Diesel Additives
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,121
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From: Connecticut
2018 BMW 540d
Unlike some I wouldn't touch any additives...at least not while my Bluetec is under warranty.It runs very nicely without them and I've even been able to (easily!) start my previous diesel on a -31F morning with nothing but *locally blended* diesel in the tank.The warranty on my Bluetec (and,I suspect,other late model MB diesels) specifically forbids the use of any additives.That,alone,is why I won't do it.And,luckily,I don't seem to need them...warm weather or cold.
Of course some here (many?) would disagree,but....
Of course some here (many?) would disagree,but....
Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 134
Likes: 1
2006 E320 CDI 235 hp 420 ft tq
I used Power Service on my last car a 2003 VW TDI from day one to 200,000 miles.
The injectors that I put in went for 150,000 miles with no problems.
My VW was far from stock so I wanted the most cetane I could get.
I never had a problem water , injector pump.
The cheap diesel here in the U.S. is not good for much but large trucks that is why I have used it in every tank of fuel I put in.
Just go to MB and ask if they have a fuel additive I bet they do.
The dealer I go to did , but they never had much demand so they dropped it.
The injectors that I put in went for 150,000 miles with no problems.
My VW was far from stock so I wanted the most cetane I could get.
I never had a problem water , injector pump.
The cheap diesel here in the U.S. is not good for much but large trucks that is why I have used it in every tank of fuel I put in.
Just go to MB and ask if they have a fuel additive I bet they do.
The dealer I go to did , but they never had much demand so they dropped it.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2008
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From: 1 hours drive north of Sydney Australia
2007 W204 220CDI Classic Sedan
https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...-climates.html
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 625
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From: Australia
X350d GLE500e 2017, ML350 BlueTec 2012(sold), A200 2013, ML350CDI 2009(sold), Aston Martin DB7 2003
Times have changed, and so have fuels. I always used an additives in the past but now we have low sulphur fuel and high pressure injection. We do not tend to have the same grunge build up on the injectors with the erratic starting and black smoke as we had 20 years ago once past 100,000km.
My last car I checked the injectors at 116,000 and they were spotless without any additive.
We have better water traps and rust preventive treatment in the tanks so the bio bug risk is somewhat diminished.
We also have different rubbers in the injectors which could perhaps be affected by some lesser additive.
I will not use an additive unless:-
1/ A new problem is found to exist; and
2/ The additive is specifically designed to suit the OM642 engine, by a reputable manufacturer.
My last car I checked the injectors at 116,000 and they were spotless without any additive.
We have better water traps and rust preventive treatment in the tanks so the bio bug risk is somewhat diminished.
We also have different rubbers in the injectors which could perhaps be affected by some lesser additive.
I will not use an additive unless:-
1/ A new problem is found to exist; and
2/ The additive is specifically designed to suit the OM642 engine, by a reputable manufacturer.
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 313
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From: Toronto, Canada
2005 E320 CDI (sold); 2007 R320 CDI (sold); 2008 ML320 CDI; 2014 ML350 Bluetec
First of all, diesel in NA is in range ~40 octane and in Europe ~ 55 (not expert but it could damage injectors on long run).
Power service is increasing octane value for ~8 and it brings to Europe octane value.
As for cleaning, I agree that current USLD is clean enough that you don't need extra cleaning but from time to time, you can get diesel from bottom of tank which it could include some dirt, water etc.
Also, a lot of additives are designed for OM642, bio-diesel engine and you have to check label before put in tank.
In my case, I see difference in power and engine work with Power Service additive - I put EVERY time around one glass when I fill tank ..
My 0.02 $ ...
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Joined: Jan 2011
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From: Central Pennsylvania
2012 S350 Bluetec 4Matic, Diamond White, P2
I have used Power Service Diesel Kleen (gray bottle) in every diesel I have owned from day one to well over 100K miles on each one. A great product. Diesel has a natural affinity to moisture, and over time, water collects in the tank. This particular additive helps to remove water from the tank. How can that be a bad thing? Great product.
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Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 430
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From: USA, EU
06 E320 CDI (GONE), 14 Jeep GC EcoDiesel, 01 Disco II (GONE), 09 BMW X3 3.0 Si Xdrive
Modern low sulfur diesel fuel has lower lubricating abilities and your expensive high-pressure fuel pump and injectors would definitely appreciate some additional lubricity from those additives, plus increased cetane number. I am using this product:
http://www.schaefferoil.com/diesel-t...00-winter.html
http://www.schaefferoil.com/diesel-t...00-winter.html
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Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 28
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2012 S350 Bluetec
Another problem with additives that "remove water from the tank" is that they remove water from the tank. Where does it go? Through the injectors which is where you don't want it. You want water to seperate out and be removed by the fuel filter. It is designed to do this. It can not handle water that is emulsified by additives that Mercedes tells you not to use. My 2 cents.
Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 134
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2006 E320 CDI 235 hp 420 ft tq
Another problem with additives that "remove water from the tank" is that they remove water from the tank. Where does it go? Through the injectors which is where you don't want it. You want water to seperate out and be removed by the fuel filter. It is designed to do this. It can not handle water that is emulsified by additives that Mercedes tells you not to use. My 2 cents.
Power Service Gray Bottle does not remove water , the White bottle does.
So on the gray bottle the fuel filter stops water and the white its emulsified.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 3,714
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From: 1 hours drive north of Sydney Australia
2007 W204 220CDI Classic Sedan
I am lucky to have a fuel filter with a water sensor & bleed tube.
I would not use any additives other than the ones recommended by MB.
I would not use any additives other than the ones recommended by MB.
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 430
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From: USA, EU
06 E320 CDI (GONE), 14 Jeep GC EcoDiesel, 01 Disco II (GONE), 09 BMW X3 3.0 Si Xdrive
The prior statement has been corrected to show factual information;
Modern low sulfur diesel fuel has no lubricating problem, its entirely a marketing myth, and your expensive high-pressure fuel pump and injectors are designed to use it. Adding anything to your fuel tank except clean diesel is no different than adding money to your toilet.
Modern low sulfur diesel fuel has no lubricating problem, its entirely a marketing myth, and your expensive high-pressure fuel pump and injectors are designed to use it. Adding anything to your fuel tank except clean diesel is no different than adding money to your toilet.
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 430
Likes: 6
From: USA, EU
06 E320 CDI (GONE), 14 Jeep GC EcoDiesel, 01 Disco II (GONE), 09 BMW X3 3.0 Si Xdrive
This is true and Mercedes is the one making money when comes to service due to premature failure of fuel system components. By the way, who makes fuel system parts (HPFP and injectors) for MB?
Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 86
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From: San Antonio, TX, USA
98 E300
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 430
Likes: 6
From: USA, EU
06 E320 CDI (GONE), 14 Jeep GC EcoDiesel, 01 Disco II (GONE), 09 BMW X3 3.0 Si Xdrive
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,321
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From: Virginia
W212 M276 DELA 30 ; W211 M113k, W126 M117, W126 OM617, W211 OM642 ; R107 M117 X2, Sierra 1500 LZ0
of course it is. He also uses the following monikers: OM617" ,"forcedinduction", "zedd", "240d" ,"Cran",OelMotor, "Diesel_Benz", "NakedApe", depending on how many times he's been banned from a particular forum. It's not only mbworld that he gets banned from, he's literally banned from every single forum he's ever been a member of.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 348
Likes: 2
From: Houston, Tx
2015 C63S
I personaly do not feel the need for adding additives. I know some people will always toss out the claim they used them since day 1 and achieved X miles without issues but can always find other people who achieved X miles and never put in an additive since day 1.
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 134
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2006 E320 CDI 235 hp 420 ft tq
How much does peace of mind cost?
I keep most of my cars and trucks a long time and drive a lot.
The last thing I want is to break down 1000 miles from home.
So I do all the little things to keep my car new.
When I change my fuel filter I fill it up with power service.
I keep most of my cars and trucks a long time and drive a lot.
The last thing I want is to break down 1000 miles from home.
So I do all the little things to keep my car new.
When I change my fuel filter I fill it up with power service.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 348
Likes: 2
From: Houston, Tx
2015 C63S
How do you know for certain that any additive you add is not actually causing problems in the long run? No gurantees it helps things and none that it does not hurt either. Just playing devils advocate here because I doubt any hurt but know some do help none.
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 313
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From: Toronto, Canada
2005 E320 CDI (sold); 2007 R320 CDI (sold); 2008 ML320 CDI; 2014 ML350 Bluetec
I am using additive for long time (for every MB car in past) and so far, no problems ..Considering what it could be in today diesel (all kind of dirt along with water), a small glass of 'something' cannot be wrong, isn't it?
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 348
Likes: 2
From: Houston, Tx
2015 C63S
How do you know for certain that any additive you add is not <actually causing problems> HELPING in the long run?
I am using additive for long time (for every MB car in past) and so far, no problems ..Considering what it could be in today diesel (all kind of dirt along with water), a small glass of 'something' cannot be wrong, isn't it?
I am using additive for long time (for every MB car in past) and so far, no problems ..Considering what it could be in today diesel (all kind of dirt along with water), a small glass of 'something' cannot be wrong, isn't it?
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1985 300DT
Far more than its worth.
The only way to ensure that is to not drive your car 1000 miles from home.
Thats not its intended use, also, the fuel pump flows all the fuel out of the filter and back to the tank before its even been running 5 seconds.
Unless you're sucking fuel out of a tank thats been sitting in a farmer's field for 20 years, modern fuel is cleaner than ever.
You and millions of fleet vehicles around the world proves recreational fuel additives are not needed or useful.
The last thing I want is to break down 1000 miles from home.
When I change my fuel filter I fill it up with power service.
Considering what it could be in today diesel (all kind of dirt along with water)
I though have never used an additive and put 100's of thousands of miles on my vehicles and never had a problem related to the engines/fuel systems.
