Anyone Else Tried Lucas Fuel Treatment?

retmil46 · **Posted:** Thu Mar 08, 2007 1:48 am

Normally I shy away from the "magic cure in a bottle" (ie, snake oil) type stuff. However, two gents whom I work with both have Dodge Cummins pickups, and are meticulous to the point of obsession in how they care for their trucks.

When both of these gents practically swore by Lucas Fuel Treatment and a couple of their other products, I decided that, considering the source of the praise, it might be worth giving it a try. I picked up a quart bottle and have been trying it in the '87 MB.

Surprisingly, so far it looks as though these two gents weren't blowing smoke, that to some extent this stuff does work as advertised.

Right now, I'm 1/4 of the way into my second full tank using LFT. As per the recommendations on their website, I've been using double the recommended dose per 10 gallons of fuel for the first 100 gallons for a diesel that's already seen quite a few miles (normal dose 3 oz per 10 gallons). I've also been using the same filling station and same pump.

First tank showed some increase in overall range, and so far the second tank is showing a marked increase in fuel mileage, enough of an increase so that even after 1/4 tank I'm comfortable that it couldn't all be due to fuel gauge "slop".

However, what has really caught my attention is that it has quieted down the engine noticeably. Ever since I've purchased this car, it has had a persistent "whack whack whack" noise akin to injector nailing or lifter noise at low rpm, no matter if stone cold or fully warmed up. I've tried running Diesel Purge thru it, switching to Mobil 1 5W40 synthetic oil, even having the MB dealer check the injectors (replaced #6) and injection timing and rolling in a new timing chain and associated hardware. Nothing, I still ended up with that blasted woodpecker under the hood.

Over the past 3 days, I realized that the woodpecker seems to have taken up residence elsewhere. No more "whack" noise, even on cold startup.

Even if this stuff didn't give any increase in fuel mileage or other benefit, if it truly is responsible for getting rid of that irritating clack, it would still be worth it to me to keep adding it as avian noisemaker repellent.

Has anyone else tried this stuff, and what were your results - good, bad, or indifferent?

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Thu Mar 08, 2007 8:10 am

Well I don't have a CRD but I use Lucas injector cleaner in my KJ every oil change.It's some good stuff,my buddies and I have been using Lucas products since we started driving and have been very impressed.When I had my '84 F-150 the tranny slipped bad and the PS whined horrible,added Lucas treatments and the tranny stopped slipping and the PS pump shut up.I aslo use it in my PS pump on my KJ and still no noise even when cold yet.It's by no means a "cure-all" but I think it helps prolong the life of the vehicle,even if it's only for awhile it's worth it.

alljeep · **Posted:** Thu Mar 08, 2007 8:17 am

I never heard of Lucas Oil until they purchased the naming rights to the new football stadium they are building here in Indianapolis. Then, they had shows, and interviews with the whole Lucas family. I guess they have been building up the business for a long, long time. Mrs. Lucas even likes to do a little drag racing!

Anyway, it's the first I've heard of them and it's good to hear folks have used their products and not trashed their equipment. For the CRD, how does the cost compare to the big jug of Power Service???

retmil46 · **Posted:** Thu Mar 08, 2007 11:58 am

It's 8 bucks and change for a 32 oz bottle at the local parts stores. Normal dose is 3 oz per 10 gallons, so 6 oz per full tank on a CRD, enough for 5 full tanks.

However, I haven't tried this on the CRD, just on the older MB. So I don't know how or if at all the CRD would respond to it.

Another thing to note - this doesn't have any anti-gel or cetane additives listed. Main things listed on the bottle and website are for lubricity additives and cleaners.

From their website, they do make a version of this with anti-gel for winter use, and a biocide treatment as well, but haven't seen any of them available locally.

KJMedic · **Posted:** Thu Mar 08, 2007 12:16 pm

I have used it in the past in my Chevy and in my CJ5. I have tried it in my CRD some but did not really pay attention to how well my MPG did. It was in the summer and we had a lot of brush fires and my CRD sat running with the AC on while I had command so it was not a good time to check it. They sponsered a friend of mine last year in Nextel Cup. Lucas has been used in Race Cars for some time with good results.

MightyCRD · **Posted:** Thu Mar 08, 2007 1:30 pm

I didn't notice any difference when I ran it in my CRD; however, with the lower mileage (around 12K) there probably isn't enough buildup anywhere to start cutting fuel mileage considerably. My uncle owns his own heavy equipment repair business though, and he swears by the stuff as well.

I can say I didn't notice any BAD effects from it - it probably is good preventative maintenance and helps keep the injector pump lubed at any rate.

Reg#43897 · **Posted:** Thu Mar 15, 2007 10:17 am

I use their Upper cylinder Lubricant all the time in my engines, 2.8 included. Smoother idle & slight fuel economy increase. Quiets the diesel considerably. I also use PS for anti-gel reasons. I can get the anti-gel Lucas locally but it is not economical. From all that I have heard, the Lucas UCL is about their best product - I wouldn't use any of their other stuff.

John.

Anyone Else Tried Lucas Fuel Treatment?

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