I've driven across country several times with this truck and the one thing that has been consistent is that my mileage increases allot once I leave California and get fuel in another state.I thought #2 diesel was the same everywhere, am I wrong? The reason I am asking now is that my one time 19 mph is now 12 to 13 mph. Should I add one of those additives to the tank of fuel or get a superchip upgrade? I'm going cross country one more time.
Posted 2007-06-01 11:30 PM (#61646 - in reply to #61641) Subject: RE: F-250 diesel
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 544
Location: Claxton, Ga.
Yes, it very much can be where you are getting diesel. It seems if you get real fresh diesel from a high volume outlet you get the best mileage. It's not always the cheapest station that matters. Since the new ULSD has been out I have lost 1 mpg. I changed stations to a high traffic truck stop that gets 1 to 2 tankers a day for diesel and my mileage came back up. Dropping that kind of mileage you could have an issue mechanically. Dirty air filter, fuel filter, bad injector and so on.
Posted 2007-06-04 6:53 AM (#61746 - in reply to #61641) Subject: RE: F-250 diesel
Expert
Posts: 2689
Originally written by AC1 on 2007-06-01 10:18 PM
I've driven across country several times with this truck and the one thing that has been consistent is that my mileage increases allot once I leave California and get fuel in another state.I thought #2 diesel was the same everywhere, am I wrong? The reason I am asking now is that my one time 19 mph is now 12 to 13 mph. Should I add one of those additives to the tank of fuel or get a superchip upgrade? I'm going cross country one more time.
My impression was that fuel is SO expensive in California and the 55 limit for trailers slowed me down enough to actually SAVE fuel (-:
The symptoms you describe probably indicate a maintenance issue (air filter ?) or some sort of failure (e.g. one or two injectors).
I'd "go through it", checking for everything from minor tune up items to dragging brakes (frozen caliper ?).
Posted 2007-06-06 12:38 AM (#61859 - in reply to #61641) Subject: RE: F-250 diesel
Location: Brighton, Colorado
Interesting thing about the powerstroke, if any of the sensors on the engine go hay wire, it will "default" the fuel delivery system. This may be your problem and the only way to know is if you see if your truck is throwing any codes that would indicate this. Another place you may investgate is www.powerstroke.org
There are a lot of people that could help you out and possibly self diagose the problem.
Posted 2007-06-06 8:36 AM (#61865 - in reply to #61641) Subject: RE: F-250 diesel
Member
Posts: 38
Location: Elgin, Texas
There was a post on BarrelHorseWorld a while back about the new ultra low sulfer diesel. It is a dryer fuel and therefore everyone who owns a 2006 or older should always put an additive each fill up. I have noticed that my mileage has gone back to normal on my 99 F250 since doing this.
Posted 2007-06-06 3:40 PM (#61896 - in reply to #61865) Subject: RE: F-250 diesel
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Posts: 2689
Originally written by kmh on 2007-06-06 8:36 AM
There was a post on BarrelHorseWorld a while back about the new ultra low sulfer diesel. It is a dryer fuel and therefore everyone who owns a 2006 or older should always put an additive each fill up. I have noticed that my mileage has gone back to normal on my 99 F250 since doing this.
This does NOT apply to my '03 Duramax.
Fords might be different in some way, although it is difficult to imagine where such a difference would affect fuel mileage adversely and that the adverse effect would be reversed by the use of an additive.
"Dryer" ?
As in different surface tension, less absorbed water, or what ?
Posted 2007-06-15 11:13 AM (#62332 - in reply to #61641) Subject: RE: F-250 diesel
Member
Posts: 6
Location: Coarsegold, Californa
Here's the scoop on my truck. You all were right. I had the engine and the transmission flushed. All the filters changed. Put in an additive that was to last 10 K miles. From California to North Carolina I averaged 19.6 miles per gallon, Hooked up in North Carolina with the new horse trailer and got 11.4 miles per gallon half way back to California, added some more additive and the milage went up slightly. I was running between 68 and 72 MPH all the way. In Tennesse there was a sticker on the pump that read, "If you vehicle is 2007 or older, this fuel could be harmful to your engine due to the low sulpfur content," They were the only state that notified you of the issue and BP was the only station that warned you. Thanks for all the advice, good luck to all of us with diesels.
Posted 2007-06-15 2:53 PM (#62339 - in reply to #61896) Subject: RE: F-250 diesel
Member
Posts: 38
Location: Elgin, Texas
Originally written by Reg on 2007-06-06 3:40 PM
Originally written by kmh on 2007-06-06 8:36 AM
There was a post on BarrelHorseWorld a while back about the new ultra low sulfer diesel. It is a dryer fuel and therefore everyone who owns a 2006 or older should always put an additive each fill up. I have noticed that my mileage has gone back to normal on my 99 F250 since doing this.
This does NOT apply to my '03 Duramax.
Fords might be different in some way, although it is difficult to imagine where such a difference would affect fuel mileage adversely and that the adverse effect would be reversed by the use of an additive.
"Dryer" ?
As in different surface tension, less absorbed water, or what ?
I am only stating what was posted on barrelhorseworld.com. I was also told by a friend of mine that a mechanic (works on all brands)told her the same thing. The new diesel will harm the older trucks. Rather than take any chance on major repairs, I will put additive in my truck from now on. Just my choice.
Posted 2007-06-15 3:28 PM (#62342 - in reply to #61641) Subject: RE: F-250 diesel
Expert
Posts: 1205
Location: Arkansas
What is the additive and where do you get yours? i have a 2000 F350 powerstroke, and noticed the last time I was in town the diesel has been changed to the low sulfur type. Have not fueled up with any yet......
Posted 2007-06-15 7:42 PM (#62351 - in reply to #61641) Subject: RE: F-250 diesel
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 304
I always use Power Service Diesel Kleen. Get it at Walmart. White bottle for winter, grey bottle for summer. But there are many other goods ones out there like Standyne.