Woodlander Posted October 25, 2013 Share Posted October 25, 2013 Do any of you techies out there know if fuel additives are effective?I'm thinking of the type which claim to clean the engines and boost efficiency, power and mpg.I treat the claims with some scepticism, but are they effective in any way? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tracker Posted October 25, 2013 Share Posted October 25, 2013 Snake Oil - don't waste your money! But if you want to try some and monitor the results we will all be delighted to read your findings in due course! A diesel specialist I spoke to suggested that Millers additives were as good or bad as any and at worst should do no harm? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
747 Posted October 25, 2013 Share Posted October 25, 2013 Woodlander - 2013-10-25 10:09 AMDo any of you techies out there know if fuel additives are effective?I'm thinking of the type which claim to clean the engines and boost efficiency, power and mpg.I treat the claims with some scepticism, but are they effective in any way?Redex and Forte spring to mind.Personally, I add some 2 stroke engine oil occasionally to my fuel, especially when using Supermarket fuel. Whether it works or not? ...... I am not bothered, I just do it. (I have put it that way as it might stop a spat emerging on here). :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Archiesgrandad Posted October 25, 2013 Share Posted October 25, 2013 We use them occasionally for our diesel cars, and we notice that tickover and slow running seem smoother. The theory is that carbon type rubbish is deposited around the injector by the combustion process and this means that the fuel is not injected as a fine mist, thereby inhibiting combustion leading to less power, higher fuel consumption and lumpier running. The additives break these deposits down, and I would have thought that as most of us drive around fairly gently in our vans that we might find some benefit . AGD I owe, I owe, so off to work I go Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Had Enough Posted October 25, 2013 Share Posted October 25, 2013 My favourite petrol head has spoken! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve928 Posted October 25, 2013 Share Posted October 25, 2013 Woodlander - 2013-10-25 10:09 AMDo any of you techies out there know if fuel additives are effective?I'm thinking of the type which claim to clean the engines and boost efficiency, power and mpg.I treat the claims with some scepticism, but are they effective in any way?Regarding cleaning the engine, you of course cannot clean something that isn't dirty and I would doubt that any moderm common-rail motorhome engine using around 30-40BHP/ton to haul a a heavy vehicle away from the lights and up over mountain passes while running on ULSD would suffer from carbon build-up. Given a dirty engine though they can be very effective: the engine in my boat is old technology mechanical injection and it lugs away at a steady 1600rpm all day on high sulphur red diesel (when available) and does suffer from carbon build-up. I use a cleaning additive, usually Redex Diesel, around mid-season and the results in the form of reduction of exhaust smoke and smoother running are clear.Regarding performance, most additives will raise the cetane rating of the fuel from the level of 48 of regular diesel up towards the rating of 55 that the premium diesel products offer. Whether this results in a performance or economy gain will depend upon many factors, but using a higher cetane rating fuel than an engine has been designed for will usually offer no benefit at all.One thing to bear in mind if you are tempted to try an additive, including 2 stroke oil, is to consider whether or not your engine has any post-combustion anti-pollution devices. Random additions to the fuel are not likely to cause much concern should you have an older engine, and Euro4 vans with a simple oxidation catalyst are unlikely to be damaged, but adding ANYTHING to the fuel for a Euro5 motor with DPF is going to give you a very large repair bill. These need to be fed with clean DIN EN 590 fuel and nothing else. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodlander Posted October 25, 2013 Author Share Posted October 25, 2013 Thanks for all your advice.I guess the jury is out on this one so...Better safe than sorry. Think I'll give the additives a miss. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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