Diesel Fuel Additive for 2002 1.9TDI

[Joey P]

Hi
Question re Diesel Fuel additives

As far as I understand! older diesels such as my 2002 TDI could benefit from a fuel additive such as dipetane.

Is this your view, and if so what is the product you use.
Is there a  better product to use perhaps!

I heard a while back from someone in the motor oil industry, to definitely use one on a 2002 Diesel, and to use one with a ep additive as they are superior!
The problem is I have forgotten what he meant by ep,  what it means in this instance. I think the p was for pressure!

I think he also implied that dipetane was acidic!!

[bigdave982]

Millers everytime
Use it at double dose and get neat the performance of super dervs
(Thats only my opinion and completely untested scientifcaly):-)

[Mirez]

The answer depends largely on the reason you think you want to add and additive? Are you trying to fix a problem with it? Increase the MPG? Increase the engine life? EP Stands for Extreme/Extra Pressure - generally describing a common rail fuel system in this context (the Mk1/2 Galaxy isn't common rail)

As dave, I have a personal opinion on it but nothing more then that. I also use millers, also a double dose but much less frequently - maybe twice a year tops just for a placebo really

[Joey P]

Appreciate the feedback and info.

My reasons for thinking of using fuel additive!
Hopefully to optimize MPG and to extend life of engine and relevant parts.

[Chrispb]

Personally I wouldn't worry about adding additives, as long as you keep up with the oil and filter changes using the recommended parts you won't go far wrong.

[Joey P]

OK, I see you have a 115bhp
I plan to do the basic oil & filter change myself.
How often do you personally do a oil & filter change & What engine oil do you use?

[Chrispb]

Recommended interval for oil changes is 10.000mls which is what it used to have when I first had the car, but since I passed it on to my daughter it does less mileage and shorter journeys so have reduced it to 6.000

I don't buy the big name brand oils just the carlube one that my local shop sells but it must be the VW spec 505.01 Fully Synthetic 5W-40

The cars on 130.000mls now with no problems.

[Mirez]

Based on that then I would use a cleaner a couple of times to 'tidy' the injection system up, manually clean the egr and manifold (assuming you have 60k+ miles on it) and then settle in to 6k oil changes. On a run you should achieve 45 to 50 mpg if everythings working well.

I have always done 6k changes on mine, oil is the main factor for extending engine and turbo life (excluding driving style!). Gearbox oil shouldn't be overlooked either, its claimed to be filled for life but changing it yeilded at least 3mpg more and nice smoot changes when cold. Something else to consider if its not been done before.

[SPIKEY]

After not having the mpg statistics etc on the dash in my old galaxy and now having them in my new one I can't help but feel maybe my fuel consumption isn't as good as it could be. I am returning about 35 mpg and granted the car is used mainly by the wife of the short school run and shopping trip etc Does this seem reasonable or low
We ha e had the car about 2 months and its been fine nut now wondering if a shot or so of an additive would be of benefit.
Also millers seems to be the most regarded one, what one do you use?

[gregers]

obviously there are many factors with mpg.
how heavy the right foot is etc.
has your booster heater kicked in yet?coz when it does the mpg will go down.
running air con etc.
on my old mk2 tdi i used to average around town high 30's to low 40's.and on a run driving like miss daisy i even hit 60 mpg.but even the snails were overtaking me.

[Mirez]

Just to clarify, the mpg per tank will drop when the aux heater kicks if manually calculated but the dash calculated display isnt effected.

Short trips in cold weather with a diesel will never be good, they need to warm up before any kind of decent mpg will be returned (thats oil temp not coolant temp btw)

[SPIKEY]

Unfortunately the booster heater isn't working. kicked in the other morning and smoked out the road, wife wasn't impressed so have unplugged it for an easy life. I know I need a new run on pump so when funds allow I will replace that and drop the heater at the same time. I have seen the posts on changing the brushes myself but I'm useless at stuff like that and will only fubar it.
Once its done though I'm quite keen on the switch option to the sensor and controlling its firing up what ever the weather. Any how back to the additive, do you have a link to this millers one or is it the same one halfords are doing??

[plumbc007]

like said above Millers every time, but don't put it in every time only now and again say every 3 fill ups.  Forget red ex unless u want burnt out injectors

[Mirez]

Same one halfords do but grab it from here instead as its a lot cheaper

http://www.emotorspares.co.uk/millers-oils-diesel-power-ecomax--fuel-treatment-500ml-10241-p.asp