Fuel Additives

[Jerry B]

It's time to treat the fuel. But I'm not sure about the shelf life of my: MARYKATE - YEAR ROUND FUEL TREATMENT & STABILIZER. I have a bottle that I purchased at the boat yard three years ago. Since I only have a nine gallon tank in an ODay 272LE, it requires just a few onces to treat my diesel fuel. Which leaves me with a half bottle of this stuff.
Does anyone have any input on how long additives remain effective? Or should I just quit being a penny pincher and just a new bottle?
Jerry
Panacea II

 

[MJWarner]

My hubby is a diesel mechanic and he says shelf life is almost indefinite, so he would go ahead and use it. I on the other hand, would sleep better all winter if I bought a new bottle. But then, I'm not a diesel mechanic or you.

 

[Mike B1026]

Was it well sealed?

 

[Rick2413]

I just finished winterizing my diesel with a bottle I purchased and used last year. I noticed the liquid was the consistency of motor oil but never thought much of it(as I couldn't remember from last year). I poured in the required amount and ran the engine and I assumed the thick liquid immediately got sucked to the feeding tube and clogged. My engine lost power and was unable to get any revs out of it. A mess I'll have to flush out......So, maybe the sake of a few dollars a fresh bottle each year might be worth it. Maybe it depends on the brand????

 

[alexco38]

Never seen additive liquid has the consistency of motor oil. May be you use engine oil additive such as Lucas which make oil stick better to help cold start.

Diesel oild additive usually very thin. The main purpose is to kill alge.

 

[pogo2]

I bought a diesel polishing kit from west marine 2 years ago, put the stuff in the tank as per instructions. The kit is to treat a 70 gal tank, I have a 30 gal tank so I just used half the amount. Great stuff I checked my primary filter on my electric fuel pump and found it was clear for the entire sailing season and the winter lay up. changed out the secondary filter off the engine add the remainder of the bottles, and wahlaa it did the same cleaning job. I bought 4 cases of the stuff and gave some to a couple friends to try out , they all have the same reviews, where a case lasts 2 years, or seasons. and there seems to be no effects of the bottles being opened and use with in the 2 seasons. MJ this should make it easier to sleep at nite, and tell the Mechanic he's so right.

 

[jimmcgee]

Hey Pogo I just did a search on West's web site. Are you talking about the Starbrite tank cleaner?

 

[Rick2413]

The stuff I used was in fact a Lucas product and was specific for algae. Next time I'm over at the boat I'll get the info as I would like to contact Lucas for feedback.

 

[samdale]

A little clarity

As VP of Sales and Marketing for Lucas Oil I can give some iformation on Lucas products. The algaecide is called Bio-Medic and is designed to control algae in diesel fuel. We also have a fuel treatment designed to lubricate todays dry diesel fuel and therefore assist in keeping seals and internal components in the upper cylindeer area well lubricated. Our fuel treatment is called Upper Cylinder Lubricant and should be used with every tank of fuel.
It is very inexpensive, available at all automotive parts retailers and yes, as all petroleum products it does have a shelf life.
In answer to the original question, regardless of wht you choose to use don't be a cheapo. Spend a few bucks and get a fresh bottle.
As elexco38 states Lucas HD Stabilizer will prevent dry starts on engines which is the number one cause of wear in engines that are not regularily started. It also adds lubrication to the motor oil. With regular use of these two products you can also extend your oil change interval, improve lubrication and reduce soot in the motor oil.
Enough of the sales pitch, try it yourself.

 

[Rick D]

Re: A little clarity

OK, pardon the hijack, Samdale, but my Subaru mechanic was a bit upset when I told him I had used an injector cleaner to clear up a misfire code on my Subaru, and it worked fine. He told me some of them are junk and cause more problems than they solve (altho the dealer uses some themselves every 20K). I told him it was Lucas and he said "in that case, OK". Of course, as a prior owner of an MG TD, Triumph Spitfire, Sunbeam Alpine and 30 year owner of my 1974 Jag XJ, I have come to know Lucas by other terms ;-)

 

[pogo2]

fuel polishing kit

Hey Pogo I just did a search on West's web site. Are you talking about the Starbrite tank cleaner?

The official name of the kit is Power Service Professional DIESEL FUEL POLISHING KIT. part #9325, this kit will treat fuel tanks up to 100 gal of fuel

 

[pogo2]

I do use Lucas Oil treatment in my Boat diesel as well as my 2 car engines 1963 Buick Special, 34,000 miles, 2000 Subaru Outback 185,000 miles and they all run great