart of ATF (Automatic Transmission Fluid) to each full tank of fuel
purchased.
Apparently adds to the lubricity. And it seems to work. My mileage increased, however only slightly.
[Edited on 1-7-2009 by losfrailes]
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cftlet
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Location: Grants Pass,OR.
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The recommendation was not for baja specificaly. He suggested it to help increase the mpg (which reallly sucks). A lot of stuff I've read recommends
additives be used all the time.
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BigWooo
Senior Nomad
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Registered: 1-2-2007
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Most gearhead websites I've read say not to use diesel fuel additive. We've been driving diesels ( 92 Ford, 97, Ford and now an 08 Chevy) for at
least 16 years, with somewhere around 250,000 cumulative miles in Mexico without any fuel problems.
I do recommend installing an aftermarket secondary fuel filter though. For our Fords I used Racor. Our current truck is a an 08 Chevrolet and I use
a Baldwin filter. I'm not sure what Dodge would recommend.
I've seen a lot of gook (I think it's algae) in the secondary filter when I've changed it after long trips, especially in the summer months. The
secondary filters are installed before the main filter. They're usually easier and cheaper to change and keep the gook out of the main filter.
I've only taken one trip in the Chevy (about 1600 miles in Baja) but it performed just fine on the LSD found south of El Rosario. No additives.
[Edited on 1-7-2009 by BigWooo]
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Hook
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You're driving an 08 F350? I doubt Diver's problems will apply much to you.
I agree with Pescador. Lubricity is the only concern, not cetane boost. The higher sulphur diesel wont have the lubricity issues. I cant comment on
any cat converter/trap issues associated with Mexican diesel.
Now that ULSD is becoming more prevalent, the additive manufacturers have begun making additives specifically for the ULSD and not for the type of
diesel you find in many parts of Mexico. Not sure if this is a major concern but I would sure prefer to use additives formulated for the type of
diesel one would be using.
I still have lots of PRI-D diesel conditioner that I purchased for my boat. It's formulated for the diesel still available down here. I continue to
use it to hopefully keep injectors clean.
I notice that Power Service products, probably the largest selling diesel additives in the US, are now completely formulated for ULSD. They seemed to
work pretty good when I used them north of the border and they are reasonably priced at most all Walmarts. I used to use the grey bottle; the white
one doesnt increase cetane numbers and is intended for gel prevention.
But, again, I wouldn't add anything down here, while using mex diesel. It's NOB that I would be using an additive.
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Bob H
Elite Nomad
Posts: 5867
Registered: 8-19-2003
Location: San Diego
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I use Lucas fuel additive in all of my vehicles. Works with diesel also. There are other products too...
Here's a lot more info at this link.....
http://www.fueladditiveonline.com/
Bob H
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Paulina
Ultra Nomad
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Registered: 8-31-2002
Location: BCN
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Marvel's Mystery Oil. We use it about every third or fourth fill up. It does increase our MPG. When we add it to our fuel we get near 600 mi. on a
full tank (40gal).
2000 F350
P<*)))>{
[Edited on 7-1-2009 by Paulina]
\"Well behaved women rarely make history.\" Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
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CaboRon
Ultra Nomad
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Paulina
Marvel's Mystery Oil. We use it about every third or fourth fill up. It does increase our MPG. When we add it to our fuel we get near 600 mi. on a
full tank (40gal).
2000 F350
P<*)))>{
[Edited on 7-1-2009 by Paulina] |
Paulina,
Is this just for diesel or will it also work on gas vehicles ?
CaboRon
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Paulina
Ultra Nomad
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Registered: 8-31-2002
Location: BCN
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CaboRon,
Dern said, "Yes".
P<*)))>{
\"Well behaved women rarely make history.\" Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
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Timo1
Senior Nomad
Posts: 757
Registered: 11-2-2007
Location: Homeless
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I was at ourlocal fuel injection shop and the tech. there told me that I should be running with an additive for lubricity....He had a few
choices...and when I told him that I use 2 stroke motor oil..He asked where I found out about that
I am a certified Heavy Duty Mechanic and in Canada we have winter diesel and summer diesel
When the diesel change occurs there aree problems that are easily fixed with 2 stroke
Since the degridation of diesel...more problems for the pumps have come up
2 stroke works just as good as any of the snake oils on the market for about 1/4 the cost
Its working for me ...Just thot I'de pass it along
By the way...After a while the tech confided that he also uses 2 strke but didn't want me to tell anyone
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tehag
Super Nomad
Posts: 1248
Registered: 1-8-2005
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Additive
many Baja miles on VW diesels with Lucas additive. Zero problems.
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fishingmako
Nomad
Posts: 259
Registered: 10-10-2008
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Mood: always up
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everyone seems to be always confused with this DIESEL question? when everyone was on the same playing field meaning the USA and MEXICO the SULPHUR was
500 parts per million this is the lubricant, then the US went to 15 parts per million leaving that void, now all DIESELS prior to 06.5 can use US
DIESEL and should use a additive every few tanks of fuel, because the drop in SULPHUR, Mexico no problem the older DIESELS should not use any
addditive what so ever in MEXICO you already have enough additive because Mexico is still using 500 parts per million, I have a 04 and have only used
a couple of tanks of US fuel I have no additional filters or anything else and have never had a problem thank God, now the newer DIESELS from all I
have heard and talk around, no problem in Mexico using their fuel, I hear it helps with the emissions.
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biglar
Junior Nomad
Posts: 37
Registered: 10-9-2008
Location: Santa Fe, NM
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I have an '02 Dodge/Cummins - the last year of the "clattering Cummins" and several years ago read a lot on the Diesel Resource Forum about the pros
and cons of using 2 stroke oil with the new fuel. My engine is very loud, and with the Edge EZ, larger injectors, etc. makes a louder, sharper sound
than most.
It's not a decision to be taken lightly - if you make a serious boo-boo, a new engine costs many thousands of dollars. Just the injector pump alone
is very expensive.
Finally, about 3 years ago, I decided to go ahead. I have the Aero 64 gallon tank and had just filled it, so put a full quart of 2 stroke oil in.
Then, a friend and I got in and drove away.
About 1/8 of a mile later, suddenly the noise just.....dropped. It was like someone had wrapped the engine in a blanket. Friend and I looked at each
other and said, "WOW." There was absolutely no question of when the oil hit the engine. It's still loud, but softer, and the sharp edge is gone.
Periodically I'll forget to add the 2 stroke when fueling and don't really notice the gradually increasing noise. Next tank, add the oil and within
seconds hear that sudden quietening and it gets my attention.
To my mind, this has to mean a benefit to the engine, but I've found that a quart per tankful isn't necessary, and seems to make a little more smoke.
1/2 quart seems to be fine I've noticed a slight increase in mileage, too......about 1 mpg or a little less
2 stroke oil is designed to burn clean and leave no ash or other deposits, and that's why it's recommended. Sounds reasonable to me, and I'll
continue to use it.
Lar.
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BajaWarrior
Super Nomad
Posts: 2307
Registered: 9-27-2006
Location: Mission Bay, San Diego. Playa Hermosa, San Felipe.
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Mood: Anxious to get south
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I have an '06 F350 with the 6.0 Deisel motor and 45,000 miles on it.
The truck is strictly used only for traveling both summer and winter. This load is typical but we also tow a Toy Hauler in the summer to Lake Havasu.
I use both U.S. and Mexico deisel randomly.
Are you saying I should add a quart of 2 stroke oil from time to time? The motor does seem noisy at times, especially at a cold start up but I do
allow it a 10 minute warm up cycle.
[Edited on 1-9-2009 by BajaWarrior]
Haven't had a bad trip yet....
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biglar
Junior Nomad
Posts: 37
Registered: 10-9-2008
Location: Santa Fe, NM
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The newer engines are quieter anyway, but for something like this, my feeling is that you should be consistent. If I go without adding about a pint
of 2 stroke oil to 40 gallons for a tankful, then add the oil on the next tank, I can hear the difference within a couple of minutes. To my mind,
that's telling me very clearly that it likes the oil, so I try to keep a reasonably even mixture in there.
Lar.
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