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Diesel additive water remover.

  • Don’t use it

    Votes: 9 60%
  • Add it every fill up

    Votes: 3 20%
  • Add it seasonally

    Votes: 0 0%
  • Add it once and awhile every few fill ups

    Votes: 3 20%
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1stiski

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2021 ZR2 Bison, duramax diesel and completely stock .
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239 Posts
Discussion starter · #1 ·
Have a long time diesel truck owner buddie that has informed me I should use water remover diesel additive often in the truck . I haven’t reviewed my owners manual as of yet but wondered what the consensus is on this.
 
The 2021 diesel suppliment has a few things to say on this:

- First, it says that if you are not using 'Top Tier' diesel then you should be adding a fuel treatment. Top Tier diesel is not available in very many locations, so you probably are not using it.

- Second, it says to only use AC Delco additive. But we know people will use other stuff and so does GM, so they give some guidance.

  • Lubricity improvers are good
  • No alcohols in the additive
  • No organo-metallic compounds in the additive
  • No water emulsifiers in the additive.

Presumably a water de-emulsifier is good. Such an additive will help ensure the water remains separated from the diesel and can be removed by the water separator unit.

I use Opti-Lube with every fillup which meets all of GM's guidance with the exception that it is not the AC Delco additive.
 
The 2021 diesel suppliment has a few things to say on this:

- First, it says that if you are not using 'Top Tier' diesel then you should be adding a fuel treatment. Top Tier diesel is not available in very many locations, so you probably are not using it.

- Second, it says to only use AC Delco additive. But we know people will use other stuff and so does GM, so they give some guidance.

  • Lubricity improvers are good
  • No alcohols in the additive
  • No organo-metallic compounds in the additive
  • No water emulsifiers in the additive.

Presumably a water de-emulsifier is good. Such an additive will help ensure the water remains separated from the diesel and can be removed by the water separator unit.

I use Opti-Lube with every fillup which meets all of GM's guidance with the exception that it is not the AC Delco additive.
+1 for Opti Lube.
 
Anyone using Stanadyne Diesel Performance Formula 38566?

This is what VW calls out for my TDIs so I have a bunch of it. I've ran it a few tanks so far without issue this past winter since I've had issues with gelling last year in my Passat. Ill have to look at opti-lube but if I can keep using the Stanadyne I'll be set for a long time haha.
 
I use Stanadyne occasionally when I can find it. I mostly use Diesel Kleen which is available almost everywhere.
 
I use Diesel Kleen or Hot Shot's Secret EDT but not because of water. Additives to deal with water are unnecessary, the fuel filters have built-in water separators and there's a WIF sensor in the filter housing. If you're having problems with water in your diesel then an additive is not going to fix it. You need to be getting your diesel from somewhere else.
 
I use 2 different additives, every fill up - mostly for lubricity. We have 7 or 8 Chevrolet dealerships and 1 GMC dealership within a 40 mile area. I had called around to a few, and stopped by a few while out running errands, none had the GM recommended additive in stock - so I searched on this forum.
The consensus diesel additives have been Opti-Lube, Power Service Diesel Kleen and Stanadyne. I suspect they are all very good, it may come down to what is available in your area. Power Service is readily available where I live, and same with BG Diesel Fuel Conditioner (DFC). The BG DFC is more of a stabilizer, but also adds lubricity.

I use ~ 1 ounce of BG and ~ 6 oz’s of Diesel Kleen. I pour the BG in first, then the DK then I fill up my tank with Diesel to mix it all.

I use both every fill up and have been doing so for almost 2 years. I get what I believe is excellent mpg considering RTT, steel drive shaft and heavy E rated tires (lifetime avg is 22.9 - jacked up during covid, garage pull out & shut offs, as it was better prior), fuel filters life is ~ 38% at 21,500 miles and I’ve only been able to positively discern regen’s 4 times in 2 years.

Keep in mind it is possible to have too much additive - so reference the manufactures’ recommended additive to fuel ratio.

Below is my kit with additives, 1 quart of oil to have as a spare, Fast Orange and paper towels if needed. I load this kit before leaving for any out of town trips.

 
Not really sure if water separation additives are worth much as on it's own doesn't water, which is heavier and not dissolvable in fuel, naturally separate from diesel and go to the bottom anyway? I suppose separation "demulsifier" quality in an additive can't hurt though.

I like Optlube's "Summer" and use it year round. It does not claim water separation, but it has excellent lube, cleaning and cetane improvement qualities. My truck runs really smoothly on it, the cetane bump is noticeable. I fill up at a huge volume but decidedly "basic" diesel (Loaf & Jug) because I know the fuel is fresh and I get up to $1.05 off a gallon with their fuel points. Optilube calls for 1 ounce per 20 gallons minimum and 1 ounce per 10 gallons "premium" treatment rates. Naturally I go with the premium rate.

The OEM fuel filter system is not complex, the fuel goes into the filter box, which has twin top mounted (apparently 5 micron) filters mounted facing down inside, the fuel travels up through the filter, which presumably has a treatment on it's fabric to help to repel water. Any small amount of water that does get in should sit in the bottom of the filter box, where a water in fuel sensor is located. If more than a small amount of water accumulates, the sensor should detect it. If one got a really bad load of fuel with a significant amount of water in it, the OEM system should give a "ding ding ding Warning Will Robinson!" non dismissible hard message in the DIC, you know, the ones in the white box that mean business. :LOL:

I have not had the misfortune of getting a WIF message, so just speculating. Have never observed water when draining the filter box for changes either. Because I was bored during COVID quarantine and am slightly insane, I did a little research and successfully integrated a 2 micron Racor marine filter in line after the OEM box, did a big thread on this board.

A cool thing about the extra filter is it adds another layer of water protection with filter media made for marine use - I suspect Racor's "aquablock" treatment on their filter media is good stuff, plus it has a clear bowl and is rated to 2 microns. To date have not seen anything visible in the bowl, it would seem the OEM filter system does a good job. If I ever do see any water or visible stuff in the Racor's bowl (seriously hope not and doubt I will) I will update the board.

The lift pump/system has not had any trouble as a result of the extra filter - it did not even register on the DIC filter life screen. Racor claims a .3PSI pressure drop on a clean filter, and with the OEM system in front of it, the add on filter should stay clean for a long time. Hopefully the entire exercise, which was done for added peace of mind, is a waste of my time, that would be just fine with me ;)
 
Discussion starter · #13 ·
Interesting reading thus far , lots of reasons to add as recommended . I’ll check into what is available locally .
 
Anyone have any opinions on this one?
A diesel shop owner/mechanic friend of mine recommends this one.


 
Not really sure if water separation additives are worth much as on it's own doesn't water, which is heavier and not dissolvable in fuel, naturally separate from diesel and go to the bottom anyway? I suppose separation "demulsifier" quality in an additive can't hurt though.

I like Optlube's "Summer" and use it year round. It does not claim water separation, but it has excellent lube, cleaning and cetane improvement qualities. My truck runs really smoothly on it, the cetane bump is noticeable. I fill up at a huge volume but decidedly "basic" diesel (Loaf & Jug) because I know the fuel is fresh and I get up to $1.05 off a gallon with their fuel points. Optilube calls for 1 ounce per 20 gallons minimum and 1 ounce per 10 gallons "premium" treatment rates. Naturally I go with the premium rate.

The OEM fuel filter system is not complex, the fuel goes into the filter box, which has twin top mounted (apparently 5 micron) filters mounted facing down inside, the fuel travels up through the filter, which presumably has a treatment on it's fabric to help to repel water. Any small amount of water that does get in should sit in the bottom of the filter box, where a water in fuel sensor is located. If more than a small amount of water accumulates, the sensor should detect it. If one got a really bad load of fuel with a significant amount of water in it, the OEM system should give a "ding ding ding Warning Will Robinson!" non dismissible hard message in the DIC, you know, the ones in the white box that mean business. :LOL:

I have not had the misfortune of getting a WIF message, so just speculating. Have never observed water when draining the filter box for changes either. Because I was bored during COVID quarantine and am slightly insane, I did a little research and successfully integrated a 2 micron Racor marine filter in line after the OEM box, did a big thread on this board.

A cool thing about the extra filter is it adds another layer of water protection with filter media made for marine use - I suspect Racor's "aquablock" treatment on their filter media is good stuff, plus it has a clear bowl and is rated to 2 microns. To date have not seen anything visible in the bowl, it would seem the OEM filter system does a good job. If I ever do see any water or visible stuff in the Racor's bowl (seriously hope not and doubt I will) I will update the board.

The lift pump/system has not had any trouble as a result of the extra filter - it did not even register on the DIC filter life screen. Racor claims a .3PSI pressure drop on a clean filter, and with the OEM system in front of it, the add on filter should stay clean for a long time. Hopefully the entire exercise, which was done for added peace of mind, is a waste of my time, that would be just fine with me ;)
Warning Will Robinson!

LOL you're dating yourself man !
 
I use Diesel Kleen Silver in Summer and White in Winter mostly out of convenient. I would also gladly run Opti-Lube or Stanadyne if they were as readily available in my area.

Super old post (2003), but Diesel Kleen talks about emulsifiers, anti-emulsification, and Diesel Kleen in this post. Not advertising for them, just passing along information that was well presented (for me)


Dear Mr. Larimore,

I have not seen a Technical Bulletin on the TDI and what they recommend, however I cannot imagine it being different than GM, Ford and Cummins. Everyone in our sales force are driving the VW TDI. Each of our salesmen are using the Diesel Kleen in the summer months and the Diesel Fuel Supplement in the winter.

GM just recently issued a Technical Bulletin warning not to use any product with alcohols or emulsifiers. Emulsifiers are chemicals that pull water up into the fuel, or suspends the water in droplet form in the fuel. Alcohols can adversely affect lubricity and the cheaper alcohols can damage pumps and injectors. In the winter months when the temperature drops below freezing, these water droplets can freeze on the filter face of the water separator causing the flow of fuel to stop, even though the fuel is still liquid. It does not take much water to cause Fuel Filter Icing problems. Ford has also come out with a Technical Bulletin not to use any alcohols but I have not seen any reports by Ford on emulsifiers.

Demulsifiers will cause excess water to fall out of the fuel. This water will fall to the bottom of the fuel tank or fuel system and can cause corrosion, rust, reduced lubricity and in the winter months it can strip antigels out of your fuel. Also, there are about a dozen demulsifiers or de-hazers on the market. None of them will work on all fuels. They are fuel specific and when an additive company says they use them in their additives it is for advertisement purposes only. If you talk to any Chemist that knows anything about demulsifiers they will tell you the same thing. If you talk to a salesman they will say it is the best thing since Mothers Milk. When it comes to demulsifiers it is best to listen to the experts.

Our Diesel Kleen is a summer additive and it is intended to give you the very best injector cleaner, cetane, lubricity, fuel stability package and corrosion protection. If you think you have a water or water related problem then you need to use our Diesel 911 to take care of the water. Diesel 911 is completely compatible with Diesel Kleen and they can both be used together in the fuel. If you live in areas where the temperatures can be severe in the winter months then you need to use our Diesel Fuel Supplement in the winter months and the Diesel Kleen in the summer months. Also, just before winter sets in I would use the Diesel 911 to help take out the water/condensation in your fuel system. One-third of all fuel flow problems in winter are caused by water. Diesel 911 is the perfect product to take care of this problem. It will solubilize the water back into the fuel so the water will act as a component of the fuel. The water will be in solution and not in droplet form in your fuel. It will not cause any fuel filter icing problems, it will not hurt or harm your pump or injectors and it is the only practical way to rid the system of water. The best way to rid the system of water is to pump it off the bottom, however most fuel systems are not made to easily access the system and pump off the water. Again, use the Diesel 911 when you think you have a water problem and it does not have to be used with every fill-up.

When we manufacture our products we take the requirements of the Original Engine Manufactures and the ASTM D975 (the standard to which diesel fuel is manufactured) and the National Council of Weights and Measures (NCWM) into consideration. We want to be sure that our products meet their needs, which is in your interest.

Be assured that if it runs on diesel fuel it will run better on Power Service Products. If you have any other questions or concerns please give me a call at (800)643 9089 or email me at bwilson@powerservice.com.
 
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It's actually "danger" and there is a reboot of Lost in Space on Netflix. :) Sheesh!
Ah yes, I have seen the Netflix reboot - very cool. Waiting patiently for season 3, it is expected late this year :cool:
 
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Opti-Lube every time I get fuel, has been since I got the truck last year. I have no idea if it's doing anything, but it's got good reviews online for actually doing what it claims to do. I'm happy with the performance so far, and the piece of mind knowing there have been engine failures related to stuck injectors. I run XPD in the summer and Winter formula in the winter. Gas mileage did drop a bit in the winter, but I can't really chalk that up to any one thing. Switching to Opti-Lube Winter, gas station switching to winter formula, switching to snow tires, or the engine running cooler and taking longer to warm up; any of these could have caused the difference.
 
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