bertram31.com

Ok.

As I prepare for my first season of running diesels I was wondering what the diesel guys use for additives when they fill up. Some sort of biocide or cetane boost?

I have no clue.

doug
i use stanadyne
www.stanadyne.com

Thanks for the quick response.

It looks like there are several different types. Which one specifically are you using? What exactly does it do? Do you add it every time you get fuel?

I use the maintenance dose of biobore when fueling up.

Used cetane booster a couple times last year with no immediately noticeable effect.

I'm interested to hear everyone's snake oil of choice and their reasons for using them.

Since I bought my first diesel boat in 1999, I have never used an additive. In my opinion, if you use the boat enough, buy fuel from a reputable source and have a very good filtration system, additives are not needed. Every 2 years when I haul out for maintenance, I have the yard tilt the boat bow high. I remove the fuel pick up and suck off of the bottom of the tank with a bucket pump, hose and copper tube. I have only picked up a minimal amount of sediment and never any water. Recently, I have been concerned with low sulfur diesel and its lack of lubrication. I am told that Yanmar is not recommending any additive at this time. If I were to use an additive for lubrication, I would also choose the Stanadyne product formulated for that purpose.

Eddy G.

In my opinion, if you use the boat enough, buy fuel from a reputable source and have a very good filtration system, additives are not needed

Only when relating to algae.

The diesel in this country is crap and needs an additive for various conditions.

As one who works on, tears down and puts these engines back together, I see the difference in those that use an additive and those that don't.

The thing is the additive has to be used on every fill up, not just a few times a year for it to do its thing.

Better burn, less smoking, less wear and better performance are just some of the benefits.

Bruce, which additive do you like? Stanadyne made a marine formula several years ago that they discontinued. I did use it for several tank fulls when I first purchased my boat since it had sat for a while.

Eddy G.

Bruce,

I too would like to know what you'd recommend.

Every time I start my diesels when they are cold they emit enormous amounts of blue smoke. When new the smoke was minimal. 65 hours is still new but they are definitley smokers as they age. Clears up significantly after you run it though. I am all ears for the propper lubrication additive.

Kevin - they do that, but a trick is to always start them with the throttles at idle, much less smoke. The other remedy is block heaters.

UV

I live in S. Jersey, I use cetane 8, very little smoke on startups. I buy fuel from a marina that sells more fuel by far than anyone else. My engines are 315 yanmars. ( 2003 model)

Vic, Wait a minute! You mean to tell me you are not supposed to pump the throttle when starting a diesel? That made me chuckle.

Kevin, Maybe your care package, thats still setting in my shop will help. Now that I'm in the shop for a bit till the shoulder gets better, I should be able to get it in the post.
Please PM me the secret location for disimination using my decoder ring

Majic 8 ball sais definitley yes to a PM

I use Standynes and FPPF, but there are others that work well. Avoid most of the products sold at the discount marine stores.

Discount marine store? Is that an Oxymron?

I use Power service. One quart with each 100 gallons. Adds pomp lube and cetane.

doug
i use stanadyne
www.stanadyne.com

What Doug Said.

A service department person @ Mastry recomended FPPF products. www.fppf.com

Is there a shelf life on Stanadyne? As I am getting very close (believe it or not) to putting Dreamsicle in the wa for a water line I need to fill the tank. Hopefully it won't be long (months) before actual launch but I'm taking no chances, so is Stanadyne Performance Formula the right stuff and should I buy it by the case (the shelf life question)?

mikey
i dont think theres a shelf life on it, a friend picks me up a case at a time. stanadye one shot 8 oz treats 30 gals. appox $60.00 per case

According to the distributor for the Boston area, the 16oz. sells for $4.89 a bottle and treats 60 gallons. They also make a half gallon size that treats 250 gallons and sells for $16.99.

Do these prices sound about right?

doug
thats about right