Fuel Additives

There are different products in the category that satisfy different applications.

Injector Cleaners – Modern engines use sophisticated and use very precise injection systems that work best when they are clean and free from impurities.  Hence injector cleaners need to clean and lubricate fuel injectors so they operate efficiently.

Diesel fuel injectors used in common rail systems use very high pressure to atomise the fuel as it enters the combustion chamber. Impurities in the fuel being pushed through the injector at high pressure can act like an abrasive and distort the injector nozzle, leading to poor performance, fuel consumption increases, poor running and even engine detonation.

System Cleaners – These are stronger and more concentrated forms of fuel cleaners that start cleaning in the fuel tank and go right through to combustion. They keep system clean and lubricated and are used periodically as a maintenance product.

Octane Boosters – Added to the fuel to increase the octane value of the fuel and improve engine performance.

Emission Cleaners – Some are added to the fuel to aid in the combustion process and exhaust after treatment processes. Others are a separate additive that is pumped directly into the exhaust system such as Adblue® or Eolys fluid.

Upper Cylinder Lubricants – These can be added to fuel or mixed prior to fuel entering the combustion chamber via a drip system into the fuel supply. Used primarily in vehicles running on LPG.

Water Demulsifiers – absorb water into fuel to protect engines during combustion. Primarily needed for diesel engines that can fail if water ends up in the combustion process. The Australian Standards calls for 200ppm maximum in diesel fuel. Water in fuel can lead to rust and corrosion of the fuel system and the formation of microbes that can create unwanted contaminants in the fuel. Water has lower viscosity than diesel and provides less of a lubrication between the opposing surfaces of moving parts. This leads to increased abrasive wear.  Water also causes Etching as the water in the fuel causes degradation of the fuel which then produces hydrogen sulfide and sulfuric acid that "eat" into metal surfaces. Spalling occurs due to hydrogen embrittlement and pressure. Water is forced into microscopic cracks in metal surfaces. Then, under extreme pressure, it decomposes and releases hydrogen in a “mini-explosion” which enlarges the cracks and creates wear particles. 

Biocides – used to decontaminate diesel fuel that is affected by fungus growth. Generally seen in hot and humid conditions in the northern part of Australia.

De-waxers – Added to fuel to stop it freezing in extremely cold conditions. Needed in alpine conditions where the temperature falls well below freezing point.

Stabilisers – All fuel goes off or loses its potency over time. Fuel Stabilisers prevent or slow down this process to save the fuel from having to be discarded.

Lead Replacement Additives – Used to replace lead oxide in fuels and to protect against valve seat recession in engines that do not have hardened valve seats. Led oxide in leaded fuels acted as a cushion for the exhaust valve preventing VSR. When unleaded fuels were introduced manufacturers installed hardened valve seats into new cars to alloy them to run on unleaded fuel. Mainly used for pre-1987 model vehicles in Australia and NZ

Automotive Additives are products that are mixed with another liquid to achieve or address a purpose. There are additives available for nearly all areas of a vehicle covering -

• Engine
• Fuel
• Cooling System
• Auto Transmission
• Differential
• Manual Gear Box
• Steering
• Exhaust
• Washes

Additives are placed in with the standard lubricant/coolant/washing/hydraulic systems to either improve the performance of the original fluid or fix an issue with a mechanical problem.

The most common additives such as Windscreen Washer Additive, is found in almost all vehicles on the road as it is used throughout a service cycle period. Others such as Limited Differential Additive, may only be used every 50,000kms or when the differential oil is changed.

Some additives may get used repeatedly such as injector cleaners and windscreen washer additives whereas some, such as a radiator or power steering stop leak, may only ever be used once in a vehicles lifetime.

Additives can be used to facilitate better and more complete servicing of an engine, transmission or cooling system as well as bolstering performance or lowering emissions.

Engine

Engine Flush – These have become more popular in the last 20 years as service intervals have increased. The increase in time the oil is in the engine can lead to sludge formation as the oil becomes saturated with impurities. It can also lead to oxidation and oil thickening that can cripple an engine. Modern engines run hotter and cleaner than older motors which makes them more efficient, but the oil also has to be able to cope with these increases and for longer. Hence engine flushes at service time is a great way to remove impurities from the engine internals and leave a clean motor to get the best out of the new oil.

There are different types of engine flush such as solvent and detergent base flushes. Solvent types can dilute the oil and be harsher on seals and gaskets. Non-solvent types are safer and use the same detergent technology in oils to clean the engine.

Engine Stop Leaks - These products are temporary repair products that are mixed with the engine oil and can increase the viscosity of the oil and or contain seal swell agents to quell engine oil leaks. Due to the way these products work, they are not suitable for all types of engines. Engines that have variable valve timing or diesel engines with oil driven fuel pumps should not use these types of products.

Engine Oil Additives – Additives are available for –

• Viscosity Modifiers
• Friction Modifiers
• Teflon Treatments
• Zinc Additives
• Oil Stabiliser
• Break In additives
• Repair Additives
• Additives to quieten noisy engines

Most modern late specification engine oils will not need additives added to them as they already have the correct and balanced dosage of additives to base oil. There is always exceptions and engine oil additives are a way to solve  or temporarily address issues that may require mechanical repairs. They may also be used to increase performance and longevity of an engine.

Modern engines are designed to run as clean as possible to maintain fuel efficiency, exhaust emissions and longevity of the motor. Modern engine oils are high detergent to help maintain engine cleanliness. Using an engine flush when changing the oil, helps keep the engine internals clean and free of sludge and deposits that can cause component or engine failure.

Using an engine flush at each oil change, is preventative maintenance for an engine. "Solvent Free" formulations use the same detergent types that are used in engine oils and don't pose any threat to the motor. They are extremely effective at cleaning up an engine and preventing sludge and deposits forming as the oil reaches its end of life cycle.

Not all motorists religiously follow their manufacturer service intervals or use the best quality oil in their engines. Going over the service interval can lead to the oil dispersants becoming saturated and therefore not being able to carry any more impurities. This leads to impurities being circulated around the engine leaving deposits and the formation of sludge.

Using a poor quality engine oil can also lead to higher oxidation levels where the oil breaks down and loses its effective cleaning and lubricating properties.

Poorer quality oils are not designed to protect an engine over an extended service period. Rust and Corrosion inhibitors, Oxidation Inhibitors, Anti Wear Agents and VI Improvers are well and truly spent by the time the service period has expired.

A good engine flush will work with the old oil to neutralise, clean and remove impurities before they become an issue. This also helps the new oil do it's job better and longer because its additives are not cleaning up left over impurities.

It's good preventative maintenance to use a solvent free engine flush at each oil change.

 Transmission Stop Leaks – Generally added to an ATF (Automatic Transmission Fluid). Work like an engine oil sealant. They can contain seal swell agents to prevent leaking.

Manual Gearbox Additives - used to improve the shift quality of manual gearboxes. Can also be used in some cases as friction modifier for LSDs (Limited Slip Differentials)

Automatic Transmission Additive - Added to Automatic Transmission Fluid to improve shift quality.

Power Steering Stop Leak – Similar to Transmission Stop leaks.

Coolant or Radiator Stop Leaks – These can vary from simple radiator products to head gasket repair type products. Designed to work in with coolants and water and be compatible with different metal, rubber and plastic types used in the cooling system.

Cooling System or Radiator Flushes – These products need to be able to clean out a cooling system without creating leaks, but also neutralise inhibitor packs used in coolants. They are usually used when changing the coolant.