Diesel Fuel Additives

CoastLife · 12-12-2021, 05:10 PM

The original owners of my 2003 7.3 diesel suggested I use a fuel additive (I don't recall the name or type) with each fill up. I live in California so I know that I don't need one for cold weather (unless I travel). The van has 88,000 miles and runs "perfectly" at slow speeds and on the highway where I average 75 MPH at 10 MPG. The last oil and filter change was in January 2021, less than 5,000 miles ago. Any input appreciated.

Twoxentrix · 12-12-2021, 05:29 PM

Stanbadyne, Amsoil, Hot shot, Archoil, or Rev-X (I alternate Amsoil & Archoil, and also use the Amsoil Cetane boost with each fill-up)

REF · 12-12-2021, 05:39 PM

Welcome to the 7.3 club, becoming more and more difficult to find clean low mileage ones.
Some people use additives with every fill up, I’m a bit less religious with its use. They help keep things clean and properly lubricated in the fuel system, some also contain cetane boosters.
Look for Power Service Diesel Clean, Hot Shots Diesel Extreme or Lucas

**daveb** · 12-13-2021, 10:39 AM

I started using fuel additives after an injector failure. I used Ford cetane booster for several years. I started using Hot Shot oil additive but switched to Archoil stiction additive in the oil so I also switched their fuel additive. The Archoil fuel additive has been working fine for me but it was their oil additive where I saw a huge improvement especially on cold startups. IMO using any cetane booster helps with fuel issues so probably depends what you want to spend when picking brands. I buy the Archoil kit that comes with oil and fuel additives. Since using their fuel additives I haven't had any issues with my Espar heaters and hope that continues.

CoastLife · 12-13-2021, 10:45 AM

Thank you for the thoughtful response. Have a nice day!

This old va · 01-16-2022, 02:17 PM

I use Diesel Kleen, ( silver bottle) it's available everywhere..generally each fill-up.

Scared about a injector failure$$$$$$..lose sleep worring about the double the cost " due to being a van" maintenance...lol
I've had several mechanics just flat-out refuse to work on them no matter what I paid them.

Also... You say you get 10 miles a gallon it's 75 mph ?
I have 230k on mine.. and I get 17 MPG? However my ban only weighs 7500 lb while heavy is light weight for a E350 extra cab

Dearranged · 01-16-2022, 04:03 PM

Ford OEM is dead head fuel system, if it has been modified to return to tank the fuel cools the injectors.

If it is still dead head, cheap 2 cycle oil is up there with the best of them. This link is detailed.

https://www.thetruckersreport.com/tr....202055/page-3

vandiesel · 01-17-2022, 11:02 AM

I have heard old timers put a few gallons of unleaded in their diesels at fillip. I will say also that it was from more than a handful of people. I admit I've poured used mower gas in my 7.3 when I owned it. I also ran b100 in it for years as well. Anyone have insight into this practice?

JoeH · 01-17-2022, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vandiesel

I have heard old timers put a few gallons of unleaded in their diesels at fillip. I will say also that it was from more than a handful of people. I admit I've poured used mower gas in my 7.3 when I owned it. I also ran b100 in it for years as well. Anyone have insight into this practice?

Your probably thinking ATF which was an old practice back in the day. But that's when it was basically an oil and the newer transmission fluids with all the detergents and friction modifiers are no Bueno. The newer additives in modern ATF are not meant to burn or be combusted and certainly not good for injectors. Generally from what little I know it's best to use a made-for-diesel fuel additive.

shenrie · 01-17-2022, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vandiesel

Anyone have insight into this practice?

I’ve watched owners of the old cummins 12valves pour every kind of oil based liquid they could find into their tanks. atf, brake fluid, etc. I had guys hawking me for the tub of brake fluid I just flushed out my car. Told the guy sure but wtf did he want it for? I mean it was spend brake fluid. he told me he would use it for fuel. that was a first and definitely new news to me, haha.

when I inquired I was told it’s not a good thing to do with any of the powerstroke motors, but the old 12v’s can handle anything oil based.