SoyShield Diesel Treatment

Neil Womack · Sep 8, 2003

I'm currently a SoyShield Diesel Treatment user. I believe it helped me get a zero soot reading on my last oil analysis. Additionally the engine is quieter and does not give me that little puff of white smoke on start-up.

Sales pitch over. Now for the question.

When winter comes what can I use since the SoyShield does not lower the gel point of diesel fuel. SoyShield does come in a winter version. However, for me winter last a few weeks. So buying a 5 gallon pail of Winter SoyShield is out of the question.

Can I keep using the SoyShield and mix with a gel point lowering additive such as Schaeffer's Diesel Treat 2000, Power Service etc.?

Or should I discontinue the SoyShield as cold weather approaches and switch to a winter treatment?

[ September 08, 2003, 09:30 PM: Message edited by: Neil Womack ]

Neil Womack · Sep 9, 2003

Ken2

It gets cold here so seldom that I suspect many smaller diesel outlets do not treat the diesel or treat it insufficiently. My evidence is my mpg does not drop in the winter.

So on our very rare days where the high temp is 10*f I need a way to insure I can light the fires in the Golf.

I do plan on using a treatment.

Do you think a gel point depressant should be used with or without the SoySheild?

I will test the mixture, a la Bob, to insure they mix and stay mixed.

[ September 09, 2003, 09:36 PM: Message edited by: Neil Womack ]

Robbie Alexander · Sep 9, 2003

quote:

Originally posted by Neil Womack:
Ken2
--snip
It Do you think a gel point depressant should be used with or without the SoySheild?

I will test the mixture, a la Bob, to insure they mix and stay mixed.

I don't know enough about soyshield, but if you want to be safe then just run the depressant only.
Although I would see no reason why it shouldn't, I mean you are just adding this to the fuel.

They also make some fuel conditioners that treat the fuel and help with the wax issue too.

If you like the Soyshield that well, I would:
1. Buy the winter solution, you can always use it through the whole winter and not worry about THOSE days it gets cold. Probably have it for years this way.

Ken2 · Sep 9, 2003

How cold does it get there? Do you really need the winter fuel additive? Can you buy fuel premixed for winter? Or why not just add an anti-gel additive from your local truck stop, auto parts store, etc. for the short time you'll need it.

Ken

Bio-T · Sep 11, 2003

Neil,

I run the FP in my 01 PSD at the rate of 1 ounce to 5 gallons of diesel.

In my 95 I run a Tony Mix. I mix 2 ounces of regular Soy Shield to 3 gallons of fuel and 1 ounce of 2-cycle TCW-III, the cheapest I can buy. I usually pre-mix this in gallons. Then I add the mix to the fuel at the rate of 1 ounce to 1 gallon. No freezing in the winter, no smoke problems. Pulled the glow plugs last year and clean as new. No CC build-up.

Tim · Dec 18, 2003

Neil

When I lived in VA, I mixed PS and Soy Shield at every fill during the "winter" (50:50). My mileage (56 ave) and lack of smoke told me I certainly wasn't hurting anything.

Now that I am in Houston, I am just using the Soy Shield. I am keeping some PS handy in case I find myself north of College Station for some reason!!

toyvwbenz · Dec 24, 2003

I have used a mix of Soysheild and Power Service(white winter, silver summer) at every fill up in my A4 TDI for the last 40K miles. No negative issues.

It would probably be better to use the winterized soysheild. I would buy a gallon out of your case if you go that route.

Ken2 · Dec 26, 2003

Schaeffer's #137 Diesel Treat, #192 Neutra Plus, or #139 Soy Shield has all you need except for winter anti-gel. I'd suggest either using #137AND or #139A in the winter (and longer if you have it on hand), or #137, #192, or #139 plus a pure anti-gel. I would not mix additives. PowerService is good stuff, but I still wouldn't mix. Or, just use the PowerService winter stuff for your short cold season and the Schaeffer's for the rest of the year.

Ken

toyvwbenz · Feb 1, 2004

Is there any truth to the rumor that Soyshield is simply B100?

Ken2 · Feb 1, 2004

quote:

Originally posted by toyvwbenz:
Is there any truth to the rumor that Soyshield is simply B100?

None.

Here's the SoyShield MSDS
http://www.schaefferoil.com/msds/139.html
The 50% Methyl Soyate is the active ingredient produced from soy.

Frankly, SoyShield works as well as Diesel Treat 2000, costs more, and sells well to farm folks who want to support other farm folks.

Ken

toyvwbenz · Feb 1, 2004

OK, I'm a little confused. Are you saying that Soyshield is just B50 with some other components?

Please break it down for me. I'm looking to minimize soot production in my VW TDI and MB IDI, in addition to improving the lubricity of diesel.

Ken2 · Feb 2, 2004

No.

B100 is pure biodiesel fuel. B50 is 50% biodiesel fuel and 50% conventional diesel fuel. Biodiesel is a fuel, not a fuel additive. The methyl soyate is not biodiesel fuel.

"Biodiesel is defined as the mono-alkyl esters of fatty acids derived from vegetable oils or animal fats. In simple terms, biodiesel is the product you get when a vegetable oil or animal fat is chemically reacted with an alcohol to produce a new compound that is known as a fatty acid alkyl ester."
http://www.me.iastate.edu/biodiesel/Pages/biodiesel1.html

The methyl soyate used in Soyshield is the solvent grade: "What is methyl soyate? Methyl soyate is also known as fatty acid methyl esters, soybean oil methyl esters and soy methyl ester. It is made by the esterification of soybean oil. Soy oil is heated and reacted with methanol in the presence of a catalyst. The reaction causes the separation of soy oil into methyl ester and glycerine. Following the separation, the glycerine goes to storage where it will eventually be shipped to processors utilizing it in cosmetics and health aids. The methyl ester goes through a water-wash process, water adheres to any impurities, causing the impurities to be filtered from the methyl ester. The methyl ester is then dried through a vacuum drying system."
http://www.vertecbiosolvents.com/html/articles_9.html

Either Schaeffer's SoyShield or Diesel Treat 2000 will work very well for you, and both are available in small bottles. The Diesel Treat works equally well as the SoyShield for lower cost.

Ken

Shannow · Feb 2, 2004

Ken, that description sounds just like the methyl ester of soy bean oil.......also known as biodiesel.

50% concentration of which gives you B50. Albeit of a highly regular nature.

Ken2 · Feb 2, 2004

I know. I think the additional processing steps makes the difference between methyl soyate fuel and methyl soyate solvent. An ounce or two of biodiesel fuel in a car diesel tank will not do the job of the same amount of SoyShield.

Ken

Shannow · Feb 3, 2004

Ken,
all that's different to a home made batch of biodiesel is the vaccuum drying stage, something that most home manufacturers can't do.

SoyShield Diesel Treatment

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