Anyone else tried a fuel additive on newer diesel engine ?

[bovril]

I have an early DrivE 1.6 and had been suffering from the lower power at cold problems, it was cured for a while after the fuel filter was changed at service but returned a few weeks later. I have had to drive ever so carefully accelerating really slowly to stop the engine from cutting out.

I decided to do some research with my best friend google and found some interesting stuff on the UK MkIV forum http://uk-mkivs.net/forums/t/489818.aspx?PageIndex=1

I have used this Diesel Rhino additive for the last 2 months and within a week my car was revving like new, even from cold !

I had seen the stuff about stripping the EGR down but felt this was beyond my capability, was so glad i tried Diesel Rhino, they claim increased MPG but i have seen my MPG go down, but this due to being able to rev the engine normally again :-).

I'd be interested to know if any other forum members have tried this or other additives, i tried this one because the makers say it was designed for modern diesels where my perception of redex was that it was for older diesels ?

[GJB]

Have used millers diesel additive on XC90 MY2010 200HP not been cold enough yet here in Norfolk used in MY2004 XC90 165HP and I consider it was definitely more responsive and I thought it gave about 5% better economy but never did a real comparison.

[steadvex]

Originally Posted by GJB

Have used millers diesel additive on XC90 MY2010 200HP not been cold enough yet here in Norfolk used in MY2004 XC90 165HP and I consider it was definitely more responsive and I thought it gave about 5% better economy but never did a real comparison.

I vouch for the millers, really helps clean it out!

personally i've always found with diesels, using tesco or esso fuel really affects the performance, especially in the cold. I'd happily drive 50 miles out of my way to avoid filling up either either of those 2 fuels stations.

Always used to use whatever garage was near me at the time, which was generally tesco/murco/texico/esso, esso always being the cheapest (here anyway), since i've stopped using esso/tesco I never have any wierd issues when its very cold, various friends have confirmed this with me, if the car feels funny put some bp ultimate in, after 2 tanks no more issues in the cold.

For me red ex doesn't do anything, although others I know swear by it.

[HughG]

Another Miller Eco Diesel Power Max user and fan here, improves economy to some degree, not sure whether it entirely offsets the cost but for me it's worth it. I've never had cold start issues that I can remember (but am from the softy south!), but it definitely makes it run smoother, more noticeable when you stop using it than when you first start! I've used it on a VAG 1.9TDi, Alfa 1.9JTDm, 2002 D5 and have just got a 1.6d S40.

It's worth hanging onto one of those Castrol pouches for spare oil to put it in as the bottle get's pretty manky and I'm not convinced the twist bottle neck wouldn't leak if it ended up on it's side in the boot.

[Ninja59]

Just be a little aware guys:

I cannot find proof of it in regards to new car warranties, but extended warranties

7. Mechanical failure or damage:

a. Caused by frost, corrosion, flooding, impact, fire, accidental damage, vandalism, abuse or neglect.
b. Where the defect is likely to have existed prior to the commencement of this policy.
c. Resulting from a lack of anti-freeze, lubricants, hydraulic fluid or faulty repair or servicing.
d. Caused by an ingress of foreign matter or the use of a grade of fuel, lubricants, additives or any fluids not approved for your vehicle by the manufacturer.

[steadvex]

Originally Posted by Ninja59

Just be a little aware guys:

I cannot find proof of it in regards to new car warranties, but extended warranties

7. Mechanical failure or damage:

a. Caused by frost, corrosion, flooding, impact, fire, accidental damage, vandalism, abuse or neglect.
b. Where the defect is likely to have existed prior to the commencement of this policy.
c. Resulting from a lack of anti-freeze, lubricants, hydraulic fluid or faulty repair or servicing.
d. Caused by an ingress of foreign matter or the use of a grade of fuel, lubricants, additives or any fluids not approved for your vehicle by the manufacturer.

pretty sure driving a car invalidates extended warranties!

[Ninja59]

Originally Posted by steadvex

pretty sure driving a car invalidates extended warranties!

You clearly have not read the exclusions of the volvo one then...much shorter than nearly every other I have seen pretty much the same as the manufacturers one.

[BillB]

I was talking to a Bosch injection specialist a while back and he didn't recommend using ANY additives in modern diesels as the injectors have such fine tolerances that anything other than clean diesel may cause problems / premature wear etc. A common rail Volvo diesel is more "fussy" than the Audi Tdi engine which has simpler mechanical injectors. AIUI the only proper way to clean injectors is to remove them and have it done by a specialist i.e. there's no quick fix. Regards.

[Flanaia1]

Also be aware that the fuel filters dealers are fitting for the 1.6d can be the wrong spec. Mine went back 5 times for the same fault as yours it wasnt until it was hooked up to dynamic diagnostics thst we saw the fuel flow was no where near it should be. Changed the filter to one I supplied from GSF. Problem cured then dealer discovered filters were of wrong spec so suspect this could be the same at other dealers.

I also use millers diesel additive i swear by it

[Drak3n]

Here in eastern europe ,common rail fuel injectors in diesel engines have poor lifetime without using additives(or expensive premium diesel fuel ,which also contains lots of additives) ,because quality of standart diesel fuel is poor. with them, there are no problems even with modern cars,and injectors can last 300k+ km. im using vif super diesel,some other people delphi and so far ,there are no problems(only sometimes ,because of cleaning characteristic of additives and regular use of biofuels,which causes dissolving of deposit in fuel system) but additives for engine oils or for dpf are another story.