Diesel injector cleaner and other fuel additives.

[Disco Muppet]

Anybody use or have experience with things like the diesel injector cleaner?
Just looking to clean the engine up a bit as it seems to be a bit laggy, however never haven driven another Td5 I can't really compare.
Any thoughts would be appreciated.
Cheers
Muppet

[Naks]

Anybody use or have experience with things like the diesel injector cleaner?

Hi,

I usually chuck in a bottle of Wynns diesel cleaner every 3000km or so in both the Audi and the landy, works like a bomb. Guys in the UK like to user Forte, not sure what brand you have in Oz.

Else you can use 2-stroke oil every second tank or so, ratio of 1:200 to the amount of diesel.

[dero]

I have asked this question of a few mechanics , and a popular answer seems to be , put a dose of inj cleaner in the fuel filter when you change it .

[blue_mini]

I ran one that you put straight into the pump so it isn't diluted at all. Made my 200tdi a lot smoother and a mates 4.2 non-turbo cruiser much much better.

Got it from super cheap for about $16, made in germany is all i remember about it.

[chazza]

Cost Effective Maintenance make a seriously good cleaner, which suits diesel and petrol,

Cheers Charlie

[tangus89]

Chemtech diesel additive is the best stuff. we sell loads of it, especially to truckers. Use it in all my diesels every 3rd or so tank. far less haze in the cars behind headlights on acceleration.

[Fluids]

X2 for the chemtech.

Sent from my iPad using Braille

[rick130]

Redline RL2 just plain works as a cleaner and lubricant without any nasty side effects.
IMO two stroke lube is just that, it doesn't work that well as a cleaner.

As I mention in every thread like this that seems to pop up every second week or so, be careful as a lot of fuel cleaners are corrosive to bearing metals in the crankcase.

It's very easy to see the effects in used oil analysis with high lead and tin readings.
Yes, I have observed the effects.

[SimonM]

Redline RL2 just plain works as a cleaner and lubricant without any nasty side effects.
IMO two stroke lube is just that, it doesn't work that well as a cleaner.

As I mention in every thread like this that seems to pop up every second week or so, be careful as a lot of fuel cleaners are corrosive to bearing metals in the crankcase.

It's very easy to see the effects in used oil analysis with high lead and tin readings.
Yes, I have observed the effects.

Rick - do you have any negative experience with the Chemtec stuff?

[ade]

I have used chemtech fo years with no bad results, tested by the german TUV

[tangus89]

Here's a bit of info from the Repco site.

Chemtech Diesel Fuel Additive Technical Bulletin (http://www.repcotrade.com.au/go/news/chemtech-diesel-fuel-additive-technical-bulletin)
there is also more info on the chemtech (http://www.chemtech.net.au/chemtech_technicalinfo.html) site in a downloadable pdf.

[rick130]

Never used it, sorry.

[rick130]

I have used chemtech fo years with no bad results, tested by the german TUV

Do you have UOA's to back that up ?

Not meaning to pick on you, but I read on forums all the time "I use xyz without any bad results" yet how do you know ?

I've used BP's Dieselgo fuel additive, and you'd think that would be OK coming from a huge fuel company, yet it instantly showed up as much higher than normal bearing wear numbers in a used oil analysis.

Went back to Redline RL2 and the numbers came back to normal.

There's a reason why Caltex only recommend their excellent Vortex petrol cleaner once, maybe twice during an oil change cycle or to use it the tank before an oil change.

The stuff gets past the rings into the sump with normal combustion blowby gasses and can play merry hell on soft metals if used too frequently or in high doses.

[gofish]

I have used Chemtec in the past but was put onto Wurths by my (Land Rover) mechanic. Whilst on fuel additives...I went to the snow last Fri. & put diesel additive in to help with waxing & got a lot better fuel economy. The company stated that it would although I was still surprised.

[ade]

WTF is a UOA??
Do you have UOA's to back that up ?

Not meaning to pick on you, but I read on forums all the time "I use xyz without any bad results" yet how do you know ?

I've used BP's Dieselgo fuel additive, and you'd think that would be OK coming from a huge fuel company, yet it instantly showed up as much higher than normal bearing wear numbers in a used oil analysis.

Went back to Redline RL2 and the numbers came back to normal.

There's a reason why Caltex only recommend their excellent Vortex petrol cleaner once, maybe twice during an oil change cycle or to use it the tank before an oil change.

The stuff gets past the rings into the sump with normal combustion blowby gasses and can play merry hell on soft metals if used too frequently or in high doses.

[ade]

and actually looking at the pictures of chemtech, I realise its not what I use. Cant think of the name of what I use now?

[rick130]

WTF is a UOA??

Sorry, Used Oil Analysis.

[Blknight.aus]

I personally do not reccomend the adding of "cleaners" to the tank

octane stabalisers/enhancers, de waterers, anti foamers, snot killers, anti gellers are all fine just dont use "cleaners".

[PAT303]

My VW Polo had Wurths cleaner put through it every service by a VW specialist that I used and it's still going strong after 15 years,never had an injector issue with it but I've also never had an injector issue with the Tdi after 14 years not using it either. Pat

[justinc]

i am about 60km into a tank of fuel treated with CEM decarboniser. i thought i would give it a go after all the stuff i have read and heard. so far i haven't noticed anything, but not expecting any results until the tank is nearly used up, usually in around 650km time.

not sure what i will or won't see, i have almost 600,000km up, without a set of injector tips or pump rebuild, so far engine uses almost no oil and has low blowby.

i'll report anything i see/ find:)

jc

[damo79]

Another vote for Chemtech Diesel Power from me. Been around for years and love it. Used it in my previous 2 4wd's and wouldn't hesitate to use it again (except my D1 is petrol). Heard there is a new Wynns diesel additive coming out in the next couple of months that's meant to be a step further and will even kill alge that already exists in the tank.

[kreecha]

Cost Effective Maintenance make a seriously good cleaner, which suits diesel and petrol,

Cheers Charlie

X2

They also make some other good products.

[Fluids]

I've been running Chemtech in the Td5 for 3yrs now .... Mainly as a preventative measure. Haven't had any problems. On average I probably dose every second tank.

Sent from my iPad using Braille

[pawl]

i am about 60km into a tank of fuel treated with CEM decarboniser. i thought i would give it a go after all the stuff i have read and heard. so far i haven't noticed anything, but not expecting any results until the tank is nearly used up, usually in around 650km time.

not sure what i will or won't see, i have almost 600,000km up, without a set of injector tips or pump rebuild, so far engine uses almost no oil and has low blowby.

i'll report anything i see/ find:)

jc

Yeah I too am trying the CEM decarboniser in my 300tdi and after towing a van to Gold Coast and back from Ballarat, I have noticed the engine oil is alot blacker than normal after 5,000kms. It just looks like really old oil.
I mainly tried it because of what I've read and thought after 360,000kms it may help give it a clean/deglaze, but noticed no improvement or any difference to running.
I added it to every refill and previously for approx 2 months before the trip, so what Rick130 said about additives has now got me wondering.

[LOVEMYRANGIE]

Best result I got to improve overall performance was adjusting the injector clearances, using a premium diesel like BP Ultimate and steering clear of Biodiesel full stop.
I've used one bottle of Chemtech at the nominated dilution with really no results I could see, hear or feel. I've never had snot problems and what I thought was possibly a blockage was actually mid adjusted injector clearances and a noisy crank sensor signal fixed with 3 cans of Supercrap Export degreaser and a hose up the drain plate at 1500 rpm.

Ahhhh.... It's good to be back!


Using Capitals, the difference between helping your Uncle Jack off a horse or helping your uncle jack off a horse...

[superquag]

Steering clear of 'what' BioDiesel.. ? - the "...up to 20%" GULL er, stuff, - or properly made/washed/dried/filtered home-made Bio from decent feed-stock?

Big differance.


I used to use Fuel-Set with my previous diesels, and replaced the OEM fuel filters with a CAV filter/sedimenter.

[LOVEMYRANGIE]

In WA there's only Gull IIRC but i think a few of the independents also use the same/similar supply from oberseas.
Not just the diesel but I've had issues with their petrol too in years gone by in V6 and V8 Commodore utes I've had.


Using Capitals, the difference between helping your Uncle Jack off a horse or helping your uncle jack off a horse...

[Rick Fischer]

Chemtech diesel additive is the best stuff. we sell loads of it, especially to truckers. Use it in all my diesels every 3rd or so tank. far less haze in the cars behind headlights on acceleration.

Cooma Diesel (Has HUGE Rep) recommends only the Chemtech, and at every fill. At 1ml a litre it is good insurance, and a bottle lasts months.

Cheers

RF

[bicubic]

Do you have UOA's to back that up ?

Not meaning to pick on you, but I read on forums all the time "I use xyz without any bad results" yet how do you know ?

I've used BP's Dieselgo fuel additive, and you'd think that would be OK coming from a huge fuel company, yet it instantly showed up as much higher than normal bearing wear numbers in a used oil analysis.

Went back to Redline RL2 and the numbers came back to normal.

There's a reason why Caltex only recommend their excellent Vortex petrol cleaner once, maybe twice during an oil change cycle or to use it the tank before an oil change.

The stuff gets past the rings into the sump with normal combustion blowby gasses and can play merry hell on soft metals if used too frequently or in high doses.

Have you encountered any information on this product – BC250 Diesel Fuel Biocide? It's made by FuelTreat here in Melbourne. I'm trying it in my TDi (which is giving great economy) to mainly combat any old, buggy outback fuel I might encounter on my travels. I'd certainly be interested in any knowledge you might have of it. I have a feeling it's used more in bulk supplies and in the mining sector...

Paul

[rick130]

No, sorry, but biocides are usually ok from what I've heard.

FWIW I've never had any more than a little snot in the sedimentor, which reminds me it's well overdue for a clean.

Mines getting exceptional economy ATM too, I bettered 10l/100km on one tank last week :eek: (normally average around 11.5-11.8l/100km, but it's fully loaded then)

It was a 1600k trip with no load and I averaged around 10.3l/100km driving at around 110km/h for the most part. (255/85-16's too, so the odo is reading pretty well correct, unlike a Deefer with235/85's where most peoples economy is about 7-8% optimistic)
I used some RL2 for the first time in six months too but can't say whether it played any part at all.

[bicubic]

Hmmmm... I'll see how I go with the BC250 as a biocide and cleaner. It's hard to tell as the economy is already quite good and only improves when using Caltex Vortex Diesel (though that diesel does warm the engine up a little more—which is another story).