Diesel Fuel Additive Test
http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/76-speciality-forums/64-maintenance-fluids/177728-lubricity-additive-study-results.html If you don't believe in diesel fuel additives and say they are a waste of mo...
Forum Discussion
Since you asked. I use Stanadyne performance formula. I wish I didn't think that it was necessary, but I use a fuel additive for the following reason.
According to the injector manufacturers (see link to their common position statement regarding diesel fuel), the problem is that US diesel fuel does not meet the lubricity requirements for their injectors. Despite that, these injectors continue to be used in our trucks (Ford and Chev...not sure about Dodge). In fact, they estimate life of injectors to be considerably less in vehicles using US spec fuel. The primary issue is fuel lubricity and scar ratings, although cetane ratings can also be problematic.
The following is a quote from the Bosch et al common position statement regarding fuel requirements for diesel engines. Please note that this is a statement issued by the manufacturers of the injectors used in our vehicles...not just some guys opinion on the internet. Why this isn't more of a widely reported issue, I don't know...but to me there is a design incompatibility here.
"Lubricity: It is essential that the lubricity of the fuel as measured by the HFRR test specified in ISO 12156-1 meets the requirement of a wear scar diameter not greater than 460 microns. In addition, it is recommended by the Diesel FIE manufacturers, that “first fill” of the fuel tank should be with fuel with
good lubricity characteristics (HFRR < 400 µm) in order to guarantee good “run-in” of the injection system components. The US diesel specification (ASTM D 975-09) includes a lubricity value of 520 µm maximum (according to ASTM D 6079). It is expected that the useful operating lifetime of any mechanical component will be adversely affected by fuel with a lubricity exceeding 460 microns."
The entire position statement is available at the following link;
http://www.globaldenso.com/en/topics/091012-01/documents/common_position_paper.pdf
Because of that, I use Stanadyne...a product made by one of these manufacturers.
What REALLY convinced me to use a fuel additive was owning a 6.0 ford diesel and having FORD tell me to use one. Amazing the difference in smoothness of the engine running an additive in that engine.
So, for me I do and that is why. Every tank. Injectors are a thousand bucks a pop...cheap insurance. The study you cite may or may not be valid. I seem to recall it was done with diesel fuel that was missing the additive package...a problem you and I will likely never encounter. I guess my thoughts are that I'll stick with an additive that is ok with Chev (in my case) and Stanadyne seems to be acceptable to them.
According to the injector manufacturers (see link to their common position statement regarding diesel fuel), the problem is that US diesel fuel does not meet the lubricity requirements for their injectors. Despite that, these injectors continue to be used in our trucks (Ford and Chev...not sure about Dodge). In fact, they estimate life of injectors to be considerably less in vehicles using US spec fuel. The primary issue is fuel lubricity and scar ratings, although cetane ratings can also be problematic.
The following is a quote from the Bosch et al common position statement regarding fuel requirements for diesel engines. Please note that this is a statement issued by the manufacturers of the injectors used in our vehicles...not just some guys opinion on the internet. Why this isn't more of a widely reported issue, I don't know...but to me there is a design incompatibility here.
"Lubricity: It is essential that the lubricity of the fuel as measured by the HFRR test specified in ISO 12156-1 meets the requirement of a wear scar diameter not greater than 460 microns. In addition, it is recommended by the Diesel FIE manufacturers, that “first fill” of the fuel tank should be with fuel with
good lubricity characteristics (HFRR < 400 µm) in order to guarantee good “run-in” of the injection system components. The US diesel specification (ASTM D 975-09) includes a lubricity value of 520 µm maximum (according to ASTM D 6079). It is expected that the useful operating lifetime of any mechanical component will be adversely affected by fuel with a lubricity exceeding 460 microns."
The entire position statement is available at the following link;
http://www.globaldenso.com/en/topics/091012-01/documents/common_position_paper.pdf
Because of that, I use Stanadyne...a product made by one of these manufacturers.
What REALLY convinced me to use a fuel additive was owning a 6.0 ford diesel and having FORD tell me to use one. Amazing the difference in smoothness of the engine running an additive in that engine.
So, for me I do and that is why. Every tank. Injectors are a thousand bucks a pop...cheap insurance. The study you cite may or may not be valid. I seem to recall it was done with diesel fuel that was missing the additive package...a problem you and I will likely never encounter. I guess my thoughts are that I'll stick with an additive that is ok with Chev (in my case) and Stanadyne seems to be acceptable to them.
