Fuel additive for efficiency not the bug

[Hurricane]

Apologies if this has been discussed before.
In the past, I’ve always thought this subject as “black art” and I’ve generally kept away from fuel additives but I recently bumped into a couple of guys who are successfully using a product called “Clear mXt” from these people.

http://www.tkfuels.com/

One of the guys I bumped into runs a road transport company and now has a year’s worth of data proving savings of between 8 and 12 per cent. 8 per cent on the short hauls and at least 12 percent on the longer runs. He said that he is also now using the product on his boat with success.

He even gave me a sample – a small 25 ml bottle which seems to be enough to treat 400 litres of fuel.

Having seen this and the website which explains the product, I’m very keen to see if I could get an 8 per cent saving on my fuel bill – the data even implies that I could get even more of a saving.
It’s not only the saving that interests me – if it works, it should increase the boat’s range as well.

I’ve checked the fuel additives section in the MTU data sheet which is extremely comprehensive but there isn’t a reference to performance enhancing additives. However, I will contact MTU and see what they have to say about the produce – should be interesting.

What do you all think?

As I say – apologies if this has been discussed before.

 

[gjgm]

I think you should have asked for a litre.

 

[sarabande]

a dilution rate of 1:16000, or 1 gram in 16 kilos. That's the mass of a paperclip in 8 large bottles of fizzy drink. For every 16 litres you buy now, you should get 1.25 litres extra FREE. Quids in !

If it works it must be very very clever stuff. Their website seems pretty sure and has some firm, well-documented references.

 

[Andrew_Fanner]

How much does it cost compared to the cost of the extra fuel. If its that good, why isn't it in the fuel already and similar questions.

 

[longjohnsilver]

I don't understand why you need to be granted access before being allowed to enter their online shop. Imagine turning up at M&S on the high street only to be denied access and asked for various personal details and then told to return the next day to go shopping. Bizarre.

I feel a snake oil alert may be necessary..........

 

[DougH]

If it worked I can assure you that every Haulage Contractor in Europe would use it.

My Company runs 10 lorries, MAN, Volvo, Iveco and Mercedes and manufacturers state that additives to the fuel and oils are not necessary and will invaidate any warranty.

If it works I am prepared to make an offer for the total shares of the Company and its patents and I can assure you that raising the capital would be very easy.

Just think of the returns on World Wide sales if it was to work!

If it sounds to good to be true ?

 

[Questor]

I've been using Millers Diesel Plus Sport 4 in the cars for years and last year decided to dose the boat. Initially with a double dose as recommended. Normal dose is 500 mls treats 500 litres. It does all sorts of stuff including raising the cetane level by four points, so putting red shiit on par with white.

Smoke on startup is greatly reduced, and so, surprisingly is engine noise. The "top end clatter" has completely gone.

No idea if it increases mpg, but it can only help, and also must be kinder to the Eber.

Seems there's a new version that increases cetane rating by five points

http://www.millersoils.net/M3_cgi/m...d=204&exact_match=on&type=automotive&cart_id=

 

[rafiki_]

Apologies if this has been discussed before.
In the past, I’ve always thought this subject as “black art” and I’ve generally kept away from fuel additives but I recently bumped into a couple of guys who are successfully using a product called “Clear mXt” from these people.

http://www.tkfuels.com/

One of the guys I bumped into runs a road transport company and now has a year’s worth of data proving savings of between 8 and 12 per cent. 8 per cent on the short hauls and at least 12 percent on the longer runs. He said that he is also now using the product on his boat with success.

He even gave me a sample – a small 25 ml bottle which seems to be enough to treat 400 litres of fuel.

Having seen this and the website which explains the product, I’m very keen to see if I could get an 8 per cent saving on my fuel bill – the data even implies that I could get even more of a saving.
It’s not only the saving that interests me – if it works, it should increase the boat’s range as well.

I’ve checked the fuel additives section in the MTU data sheet which is extremely comprehensive but there isn’t a reference to performance enhancing additives. However, I will contact MTU and see what they have to say about the produce – should be interesting.

What do you all think?

As I say – apologies if this has been discussed before.

I will be very interested in your experience. Please keep us posted.

 

[Hurricane]

I think you should have asked for a litre.

I've got the sample on the desk infront of me - its the colour of urine after about one and a half pints.

It's in a little bottle - we brought it back amoungst SWMBOs perfumes!!!

Joking asside though, I think there coule be some merrit in this - unlike ulreasonic antifouling, there ARE people out there that are experiencing results.

 

[Hurricane]

If it worked I can assure you that every Haulage Contractor in Europe would use it.

My Company runs 10 lorries, MAN, Volvo, Iveco and Mercedes and manufacturers state that additives to the fuel and oils are not necessary and will invaidate any warranty.

If it works I am prepared to make an offer for the total shares of the Company and its patents and I can assure you that raising the capital would be very easy.

Just think of the returns on World Wide sales if it was to work!

If it sounds to good to be true ?

It seems that haulage companies (like yours) are already using it - maybe you should look further.

 

[Hurricane]

How much does it cost compared to the cost of the extra fuel.

I think the savings are AFTER the cost of the additive.

If its that good, why isn't it in the fuel already and similar questions.

I thought that - but think about it - if YOU were a fuel distributor would YOU make YOUR fuel more effecient and end up selling less?

 

[mikesyam]

Used milners for years on the boat and its good but now use this, same effect but buying direct in the 20 litre drum saves loads and makes it cheap as chips.

http://www.chemiphase.co.uk/products/Bioboost-1000%2d-Biodiesel-Cetane-Improver.html

 

[Hurricane]

Just had a thought.

Maybe I should try out the sampla I have.
SWMBO and I are doing a run this wekend between Devon and Berkshire.
We could use our diesel Landcruiser.
Maybe I should top the tanks out before we leave - note the mileage.
Then top them in Berkshire and add the additive - and note the mileage
And then top them again back in Devon - again note the mileage.
It will be all M4 and M5 roads and we could set the cruise control so that the speed is the same each way.

Do you think this small test would show anything if there is anything to show?

 

[jfm]

Interesting stuff and great if it works

I found the testimony on their website from one of their customers utterly unconvincing though. The customer said "[Before using this product my] Cruising speed [was] 14-15knts @ 2400rpm. [After using the product] Inoticed a different sound in the motors and the boat felt a little more punchier in the waves. Getting up to cruise speed @ 2400 rpm she sat on 16.2knts (+ 1.2knts ) which really surprised me"

It's plain absurd to say a fuel additive causes a boat to change speed, at the same rpm with the same props

 

[Hurricane]

Interesting stuff and great if it works

I found the testimony on their website from one of their customers utterly unconvincing though. The customer said "[Before using this product my] Cruising speed [was] 14-15knts @ 2400rpm. [After using the product] Inoticed a different sound in the motors and the boat felt a little more punchier in the waves. Getting up to cruise speed @ 2400 rpm she sat on 16.2knts (+ 1.2knts ) which really surprised me"

It's plain absurd to say a fuel additive causes a boat to change speed, at the same rpm with the same props

Agreed

I think its worth a little test in the Landcruiser over 200ish miles though.
I did think that the fuel itself could conflict the test - especially with such a small test.
So I think I can do the test between two BP stations - probably wouldnt be the same fuel anyway but might make any results more convincing.

 

[jfm]

Agreed

I think its worth a little test in the Landcruiser over 200ish miles though.
I did think that the fuel itself could conflict the test - especially with such a small test.
So I think I can do the test between two BP stations - probably wouldnt be the same fuel anyway but might make any results more convincing.

Do you have a computer on the Landcruiser? If you do, then I suggest the following test, to be done when you have approx half full tank of fuel. Just take the car to 50mph on the cruise control, then reset the mpg counter on the computer. Run at 50mph and hold it at that speed on the cruise control for say 5 miles of flattish road. Then stop and put the snakeoil in the fuel tank, thrash around corners to mix it in, then run the same 5 miles at 50mph indicated and see the mpg difference. If it's anywhere near 8pc it will show up in this test.

This is exactly one of the tests I did on Soltron in a Merc 270ML (with cruise control and a computer) a few years ago and wrote up on here. There was nil mpg difference of course.

 

[rubberduck]

We will give it a try in a few vehicles & report back.

 

[Hurricane]

Do you have a computer on the Landcruiser? If you do, then I suggest the following test, to be done when you have approx half full tank of fuel. Just take the car to 50mph on the cruise control, then reset the mpg counter on the computer. Run at 50mph and hold it at that speed on the cruise control for say 5 miles of flattish road. Then stop and put the snakeoil in the fuel tank, thrash around corners to mix it in, then run the same 5 miles at 50mph indicated and see the mpg difference. If it's anywhere near 8pc it will show up in this test.

This is exactly one of the tests I did on Soltron in a Merc 270ML (with cruise control and a computer) a few years ago and wrote up on here. There was nil mpg difference of course.

I'm afraid our Landcruiser doesnt have a fuel computer fitted so I'll have to do the test by "topping off" the tanks. I think if I add the additive before filling the tank, it should mix the fuel before use.

But, as I say, probably not a long enough test to be conclusive.

Reading one of the testimonials (Downtown), it seems to imply that the bulk cost of the additave could be around £200 per 8000 litres of fuel.

 

[sarabande]

If it works, Hurricane, IOU a large beer.

Let's see over 8000 litres of diesel, that's £9600 roughly.

If it saves even 5%, you should be £280 better off, after paying for the additive.


Now I use about 60 litres a year on the boat....., but thousands on the farm.

 

[DougH]

It seems that haulage companies (like yours) are already using it - maybe you should look further.

If this was the golden product they claim in would be in all the Commercial Motor magazines.

Over the years there have been many similar claims but none have proved successful.

When Stobarts use it then so will I.