Any consensus on fuel & oil additives?

[DOE-SST]

I've been reading a lot of posts here, and was wondering if the majority of members feel some additives are truly worthwhile, or does each one have it's supporters and detractors.

I recently bought a small fleet of U.S. Govt, covert urban assault vehicles, based on the Ford E350, with 7.3 IDI and E4OD.

They have been sitting for about a year. The fuel has started to go bad, but they still run. They had the absolute best possible maintenance their entire lives, because they carried heavily armed fire teams, escorting nuclear weapons road convoys.

I'll be doing complete filter changes, but would like your suggestions on a fuel system cleaner, an oil flush, and any other additives that might help.

They all have around 250k miles, but only made about 150 long-distance trips, highway miles only, in the southwest US. Virtually rust free. Never towed anything. Had R-134a upgrades, all factory Service Bulletins complied with, K&N air filters, SCA testing, etc., just top-notch maint on everything.

I'd like to get another 100k miles out of them with just routine maintenance.

Yes, they did some James Bond type mods to them, added a lot of Comm equipment, M-16 and ammo racks, etc.

No, none are for sale at this time, perhaps later. Sorry, no pics.

Thanks for your response.

 

[Goofyexponent]

Well, after a post like that, we are going to HAVE to see pics of one of these rigs!!

As for fuel, I run Howes diesel treat. It's not very expensive but us truckers swear by it! There are other brands out there and I am sure others will post what they use.

Oil additives are ENDLESS. Most agree that a treatment or two of AutoRx will clean the SNOT out of an engine safely. Un stick rings, clean valve seats and seals, de-sledge and overall just flush the engine.

I run Zmax, but you need to run it after every 2nd oil change....no stopping!

250K miles isn't anywheres NEAR the limit that these engines will go. I got about 240K on my truck and it runs like a top!

What year are the trucks? Are they the N/A (non turbo) or Turbo version of the IDI?

 

[DOE-SST]

They are 1993 and 1994 non turbo.

From 50 ft away, they look like ordinary E350s, with a few minor changes. Anyone with formal law enforcement training could probably spot a few more anomalies fairly quickly.

this site gives a photo,

http://www.brookings.edu/projects/archive/nucweapons/truck.aspx

this site gives a little more info,

http://www.doeal.gov/laso/Documents/EPIOTSfactsheet.pdf

OPSEC was tight with these operations, not much on the net. I ran nuclear weapons convoys in the USAF and knew the purpose of these vehicles when they showed up for auction. I was really surprised some other govt agency didn't grab them for their own use, before hitting the auction.

 

[Goofyexponent]

One of those converted would make a kick ass camping/hunting/fishing rig!!

Hell, might even make a nice garage on wheels!

 

[Goofyexponent]

I forgot to mention....a little ATF (automatic transmission fluid) in the fuel will help clean'r out. ATF has a lot of detergents in it and is awsome for the pump and injectors!

 

[jim_22]

I forgot to mention....a little ATF (automatic transmission fluid) in the fuel will help clean'r out. ATF has a lot of detergents in it and is awsome for the pump and injectors!

Do you really think so, the old stuff for sure, but the new stuff is full of junk these days, no? I would rather fill up my filter with Marvel Oil + Power Service. Also even better is a product called Diesel Purge. You mainline it from a coke bottle and watch the crap return into the bottle.

 

[Agnem]

Wow that's pretty awsome! I know I remember thinking back on 9-11 that we lost a lot of good IDI's that day. Ambulances and fire apparatus and what not. So the IDI has always performed a vital role. But I didn't know about this one. Very cool! I bet they WERE well maintained. They'd have to be.

As for fuel additives... X2 on the Howes. That's what I've always used. However, your going to get 5000 responses with everyone telling you their favorite. I would direct your attention to this tech article and draw your own conclusions. Regretibly, not ALL of the popular additives were tested.

I should point out that the Howes "Diesel Treat" which I use is not the same stuff tested in the article.