I purchased a bottle of Howes Lubricator Diesel Treat.


Here is what the label states.

"Howes will absolutley prevent gelling when used each time you add fuel. Howes keeps parafin wax molecules separated and removes water harmlessly without alcohol. The proof is little of no water in the water separator.

Other products disperse water into the fuel where it can freeze and clog filters...and they do not offer the Howes guarantee."

So in one sentence Howes claims little or no water in the separator and then in another sentence they claim they do not disperse water.

So if the water is not in the separator and the water is not dispersed, then where the heck is it?

Does this product demulsify or emulsify? Or does it use magic?

Seems to make my truck run smooth but I am just curios what they do with the water?

Good question, beleive there's another one (Brand) that makes a similar claim about the water.Now if they all would only tell us how much water per gallon of fuel they make disapear, emulsify, de-emulsiify or whaatever and prove it , I'd be real happy. Another mystery is how much additional lubricitity we need per gallon of fuel and how much do the manufactures put in thier addiitives. Looks like a big snake oil show sometimes and still I support it.

I asked the same thing about Rotella DFA on the official rotella website. The answer I got was the following from the shell tech guy was the following.... (BTW - any claim by a vendor that water is surrounded by a lubricating boundary layer is complete B.S. unless lubrizol is making it - they own the patent on this process.)

--------

Jeff –

DFA disperses small amounts of water by virtue of its deicing ability. This means water is attracted by polar additives that disperse it harmlessly in the fuel. This does not result in emulsion formation, or uptake of free water. Being dispersed in the fuel, water cannot form ice crystals that might plug fuel passages. The amount of water is so slight as to not cause harm to injectors (see below).

If fuel containing ROTELLA DFA contacts free water, it will shed that water rather than form an emulsion. In this case, the water remains in the tank bottom as a distinct layer, separate from the fuel. Any free water picked up from the tank will be separated at the filter, where it can be manually drained.

ROTELLA DFA contains corrosion inhibitors that reduce corrosion on steel surfaces, thus protecting tank, lines, and other steel surfaces when water is present.

Free water, or water/fuel emulsion delivered to an injector, can be a disaster. Water is instantly turned to steam with sufficient force to destroy injector tips. Not only is the injector ruined, but metal debris enters the combustion chamber where it can damage pistons and liners, as well as turbocharger fins.

Just checked the diesel additive comparison on stanadyne's website - howe's didn't do much at all in terms of lubricity. And to clear up confusion that almost always comes up regarding this one - "howe's lubricator" is brand name and "diesel treat" is product name for this additive.

Based on what I have read - I would use rotella DFA or stanadyne performance formula. In terms of which additives are best relative to new ultra low sulfer diesel - I think rotella is only one with stated HFRR test results. In winter, I add one dose of stanadyne "world blend" lubricity formula and one dose "performance formula". In summer, I use 1.5X to 2X dose of lubricity formula (depending on how I feel that day.).

- jeff

Do a search on fuel and additives . . . I use B-100 for lubricity (only as additive) and Primrose as anti-gelling additive. Lots of opinions out there. interesting to examine some fuel filters to see if they have any rust inside after 7-10k miles . . . . .

The reason I posted is because of what I thought to be a contradiction on there label. They claim no water at the separator which leads you to think emulsyifier. Then they go on to bad mouth other additives that emulsify(disperse).

I always figured the water had to either go to the water separator or to the injectors. From reading the responses the bottom of the fuel tank is the third option.

I always run the tank down to less than 3 gallons. Guess I burn of my water then.:eek:

Of all the additive companies I have requested information from Howes is the only one that would not share information. One simple question to them was how they took care of water (Demulsify or Emulsify) They felt that I was asking for too much information and would not give me an answer other than the sales pitch that their products were superior to all. (words with no facts) I was shocked at their reply and will not use their products. It also took several attempts to get a reply at all.

To disperse water or to make it so that it does not freeze you would need some sort of alchohol type product. Correct? And to also add for lubicating purpose to flow with an alchohol type you would need some sort of oil that is not going to brake down being together or maybe lead. Correct?
Maybe they use some of the both in their product.
Just asking a question.

Masterp2 is supposed to be a chemical engineer. Maybe he could enlighten us on the organic chemistry behind these additive products.