Ethanol in gasoline tends to absorb moisture. Professional-strength GAS-SHOK Plus disperses residual water that then gets burned off as steam. It’s rated for engines running E-10 to E-85 blends.

Petroleum-based GAS-SHOK Plus doesn’t contain alcohol or acids, so it won’t damage hoses, gaskets or other components. Used regularly, it keeps the fuel system clean by preventing gum and varnish from accumulating on rings, valves and related parts. Plus, the advanced formula adds lubrication to extend the life of the fuel pump and injectors. These attributes translate into better mileage and an engine that runs as smooth as silk. A video is at bit.ly/GAS-SHOK.

GAS-SHOK Plus is simply added to the fuel tank, one ounce per 10 gallons of gasoline. Ideal for winterizing, it has no impact on engine warranties. An 8 oz. container of GAS-SHOK Plus treats 80 gal. and costs $18.85; 32 oz. remedies 320 gal. and runs $47.20; and one gal. doses 1,280 gal of gasoline and is $139.60.

USA Fuel Service, W 15223 Kelly Rd., Taylor, WI 54659. 866-575-3835. www.usafuelservice.com.

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Desl-Shok eliminates condensation and dissolves sludge in the fuel tank—reported to be the root cause of over 70% of engine failures. The broad-spectrum formula cleans injectors, carburetors and fuel lines to promote a cleaner burn that, in turn, reduces carbon build-up in the motor and exhaust. It also decreases smoke and engine noise.

Regular use of Desl-Shok stabilizes and boosts cetane levels and acts as a lubricant throughout the fuel system. This is especially important in areas where temperatures drop.

The unique formula contains no acids or alcohol, so it won’t harm gaskets, hoses, seals and other components. Plus, using it will not affect warranties of two- and four-stroke diesel engines.

USA Fuel Service Desl-Shok comes in three convenient sizes. The 8 oz. container treats 80 gal. of diesel fuel and costs $18.85; 32 oz. doses 320 gal. and runs $47.20; and 1 gal. treats 1,280 gal. of fuel and is $139.60.

USA Fuel Service, W 15223 Kelly Rd., Taylor, WI 54659. 866-575-3835. www.usafuelservice.com.

The post DESL-SHOK REMOVES WATER IN DIESEL FUEL, BOOSTS CETANE LEVELS appeared first on USA Fuel Service.

Why polish fuel?

Over any given period of time fuels in storage can develop pools of sludge, sediment and water caused by microbial contamination. This contamination can quite easily find its way into fuel at one of the many exchange points in its journey from source to end user. Left untreated, the levels of contamination worsen to the point where damage to machinery, pumps and engines is likely. When fuel is pumped into a tank condensation, atmospheric absorption, and a faulty tank are usually the main causes of fuel contamination. Microbes find their way into fuel and cause problems as they multiply and grow.

Symptoms of ‘fuel bugs’ or ‘diesel bugs’

The symptoms of diesel bugs are easy to find. Important things to check over and look out for are:

• Blocked Filters
• Fuel System Failure
• Worn Fuel Injectors
• Corroded Tanks
• Engine Failure

Microbial contamination is heavily accelerated when higher biodiesel content content occurs along with lower sulphur content.

The process

In essence “polishing” is an advanced level filtration of the fuel, monitored and controlled via a central processing unit. Its application ensures the need for fuel additives is either massively reduced or totally removed. A typical process involves a single pass of the fuel through different apparatus, removing increasingly finer contaminant in each stage. The application of different filter technologies is vital; a single process is not sufficient to extract the different forms of water and matter found in fuel.

During the fuel polishing process, multiple stages are required to effectively remove the solid particulates, wet foreign matter and water from the fuel. This multi-stage process ensures the high efficiency of the process, however ensuring dense matter removal first is key, as is the removal of large matter on the suction side of the internal pumping stage. High pressurisation of fuel contamination is notoriously dangerous and as such the majority of the polishing process should be carried out on the suction side. The pressure side process is often referred to as the final or finishing stage, where 2 micron particulate^[4] is removed and the fuel’s final water content is extracted to within the efficiency of the filter stages.

The amount of time required to complete the fuel polishing process depends on several factors. One of the most important is the specific fuel polishing machine used. Fuel cleaning machines can polish at rates from 8 litres per minute to upwards of 400 litres per minute, however the factors which govern the process are about more than just flow rate. In fact a high flow rate can be detrimental to the overall effect due to increased pressures in the filter stages and adverse disturbance in the fuel tank. Another factor can be the quality of the fuel. If the fuel is highly contaminated it will typically take longer to clean than a batch of cleaner fuel of the same volume. The third factor to take into account is the volume of fuel to be processed. It may seem obvious but the larger the volume of fuel that requires polishing, the longer it will take to complete the cleaning process.

Source

The post What is Fuel Polishing? appeared first on USA Fuel Service.

It provides the highest level of protection to reduce or eliminate condensation build-up in fuel tanks which is reported to be the root cause of over 70% of engine failures. It keeps injectors, carbs and fuel lines clean and promotes a cleaner burning fuel which reduces carbon build-up in engines and exhaust systems.

GAS-SHOK’S broad spectrum formula delivers the full range of protection you need including a water-dispersant, stabilizer, lubricant, cleaner and combustion enhancer. It provides everything needed to keep your boat, auto, truck, motorcycle, RV, generator or lawn equipment starting easily and running smoothly.  

FEATURE AND BENEFITS;

• Controls and disperses water in fuel tanks/systems
• Protects rubber/plastic seals and gaskets from ethanol damage.
• Restores lost fuel economy due to carbon fouled rings, valves and injectors.
• Stabilizes all gasolines including ethanol blends.
• Adds lubrication to extend fuel pump and injector life.

Get GAS-SHOK here: USA Fuel Service

The post How “GAS-SHOK” Works! appeared first on USA Fuel Service.

The post Are Fuel Additives Worth The Money? appeared first on USA Fuel Service.

It is very similar to the way they package bleach/chlorine. You can buy it in retail stores at different strengths, typically 3.5% for lowest cost, regular household strength at 5% is mid-price and pool chlorine at 10% is more expensive. It is all chlorine just diluted with more water to get the different concentrations for efficiency and price levels. The point is water is the carrier used to blend with the chlorine. You are buying mostly water which is an inactive ingredient.

This also typically holds true for fuel additives, the base is usually naphtha/Stoddard solvent which is essentially the same as kerosene or lamp oil. Then the producers add their package of chemical ingredients that modify the characteristics of fuels and make the additive unique to them. The combination of chemicals in the added package is far more expensive and usually each one has single use characteristics. Meaning they may be a good stabilizer or lubricant or booster or water dispersant, etcetera. There is no single chemical that is effective in all of those areas so several chemicals must be blended together to produce an effective multipurpose product.

For the producer this presents a dilemma, how do I blend a product that is low cost, low dosage, easy to package and still effective? In addition the most effective chemicals in each of those categories are more expensive and not necessarily compatible when blended together. They may not blend together well similar to oil and water, or stayed blended while sitting on the shelf for extended periods. Certain blends may attack their plastic container so special coatings are required plus there are many more considerations; the complexities of developing, blending and packaging a truly effective fuel additive is staggering.

Many producers solve the problems with compromises that can be confusing, misleading and can be more costly to consumers. The two most popular methods of solving the packaging and cost issues simultaneously is to dilute the product to where it does not attack the plastic container and/or separating the ingredients that makeup a full range fuel additive into two or three individual products. The consumer then has to buy two or three different products/bottles to get the same protection provided by a broad spectrum premium additive. They end up actually paying more with a low cost narrow spectrum product, especially if they have fuel issues and/or engine damage.

The bottom line is to realize as with any consumer item, the less expensive products will usually never be the best in category, quality will always cost more. Many of today’s products have very cleverly written labels to entice and sometimes mislead consumers into purchasing a marginal or less effective product.

When selecting a fuel additive always start with skepticism and use common sense, read the label carefully, consider the price within the category, make sure it does not affect warranties or harm gaskets, seals or engine components, read about the company on its website, , and look for testimonials with names disclosed.

Most premium fuel additives will be in the upper price range but they can provide a full range of benefits in one bottle instead of two or three. If you use a fuel additive that is a stabilizer, lubricant, combustion modifier and controls water you will eliminate the problems that cause over 70% of engine failures. For more information about our premium fuel additives see our products page.

© All rights reserved, www.usafuelservice.com

The post How Fuel Additives are Made appeared first on USA Fuel Service.

First, you should know a few facts and the history of fuel additives. A fuel additive is a blend of chemicals used to modify the makeup and/or improve the usability of gasoline or diesel. What most people don’t know is all fuels are a blend of chemicals and not simply one component. Therefore all fuels contain an additive package before they even reach the pump.

I am a retired “Blown-Fuel” drag boat racer/engine builder and I have blended and used fuel additives for more than 40-years.  We produced additives to mix with gasoline and diesel that boosted a 454 CID gas engine from 450HP to 1200HP. Racers today are using advanced fuel additive blends to make 10,000+ HP with a 500 CID engine. You can watch them at boat and car drag races on television almost every weekend. I chuckle as I often hear people say, “I don’t believe in fuel additives, they don’t work”. That is usually because they purchased the least expensive one they could find. Don’t try to tell that to us racers. The skeptics simply don’t understand how fuels are produced or modified and how to buy one that is effective. 

Aftermarket fuel additives have been around since Henry Ford. The old model “T” ran a lot better when he used a fuel additive. Check it on the internet; you will see that I am correct. However, I do agree that most aftermarket fuel additives you purchase don’t work as claimed. If you check their “Safety-Data-Sheet” (SDS) you will see that most are made up of low quality, ineffective or marginally effective ingredients so they can be sold at a low cost. I am baffled by the fact that anyone would risk damaging an engine that cost tens of thousands of dollars to save a few pennies or dollars. Quality cost more money with anything you buy.

There are a few factors to consider before you buy a fuel additive;

• You should not use a fuel additive that contains alcohol. Your engine manufacturer plainly states that using more than 10% (E-10) ethanol fuels will void your warranty. Well, if you buy regular pump gas with 10% ethanol and add an additive containing more alcohol you just voided your warranty. (The exception is Flex Fuel engines).
• More than 70% of all engine failures are water/fuel related. You should look for an additive that states it helps control water. However most of those use alcohol. (even those usually are not very effective)
• You want one that adds lubrication because our new reformulated fuels have less than the fuels of the past.
• You should also look for one that stabilizes the fuel to help slow degradation in stored fuels. Modern fuels are not nearly as stable as fuels use to be.
• A few of the premium additives also have combustion enhancers that help the fuel burn cleaner with less carbon/smoke. (Extremely important for four-stroke outboards)

You will usually have to buy two or three different brands/bottles of the less expensive additives to get all of these benefits and end up spending more money.  The bottom line is look for a premium fuel additive that meets all the above criteria. Only a very few additives are effective in all categories, they will never be the lowest or medium priced additives on the shelf. Quality always costs little more but is less expensive in the end.

See our products page to see our state-of-the-art Gas and Diesel additives

For more information about fuel additives see our “How fuel additives are made” page.

www.usafuelservice.com  © All rights reserved

The post Which Fuel Additives Should I Use? appeared first on USA Fuel Service.

A: There potentially several sources that can contribute to water issues in fuel/tanks. Ethanol and bio-diesel blended fuels will inherently pull moisture from humid air. Partially filled fuel tanks will sweat with day to night temperature changes and older seals, gaskets and O-rings on fill caps often leak. They should be changed every 18-24 months. (See our “TECH-TIPS” page for helpful details)

Q: What do I do if I find water in my fuel filter?

A: If it is a small amount ½ to 1-ounce but the engine starts easily and is running smoothly simply change the filter(s) and keep a close watch to see if the water returns or gets worse. If it is 3-ounces or more or gets progressively worse you should call a professional tank cleaning/fuel polishing company. They will remove the water from the bottom of the tank, clean the tank and polish the fuel.

Q: If I have water in my fuel tank do I lose the fuel?

A: In most cases NO, an experienced, professional fuel polishing company can usually save 70-90% of fuels less than 2-years old. However, beware, many unscrupulous companies will simply drain your tank or polish the fuel and leave. They have no means or knowledge of how to clean behind the baffles for trapped solids and water so the problem may reoccur in a few months.  An experienced, knowledgeable company will have access to safe chemicals capable of effectively cleaning the tank, dissolving solids, suspending and filtering/removing the water trapped behind tank baffles and rejuvenating the fuel to a usable state.

Q: What is the best way to maintain tanks in small boats and equipment?

A: Do not expose them to direct sunlight or extreme weather if possible, keep them 90% full and use a full spectrum fuel additive. This regimen will eliminate 70-80% of potential fuel problems in any fuel tank.  (See our “TECH-TIPS” page for helpful details)

Q: Why do most car/truck owners seldom have fuel problems?

A: They use their fuel and refill their tanks every 1-3 weeks so they always have fresh fuel. They also only need a fuel additive/cleaner every 3-6 months to lubricate the fuel pump and clean the injectors. Dirty injectors can lead to 5-20% reduction in MPG. Fuels stored 90-days or longer represent 70-80% of tank/fuel problems. (See our “TECH-TIPS” page for helpful details)

Q: What is the storage life of regular gasoline?

A: Regular gasoline begins discernible deterioration after about 90-days and should be considered risky to use after about 6 to 9-months in moderate climates and even less in severe climates.  However, routine tank maintenance and the use of a premium full spectrum fuel additive can extend the usable life to 1-2 years. (See our “TECH-TIPS” page for helpful details)

Q: What is the storage life of ethanol blended gasoline?

A: Ethanol blended gasolines (E-10, 15 & 20) can experience significant deterioration after about 60 days in moderate climates and if stored in wet or humid conditions even less. It can be risky to use after about 90-days. It requires a more diligent effort but again reducing moisture exposure, proper tank maintenance and the use of a premium full spectrum fuel additive can dramatically extend its usable life up to 1-2 years. (See our “TECH-TIPS” page for more ethanol details)

Q: What is the storage life of diesel (ULSD) fuel?

A: With regular tank maintenance Pure “Ultra-Low-Sulfur” diesel can typically be stored for 6 to12-months in moderate climates without significant deterioration. The use of a premium full spectrum fuel additive can extend usable to 2-3 years and even much longer with professional fuel management programs that include fuel testing and polishing.   (See our fuel management page for details)

Q: What is the storage life of diesel/Bio-diesel blends?

A: Most diesel fuels sold in the U.S. today are blends with 5-20% bio-diesel. Those fuels are much less stable than pure unblended diesel. They typically experience notable degradation after 3-6-months. Regularly scheduled tank maintenance and use of a premium full spectrum fuel additive can extend usable life to 1-2 years and much longer with professional fuel management programs that include fuel testing and polishing.   (See our fuel management page for details)

Q: How do I find a good fuel polishing company?

A: Check with your local dock master, fuel supplier, engine mechanic or search the internet. However, be extremely careful, use companies with personnel and equipment that are neat and clean, that’s a direct reflection of the quality of work they perform. Ask for references, experience level and proof of insurance. Find out if their equipment is mobile for use in limit access areas and if they provide before and after fuel samples as proof of performance.  BEWARE, and choose your vendor wisely, fuel polishing is an extreme explosion hazard, very dangerous and most states do not require or provide any training or special licenses to be in the business.

These questions and answers are based on more than 40-years of fuel experience. We have cleaned thousands of fuel tanks and polished and rejuvenated fuels with a 99% + success rate.

USA Fuel Service LLC.  All rights reserved ©

The post Q’s & A’s about fuel and tank care appeared first on USA Fuel Service.

First, you should know a few facts and the history of fuel additives. A fuel additive is a blend of chemicals used to modify the makeup and/or improve the usability of gasoline or diesel. What most people don’t know is all fuels are a blend of chemicals and not simply one component. Therefore all fuels contain an additive package before they even reach the pump.

I am a retired “Blown-Fuel” drag boat racer/engine builder and I have blended and used fuel additives for more than 40-years. We produced additives to mix with gasoline and diesel that boosted a 454 CID gas engine from 450HP to 1200HP. Racers today are using advanced fuel additive blends to make 10,000+ HP with a 500 CID engine. You can watch them at boat and car drag races on television almost every weekend. I chuckle as I often hear people say, “I don’t believe in fuel additives, they don’t work”. That is usually because they purchased the least expensive one they could find. Don’t try to tell that to us racers. The skeptics simply don’t understand how fuels are produced or modified and how to buy one that is effective.

Aftermarket fuel additives have been around since Henry Ford. The old model “T” ran a lot better when he used a fuel additive. Check it on the internet; you will see that I am correct. However, I do agree that most aftermarket fuel additives you purchase don’t work as claimed. If you check their “Safety-Data-Sheet” (SDS) you will see that most are made up of low quality, ineffective or marginally effective ingredients so they can be sold at a low cost. I am baffled by the fact that anyone would risk damaging an engine that cost tens of thousands of dollars to save a few pennies or dollars. Quality cost more money with anything you buy.

There are a few factors to consider before you buy a fuel additive;

1. You should not use a fuel additive that contains alcohol. Your engine manufacturer plainly states that using more than 10% (E-10) ethanol fuels will void your warranty. Well, if you buy regular pump gas with 10% ethanol and add an additive containing more alcohol you just voided your warranty. (The exception is Flex Fuel engines).
2. More than 70% of all engine failures are water/fuel related. You should look for an additive that states it helps control water. However most of those use alcohol. (even those usually are not very effective)
3. You want one that adds lubrication because our new reformulated fuels have less than the fuels of the past.
4. You should also look for one that stabilizes the fuel to help slow degradation in stored fuels. Modern fuels are not nearly as stable as fuels use to be.
5. A few of the premium additives also have combustion enhancers that help the fuel burn cleaner with less carbon/smoke. (Extremely important for four-stroke outboards)

You will usually have to buy two or three different brands/bottles of the less expensive additives to get all of these benefits and end up spending more money. The bottom line is look for a premium fuel additive that meets all the above criteria. Only a very few additives are effective in all categories, they will never be the lowest or medium priced additives on the shelf. Quality always costs little more but is less expensive in the end.

See our products page to see our state-of-the-art Gas and Diesel additives.

For more information about fuel additives see our “How fuel additives are made” page.

Article written by Tim Dutcher, www.usafuelservice.com © All rights reserved

The post Which Fuel Additive Should I Use? appeared first on USA Fuel Service.