Fuel additive recommendation by Cummins

[smokeylew]

A recent post on The Turbo Diesel Register mentioned that Cummins officially endorses Power Service Diesel Kleen and Diesel Fuel Supplement. I own a 2016 Ram 3500 Cummins Diesel with less than 20k on it. Never considered adding fuel supplements.

The post didn't make a case for using or not using fuel additives one way or the other. Although, there were some good points brought up about low sulfur content of diesel fuel and the added benefit of increased turbo lubricity when using the additive.

I'm wondering what your thoughts are on this subject and if you diesel guys recommend using a fuel additive like PS Diesel Kleen + Cetane Boost as endorsed by Cummins?

Thanking you in advance for you posts, Smokeylew

[Old-Biscuit]

smokeylew wrote:
A recent post on The Turbo Diesel Register mentioned that Cummins officially endorses Power Service Diesel Kleen and Diesel Fuel Supplement. I own a 2016 Ram 3500 Cummins Diesel with less than 20k on it. Never considered adding fuel supplements.

The post didn't make a case for using or not using fuel additives one way or the other. Although, there were some good points brought up about low sulfur content of diesel fuel and the added benefit of increased turbo lubricity when using the additive.

I'm wondering what your thoughts are on this subject and if you diesel guys recommend using a fuel additive like PS Diesel Kleen + Cetane Boost as endorsed by Cummins?

Thanking you in advance for you posts, Smokeylew

From the 2016 RAM Diesel Owners Manual pg 73
Commercially available fuel additives are not necessary for the proper operation of your diesel engine.

From Cummins
Fuel additives for lubricity are NOT required when using commercially available #2 diesel fuel or #1 / #2 winter blend diesel fuels.

Cummins Inc. neither approves nor disapproves the use of any fuel additive not manufactured or sold by Cummins Inc. or its subsidiaries.

But if mfg/sold by Cummins they do approve :B


Personally I do NOT use additives or any BIO above 5% (above 5% has to be identified at pumps)

[SidecarFlip]

My HEUI engine (7.3 Navistar) does suffer from injector 'sticktion' which is caused by soot buildup in the injectors themselves, why I use Archoil oil additive. It breaks down the carbon buildup in the injector bodies and allows the injectors to function properly. Been proven in real world testing by Navistar and Ford.... and it makes a real 'seat of the pants' difference in the way the engine performs, only reason I use it. I'm not a 'snake oil' fan, never have been.

I only use additives the counteract certain things like algae formation in sitting fuel tanks. I always do a spectroscopic analysis on my drain oil, never leave anything to chance.

Modern lubricants have all the required additives in them when you buy them. If the are Caterpillar / Cummins and DDEC certified, good enough for me. The engineers that develop them are much more astute than any Internet snake oil salesman.

I guess if you wan to throw your money at your vehicle with no concrete proof of worth other than someone's opinion on the Internet... have at it.

Myself, I'd rather spend my hard earned dollars elsewhere.

Have fun...

[FishOnOne]

Actually this is a bit old news...

Link

[SidecarFlip]

What the heck is 'Turbo Lubricity' anyway? the turbo is lubricated with pressurized crankcase oil not anything else. The film thickness ability of the lube oil keeps the bearings in the turbo lubricated.

Sounds to me like Internet folklore at work.

Cummins did have an issue with the ceramic followers that actuate the lift pump failing but if that occurs, the engine is toast anyway. Ceramic particles and bearings don't get along well.

I think people read way too much into Internet opinions which are in reality, just opinions, not factual in the real world.

Snake oil salesmen abound today.

[smokeylew]

Sorry for confusion "Me Again", the turbo lubricity comment was from the blog I mentioned and after rereading the post the comment was refering to using additive back in '97. The post did mention it wasn't necessary for that same reason today, however he was curious why Cummins was now endorsing additives... "Are they seeing something in the diesel fuel that is concerning them. Is our diesel fuel not up to the standards that it is supposed to be and Cummins is trying to tell us something?"

Just wondering myself.

[Me_Again]

smokeylew wrote:
A recent post on The Turbo Diesel Register mentioned that Cummins officially endorses Power Service Diesel Kleen and Diesel Fuel Supplement. I own a 2016 Ram 3500 Cummins Diesel with less than 20k on it. Never considered adding fuel supplements.

The post didn't make a case for using or not using fuel additives one way or the other. Although, there were some good points brought up about low sulfur content of diesel fuel and the added benefit of increased turbo lubricity when using the additive.

I'm wondering what your thoughts are on this subject and if you diesel guys recommend using a fuel additive like PS Diesel Kleen + Cetane Boost as endorsed by Cummins?

Thanking you in advance for you posts, Smokeylew

I do not quite understand your statement about "increased turbo lubricity". Maybe you could explain that in some detail.

When the ULSD came out I used WM 2 cycle oil in my 2001.5 RAM diesel fuel. It was all burned up when it exited the engine and passed thru the hot side of the turbo.

With the 2015 it gets diesel and DEF only in their respective tanks.

[SidecarFlip]

Depends on how much the truck sits idle, Like a lawnmower and e-gas, long term storage with fuel presents issues.

I use Archoil additives myself. Your mileage may vary.