99.004: Diesel Fuel Additives: Compatibility
Introduction:
Certain vendors’ field demonstrations include the mixing of neat (straight) additives with competitors’ neat additives and/or inappropriate amounts of fuel and water. Confused by the demonstrations, some customers have expressed a concern that some brands of diesel additives may be incompatible, and that interaction between them may damage engines or fuel systems.
Service Recommendation:
Most diesel fuel additive demonstrations performed in the field by itinerant salesmen are, at best, invalid. At worst they are intentionally deceptive and fraudulent. The chemistries of various fuel additives do vary from brand to brand, depending on the intended application and price towards which the product is designed.
In general, this is certainly an area of products where you get exactly what you pay for. Nevertheless, it is Penray’s experience with the major suppliers’ products that they are compatible with one another, when used as directed in diesel fuel. Customers should not be concerned that the use of multiple brands of additives will damage their engines due to incompatibility. Of course, use of a harmful chemistry, i.e. methanol, will be problematic regardless of other products used.
Penray recommends the use of additive products that have been tested and proven to provide the advertised benefits. Penray diesel additives have been documented to be effective and beneficial, when used as directed.
Cummins NOAT Concerns Text of the Cummins’ Letter to its Customers
July 16, 1999
To whom it may concern:
This communication is being sent to inform Customers of Cummins Engine Company’s position on products not sold or developed by Cummins, specifically the Texaco Extended Life Coolant and its derivatives.
First, based upon available data, Texaco ELC similar formulations supplied by Equilonshould not be used in Cummins Engines. These organic acid coolants cause degradation of the silicone seals in our engines after 80,000 to 100,000 miles.
Second, just to be very clear, Cummins does not approve suppliers’ products. We require that the products meet accepted industry specifications to enable our customers to use their choice of these types of products. The use of products manufactured by others than Cummins is at the discretion of the customer and any problems of that product is not the responsibility of Cummins Engine Company. This is a common practice used by all major manufacturers.
The resolution of this problem will ultimately come from Texaco who holds the responsibility for the coolant formulations that cause the problem. Because of our concern for our customers, there is a combined effort by Cummins, our gasket supplier, and the installing OEM to assist Texaco in discovering a reasonable solution. At this point there are many tests und not be available until July 30 when the aging tests have reached their first milestone. These tests will ascertain the effectiveness of certain coolant chemistry changes to slow the degradation effects of the coolant on the silicone seals.
It must be understood, however, that this will not be a permanent fix as some degradation has already occurred to the seals. It needs to be understood that any costs incurred due to draining and refilling will not be the responsibility Of Cummins Engine Company. It is suggested that each customer track drain and fill” expenses for submission to the responsible party at a later date.
The TELC issue will not affect the Cummins Warranty, but failures attributable to the use of these coolants are not the responsibility of Cummins Engine Company. It is the responsibility of the manufacturer of such products to ensure compatibility of their products with engines and cooling Systems in the marketplace. . The information provided will be updated as necessary.
Texaco® Fix for NOAT in Cummins® Engines
August 6, 1999
North American Customer Bulletin
This communication is being sent to update mutual customers of Cummins Engine Company and Equilon Lubricants on the issue of gasket coolant leakage in Cummins engines, when factory filled with Texaco Extended Life Coolant (TELC).
Cummins Engine Company, Texaco and Equilon Lubricants are working together to find a solution. The teams have already ascertained that the addition of silicates to cooling Systems has shown improved performance between TELC and silicone seals in Cummins engines, and support the following customer options:
- Add concentrated silicates to Cummins cooling systems that contain TELC. OR
- Install coolant filter that contains silicates.
Option 1:Concentrated silicates will be available free of charge from Equilon Lubricants in early September 1999. Special order instructions will be forthcoming, along with installation procedures, to insure that the concentration of silicates in the cooling system is appropriate for gasket performance improvement.
Option 2:Information on this option will be available by September 1999. At this time we do not have a specific filter that can be recommended, however Equilon is working with multiple filter manufacturers.
Caution:Over-treatment of silicates in the cooling system can be damaging to other components Texaco Equilon Lubricants does not recommend the addition of silicates to engines produced by other manufacturers Cummins Engine Company, Texaco and Equilon Lubricants have formed a common task force that are working together on short-term and long-term solutions to these issues.
Texaco and Equilon Lubricants support Cummins Engine Company’s current position to factory fill Cummins engines with conventional coolants technology in North America.