Diesel Fuel Additive Test

ricatic wrote:

NHIrish wrote:
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.

...x 2...but many here will not believe what you posted...Your comment on the Ford and GM fuel injection systems is quite accurate but the real problem is not with the injectors. The problem is with the High Pressure Fuel Pump...known as a Bosch CP 4.2 pump. As you posted, these pumps are designed for 460 scar fuel. The US fuel standard is what you posted...but Canadian fuel is the 460 scar standard. Early in the Ford 6.7 HPFP debacles, the Canadian failure rate was considerably lower than the US failure rate...No wonder Ford sells a lubricity additive, PM22A, and highly recommends its use...

But they still take the position that the pump is fine and still deny all the warranty claims on HPFP that they possibly can get away with...

Meanwhile, GM uses the same pump...does not sell or recommend a lubricity additive...and warranties all HPFP failures...Good for GM

Shame on Ford...

Regards

The PM22 was initially made to help with the 6.0 psd EGR system from sooting up and my '12 Power Stroke supplement manual states "It should not be necessary to add any aftermarket additives to your fuel tank".

I spoke with my cousin recently about this topic and asked if the shop were he works at had any HPFP failures for both the RAM and Fords and were there any warranty denials, if a Ford Field engineer had to be present, and any red tape when approving a warranty repair.

He reported there was two Ford HPFP failures last year and one injector failure the year before, and three HPFP failures for the RAM's in which two had to have a complete fuel system overhaul. One of the Ford failures was due to gasoline in the fuel system and the warranty was denied and the second found no issue per Fords checklist and was covered under warranty. He said they do not require a Ford Field engineer that has to come by to approve a repair like many have reported, but they do have to send pictures to Ford before a warranty repair can be approved. To his knowledge if the fuel system meets the requirements of the Ford checklist (i.e. no DEF crystals on fuel filters, no rust on a regulator on the HPFP, and no evidence of gas in the system that Ford covers these repairs.

He drives a '02 Super Duty 7.3 psd and uses PM22 to help with cetane because of some really poor quality fuel he's run into in South Texas while running back and forth to the deer lease, and the real reason it helps with improving the fuel economy especially with the PM22. His truck has ~300k miles and has all eight original injectors.