Should I Use A Diesel Fuel Additive In My 06 Duramax or Not??

[Dave1]

I have a 2006 GMC 2500HD 4WD Duramax pick up. Has about 20K miles on it now. I have heard the new low sulphur diesel fuel supposedly does not have sufficient lubricants to keep the pre-2007 diesel engine fuel pumps adequately lubricated which could cause excessive wear and/or premature failure. I have also heard varying opinions of whether to use a diesel fuel additive (that contains a fuel pump lubricant) or not.

Should I use an additive or not? If yes, what is a good, readily available, easy to use, diesel fuel additive? Does it have to be or should be added at every fuel up?

I am guessing that having to get out the can/bottle, measure, pour in an additive, then clean up, everytime I buy fuel will be a real PITA!

Thanks for any information.

Dave1
Winter Springs, Fla.

 

[MaxPF]

AFAIK the Bosch CP3 pump used on your 06 is designed for ULSD. Still, a good diesel additive can help with mileage and prolong the life of the pump and injectors (so they say). Lots of folks like the Power Service and Stanadyne additives. You might want to PM 4by4bygod and ask him about his additives as well.

I think when one says "older diesels" in regards to ULSD they are talking about pre-common rail systems, particularly older distributor pumps like the Stanadyne DB2, DB4, and DS4, the Bosch VE and VP44 pumps, etc. The Bosch P7100 is lubed with engine oil, but AFAIK the plungers themselves are still lubed with diesel, so they would probably benefit from an additive as well. Same goes for the HEUI injectors in the Powerstrokes and Cats. Like I said, the pumps on common rail motors were designed at a time when ULSD was coming around the bend. Still, more lubricity can never hurt IMO. With the cost of one of those pumps I would want it to last as long as possible

 

[4by4bygod]

Thanks for the mention, MAXPF

Dave1:

one thing to consider - lubricity isn't important for just the fuel pump.. you have to be concerned about the upper cylinder area and injector tips too.

also - just to clarify..2007 engines don't handle low lubricity fuels any better than the older engines...when an engine manufacturer says it's engines are "designed to run ULSD fuel", what they mean is that the engines come equipped with exhaust aftertreatment devices that require it's use.. all of the metal fuel system parts are still subject to wear..more so with todays higher fuel pressures.

anyway, that's my admittedly biased response.. if you care to, click on my vendor thread..I just put up an article about today's new school diesel fuel, and there's lots of other info there than can help you decide if we're worth a PM inquiry.