Do you use fuel additives? (any info on maintenance)

I've got a 1992 3L diesel Hiace and am wondering if I should add diesel additive and if so, what kind? I can't seem to find much information on the maintenance other than the great reliability, just change the oil!! But seriously. Any info on maintenance would be greatly appreciated.

These are very very simple diesel engines. You can burn anything inside there that will burn. Probably even vegetable oil I wouldn't waste your money on fuel additives. Just give it regular maintenance.

If you want to give the hi-ace some extra attention, I would rather spend time on the coolant system, that should be working well. So if the coolant looks really bad, flush it a couple of times, and put new one in.

Thanks. Does anybody else agree with this statement? I shouldn't bother with additive? I know a guy who used it on his trip to South America and put it in every single fill up. I am trying to get multiple opinions.

I would be happy to hear about good opinions. I'm not saying that this stuff won't do it's job, but for me it seems a bit pointless when you have such a simple diesel engine that could even run on vegetable oil.

I used to run on veg oil used anything I could get for free. Don't think anything made any difference.

As said it is an old technology engine from the late 1960s and most run on into 100 of thousands kms before they expire as long as the oil has been changed every 5k kms.

Every 5K km? I think that is only relevant if you use mineral oil right? With semi synthetic oil you could do a longer interval.
But in rough conditions like desert countries it is good to do it that often.



Anyway these engines don't die from bad fuel or bad lubrication. They die of overheating and cracked heads. So if you want to give your van some extra attention, make sure that the coolant system is working fine. Flush and replace it and make sure the viscose fan is working well.

Yes 5k kms, no matter what oil you use it is the caustic blow by that first makes the oil black, and breaks down any oil.

Okay well this kind of went off topic. But I have a question for oil too! I changed my oil and put 7L of 15W40. On the dipstick it said it was about 1 inch (2.5 cm) above. I waited for it to settle 10 minutes. I even started the engine. Etc. Now I drained some because I did not like the idea of overfilling oil. Now I removed a L, it is about 0.5 cm above the full line, I am new to 4 wheelers, I've always had a motorcycle. Anyway, was it wrong to take out that 1L of oil even though it's recommended to put in 7L? It is still above the full mark and I am paranoid.

fuel additive...be careful what kind, ir has to burn. i use stanadyne (2 different kinds) available at lordco. it is a cetane booster and will increase performance and clean your tank and fuel separator as well as lubricate the seals in the pump. The performance one is also anti'-gel Canadien winters, good for Oui Also be very careful not to put too much as it is a highly concentrated formula....ask questions and read to become best imformed

Please keep in mind diesel fuel has changed from 20 years ago and has less sulphur (which is a lubricant) . some bunker stations have additive in the diesel sold. Be careful of using anything other than LSD if the injection pump has not been rebuilt. Take your engine to a certified diesel fuel specialist once a year.(if you smell diesel fumes go now or it is dripping while running go yesterday) oh and the Stanadyne boost fuel economy by 10%

As to the coolant system, Flush often. Be careful not to mix toyota red and prestone green (corrosive). Flush. Radiators in the Aces rarely last more than 20 years. They can be re-cored at a great savings. Do this when changing T-belt or pump if possible. Watch temp gauge. If over half to 3/4 (esp. with "L" series engine) pull over and let cool down. Carry extra water and coolant. Check under rad cap for rust and coolant/anti-freeze level before starting

All very good info, but to be honest: Why take the car to a diesel specialist every year when it is running perfectly well?
Sure, if it smokes a lot or if it doesn't run so well, it is a good idea to a garage that is specialized in diesel engines. They know what to do with a fuel pump.

This is the second diesel (and 4x4) that I have now, and this one is also running great, just like the old one. Never needed to see a specialist.

Tamarack and Hiace4wd, thanks for the info.

I will be sure to check out the stanadyne stuff.

1. I don't think the injection pump has been rebuilt. All major gas stations I've been to seem to have ULSD. But if I run into some small town and don't have any other option if than non LSD diesel, will that be a big problem to fuel up on that once?

2. I don't have any leaks, but when you say dripping diesel, where would it be dripping from? Near the tank?

3. I had my coolant flushed at Japanoid in Surrey this past January. Don't know if they did a great job as they seem a bit overpriced over there compared to Silk Roads quotes. They put the green stuff in. When I open the rad cap and look in the hole the fluid is green with a very very slight tint of orange. When I dip a piece of white paper towel in the hole, there is no green, only an orangy. It is not milky at all. Still assuming it's rust. How bad is it to run the vehicle like this? Should I just keep checking until the orange gets closer to very very orange?

4. When at a stop light in D gear (automatic) with the brakes pressed, the van feels like it wants to go forward, unlike your average car that doesn't seem to want to force forward until you slightly let go of the brake, my HiAce seems to want to push forward. Anyone have this issue?

5.When the A/C is on, the engine shakes even more and seems to want to force going forward even more. My A/C belt is very loose and can not be tightened. When I turn off the A/C, the engine stops shaking so much.

6. I think I will start a new thread about # 4 and 5 if I can't find a similar thread on the forum.

I am currently in California where all the diesel is Diesel#2 which is ULSD ( ultra low sulfur diesel).
Someone told me a good idea would be to put some ATF fluid in the tank at each fill up. I really don't want to screw up the seals. What should I do?

I read about it and I think the ULSD should now meat all lubrication requirements.
I think they used ATF when there was Low Sulfur Diesel (so before Ultra Low) since it did not have all the right lubrication, that is why ATF has helped.

But lubrication should not be the issue anymore, seals might be the issue as you already say.
Don't you already have ULSD in Canada?

Anyway, reading the Wikipedia article about ULSD it seems we have it here in Europe as well, and I don't have any problems with a very similar engine (I have the 2L type, you have the 3L type)

Alright guys, thanks so much for all your answers. I will probably not add anything into the tank until I am sure.