January 2008 - Performance Zone
SAVING YOUR INJECTORS
By Performance Specialist Bruce C. Mallinson
At our diesel shop in Pennsylvania, it’s not uncommon to have over 150 phone calls per day from owner-operators, many of whom are having problems with their engines. And when the problem is injectors failing, my very next question is “Are you using Lucas Fuel Conditioner?” Their answer is almost always, “No.” I then begin to give them a lesson (sermon) about diesel fuel. Today’s diesel fuel (and gasoline) is very dry because all of the aromatics and other helpful chemicals are being removed. I tell them what I’ll tell you now – you must add some form of lubricity to your fuel or you will continue to have injector problems. And if you’re running an older mechanical engine, you really need to add lubricity to your fuel.
Many owner-operators say that fuel conditioners like Lucas are too expensive? Well, let’s take a look at the actual cost of using Lucas over a period of one year and driving 150,000 miles. Let’s use the average fuel mileage of today’s trucks, which is 5.5 mpg. In one year, you will use 27,272 gallons – and at $3.50 per gallon (yikes!) that comes to a cost of $95,452. If you only gain 1/10 of a mile per gallon using the Lucas product, your fuel cost for the same 150,000 miles traveled will be $93,749 – that’s a savings of $1,703. Now let’s factor in the cost of the fuel conditioner.
The Lucas Fuel Conditioner purchased at trucks stops is about $24.00 per gallon, and one gallon treats 400 gallons of diesel fuel. So for the one year of driving, it will take 68 gallons of Lucas to treat your fuel, at a total cost of $1,632. You may think it’s a wash, but is it? Keep in mind that we are talking about only gaining 1/10 mpg. What happens if you gain 2/10 mpg? The cost of the fuel will be $92,150 for a savings of $3,350. So now the cost of the Lucas is only 50% of your fuel savings, and we are still only talking about saving 2/10ths of a mile per gallon.
But is fuel mileage all you are saving? Heavens no! You are saving your injectors as well, and the cost of replacing just one can be significant. I have heard horror stories of $900 to change just one electronic injector when you’re out on the road. So if you loose just two injectors per year, you’re spending more than the cost of the Lucas product for the entire year. And don’t forget about the cost of the fuel pump, which also benefits from the lubricity of the Lucas Fuel Conditioner.
By the way, if you purchase Lucas from us in the 55-gallon drum, we can save you $6.00 per gallon, which brings your cost per year down to $1,224 instead of $1,632. At Pittsburgh Power we have three Dodge Cummins pickup trucks and one Kenworth and we use Lucas Oil Products in each and every vehicle – and they all run great! Please keep in mind that I do not get paid to write about Lucas Oil Products, I just believe that they are really good products worth talking about and recommending. Let’s talk about another product that helps save your fuel system (and money).
Most of my readers out there know that the FASS Fuel System removes the air from diesel fuel, but did you know that the air in diesel fuel can create cavitations in fuel pumps and injectors? These cavitations eat the gears in the pump and the plungers in the injectors. We all know that a set of electronic injectors costs $1,900 to $2,400 and about $640 or more for the labor to install them. The cost of the FASS Fuel System is $579 + $38 for the GT Splitter Valve, about $200 for the Airequipt hose, and $480 in labor to install the unit. That is still half the price of a set of injectors installed, and we still haven’t even touched on the fuel savings gained by the FASS system.
Many owner-operators say that this product is the best of all the add-on fuel saving items because it allows the engine to run so much smoother and pull more consistently. The Acert Cats greatly benefit from the FASS Fuel System – especially the BXS Acerts of 2004. The FASS system will improve your fuel mileage by at least 2/10 mpg and give you at least 30 more horsepower. And, using the same numbers we used before, we all know that a 2/10 mpg improvement in fuel mileage will save about $3,350 per year.
And by all means, don’t forget about our straight-through mufflers, which can give you another quarter mpg, for a savings of $4,250 per year. And considering that these mufflers only cost $158 that is a tremendous return on your small investment. The Pittsburgh Power Performance Computer, along with these other products mentioned, makes for one great running semi truck that will put a smile on your face every time you crank it up! And the performance computer will pay for itself in only six short months with a fuel savings of 3/10 or more mpg plus plenty of power and torque – more than you’ll ever use or need!
So, in my way of thinking, the worst thing you could do is leave your truck stock. I can’t say that enough! Stock trucks are harder on fuel and the engines will not live as long because of the soot and iron particles in the oil. Stock trucks are also not as much fun to drive, and certainly will not give you as much pride in your ride as a modified truck will give you. Again, not making any changes to your truck is the worst thing you could do.
If any of my products do not do what we tell you they will do, you can return them. How’s that for confidence! So use Lucas Fuel Conditioner, along with some or all of these other products, and save money on fuel – and save your injectors as well. If you have any performance-related comments or questions, e-mail me at bruce@pittsburghpower.com or call me at (724) 360-4080.