T&T: Diesel additives - Excessive oil useage -

[BillEGates@aol.com]

Let me tell you of a little know horror show that our diesel additive gave to 
us on our 46' boat. 

We originally bought six gallons of diesel additive, this we thought, would 
be good for thousands of miles of cruising. The additive we chose increased the 
cetane rating of the diesel, prevented growth in the diesel tank, cleaned the 
injectors, improves the lubricity and reduces friction, and stabilizes the 
fuel. I used it from hour 30 to hour 9XX. At first it was fine, and after the 
fourth year, strange thing happened to our engines. Oil usage went up on one 
engine to a noticeable, and unacceptable number, then during the same trip the 
excessive oil usage went to both engines. I tried to determine when it occurred 
more, at high RPM or low RPM. Or under what special set of conditions. I 
pulled apart different components looking for leaks, the turbo, intercooler, 
airsep, exhaust, crankcase vent and recovery lines, or signs of oil, and found none. 
Then the strangest thing happened. The opposite engine started using 
excessive oil, and the original engine stopped using oil. After calling everyone I 
could think of, I found that the culprit was the diesel additive that I was 
using. After many phone calls and E-mail's, I found that the additive had a shelf 
life of one year, but the company said it "should be good for up to two," I was 
now using it in year six, at least. Nowhere on the jug is it labeled as to a 
"born on date" nor does it say in any of the product literature that there is 
a shelf life. The additive in my case used mineral oil as its main ingredient, 
with additional additives suspended in it. Of course I stopped using the 
diesel additive, and within 2 tankful's, 1000 gallons, there was no excessive oil 
usage in either engine. Needless to say I will never use an additive, other 
than a biocide for fuel storage again. By the way, this product is no longer 
being sold. Name of the produce is withheld by agreement with the manufacturer. 

Captain James Clausen
MV Summer School

"At sea a fellow comes out.
Salt water is like wine, in that respect."
- Herman Melville



Greetings all. I am about to embark on the "maiden voyage" (for us anyway)
of Huckleberry 1992 KK42. We will be on the ICW from Houston to Port
Everglades. I am about to fill the fuel tanks for the first time in a couple
of years. The diesel mechanic said that when he changed the filters they
were very clean and saw no evidence of sludge or debris in the tanks. We had
a discussion about cleaning and polishing; but, decided to wait and see if
it were necessary later. I will keep a close watch on the primary filters on
this trip. My question is: What type of fuel additive is recommended for
general performance without a biocide? I have read the specs on Power
Service Diesel Kleen +Cetane Boost with SlickDiesel. It seems to be
appropriate for my application. I shoul say that I have a Perkins 135 with
3000 hrs and recently replaced the injector pump and tested and cleaned the
injectors. The engine seems to run fine with only the expected white smoke
at start-up until warm.

John Brees



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