Fuel additive survey. Is it “Snake Oil”?

Johnynorthland · 09-26-2021, 07:22 AM

I’m just curious, I have a 2019 Redhawk, E450 engine. How many people out there religiously use fuel additives/injector cleaner in their rigs, and at what intervals? And do you notice a difference in ANY performance or economy?

SmokerBill · 09-26-2021, 10:22 AM

I have a 2011 Ram with the 5.7 Hemi engine and never used any additives. The engine has 148k miles on it, uses next to no oil - I rarely have to add any between oil changes, usually every 4 to 5 thousand miles.

Yesterday I took a 150 mile drive on the interstate and ended up getting right at 22 mpg. It seems to do fine for an old truck that never saw a drop of additive in the gas tank, not even injector cleaner.

Jagiven · 09-26-2021, 11:36 AM

Modern fuels are ready good, especially for vehicles that are on the road regularly.

Modern fuel also has a lot of ethanol in it. This fuel has a 2 to 3 month shelf life. Pending on your usage, and fuel choices. At minimum end of a trip fill your tank full. This minimized the mount of water the ethanol can absorb. At the end of the season, I would add a fuel stabilizer.

**JFlightRisk** · 09-26-2021, 02:32 PM

Once a year I'll add a bottle of K100 to a full tank in both vehicles. I've witnessed how well it will remove water from gas (or diesel), so it's the only product I need to use. It's only a small precaution since neither one goes more than 6K or 8K miles a year now.

Colorado · 09-26-2021, 02:49 PM

I used this in my 7.3L diesel and now in my 6.6L Duramax…

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Archoil-Die...-127632-2357-0

LuckyDuck · 09-26-2021, 06:02 PM

I use this for my 1999 7.3L diesel. Can’t say I have definitive proof it makes a big difference, but it doesn’t hurt and isn’t terribly expensive. https://puredieselpower.com/products...yABEgI2lPD_BwE

pconroy · 09-27-2021, 08:59 PM

I throw a can of Seafoam in the tank at the start of every season. But I have no solid reason to do so. And Stabil goes in during the end of the season.

Jagiven · 09-27-2021, 09:26 PM

What works for diesel is not relevant to the OPs question for a Class C MH.

Scoutmaster253 · 09-28-2021, 05:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jagiven

What works for diesel is not relevant to the OPs question for a Class C MH.

Why not? Are there no diesels in a class c?

foglght · 09-28-2021, 06:29 AM

If you assume everything is running right, you don't leave it sitting for long periods of time and the gas you got at the pump was right to spec there is no need for a fuel additive.

Items like Seafoam can instantly help if you have, say, a sticky lifter or similar (in the oil). If the engine is really mucked up with carbon deposits, putting it in the fuel tank isn't going to do much. Once you fall outside normal operating parameters things start to go south.

curver900 · 09-28-2021, 06:50 AM

generally speaking unless they have some data to prove their product does what it says (increase mileage is an example) then it is most likely snake oil... if you stick with top tier gas and you stay away from enthenol at the end of the year you will not have any problems. I personally add some seafoam as stabilizer to my gas when i fill up at the end of the season. I have not had any carb or injector issues with any of the many toys that sit for far to long is this cold and miserable climate up north.

DocBrown · 09-28-2021, 06:55 AM

If your gas engine is direct injected, then something like Lucas Deep Clean can be beneficial because gas doesn't pass through the intake valve. The valves and valve ports can get a carbon build up. Otherwise I generally never add anything.

hoppers4 · 09-28-2021, 07:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jagiven

Modern fuels are ready good, especially for vehicles that are on the road regularly.

Modern fuel also has a lot of ethanol in it. This fuel has a 2 to 3 month shelf life. Pending on your usage, and fuel choices. At minimum end of a trip fill your tank full. This minimized the mount of water the ethanol can absorb. At the end of the season, I would add a fuel stabilizer.

X2

SkyBound · 09-28-2021, 07:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pconroy

I throw a can of Seafoam in the tank at the start of every season. But I have no solid reason to do so. And Stabil goes in during the end of the season.

SeaFoam is a stabilizer as well, so you could just add it at beginning and end of season and do without the Stabil.

TWP723 · 09-28-2021, 07:59 AM

I use BG products.

TWP723 · 09-28-2021, 08:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pconroy

I throw a can of Seafoam in the tank at the start of every season. But I have no solid reason to do so. And Stabil goes in during the end of the season.

I use SeaFoam in EVERYTHING I have but my truck. Although I could.

RogerR · 09-28-2021, 08:10 AM

I have bought many products over 55 years of driving and never noticed anything.
But --- check your tire air, clean air filter, plugs, wires, etc. as needed yield better mileage, easier starting and reliability every time.

Ps being fall and temperatures falling your TPMS may not warn you your pressure is well below door sticker until it hits the unsafe/low amount. Check and fill and as cold weather comes into town.

Jagiven · 09-28-2021, 08:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scoutmaster253

Why not? Are there no diesels in a class c?

The Greyhawks and Redhawks these are the most common Class C MH, they do not have a diesel option. The Melbourne (class C) which is on a Mercedes chassis comes with a diesel, which I forgot is a class C and not a B.

The B's also are on a Mercedes chassis with a diesel.

The Super C's are all diesel.

This is why it is so important for the OP to state what rig they have (he did, 2019 Redhawk), so they can get the best and most accurate replies.

CAG · 10-05-2021, 11:18 AM

There are numerous posts in various truck/car sites about low sulfur diesel fuel and diesel trucks in the US. Most all recommend some form of lubricating additives because of issues with CP3s/4s in all diesel trucks.

As for gas, that is what the detergents in gas is for. Keeps the internal workings, including injectors clean.

So, for gas engines it probably is not necessary but if it makes you feel better add it and for diesel most strongly suggest lubricating additives. The CP4 GM Duramax suit is still on-going. If you don't know what that is Google Duramax+CP3+CP4.

craigav · 10-05-2021, 11:34 AM

I use "Sta-Bil" in my gas but only the last tank full of any RVing as sometimes I don't get out as often as I used to and prefer to keep the gasoline as fresh as possible to keep it from separating or gumming up (I also always run the engine at least monthly). I also use Sta-Bil in my portable generators and lawnmowers but again, only when I am not using them (storage). ~CA

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