Originally Posted by Burky

That seems to be a similar device, though the specific one I know of is the F.A.S.S. Fuel Air Separator System, which is available on the Pittsburgh Diesel site. And let me be clear, I haven't used one myself, and can't make any first hand claims. I do know of someone that I trust who is running one and has seen some reasonable improvements, and is testing it in a reasonably solid manner. He, and the manufacturer don't make any outrageous claims, and he has no reason not to be honest about his experiences with it. In fact, he also spent the money and tried out a Turbo 3000, and has detailed his experiences with it as well. he's not a dealer, but a fellow driver, and one of the few who's word I would trust on his results, good or bad.

I haven't had one myself, but it is the one device that I believe I may use in the future. mi still have some questions about it and will be doing some more research before ever putting one on a truck, but it is currently the only thing I can imagine putting in my fuel system. None of the other things on the market I have ever seen make any sense to me, but at least this one I can understand. Now it's just a matter of if it works as well as it is supposed to.

I don't discount a thing you offer, and rather than to get into a debate over it, I will simply offer that I am completely dubious of any product that claims to improve fuel mileage to any degree. One of the biggest reasons why I state this, is much like what someone else offered in this thread.

If the darn things actually worked, the engine manufacturers would install them, and or endorse them. They might actually buy out the manufacturers to hold right to the patent on them. Why? Because any one engine company that could clearly separate themselves from the pack as one that is more fuel efficient, would sell more engines.

I'm just more inclined to go with the findings of the FTC on this issue. They have tested many products, and not one to date, has EVER proven itself to offset any cost of the product against the realized savings, when the life expectancy of the product is folded into the equasion.

I read an article one time, and have tried in vain to find reference to it, that suggested that a scientific study was performed, and exposed the fact that people who buy fuel saving products, subliminally change their driving habits that tend to waste fuel, which accounts for the actual savings that they "discover". In other words, They back off the gas pedal. They WANT to save fuel.

Let me give you another example of something I discovered just this past month. I had a fuel filter clog up on my truck. I pulled into one of those Pilot Service Centers, and had it changed. The company supplies me with a fuel filter. He took one look at the filter, and informed me that is was the incorrect one for my filtration system. He stated it would work, but that the one I had was designed for Hydraulic filtration. I needed one that was baffled, to allow the free flow of fuel through it all times.

Long story short, I bought one from them, and my fuel mileage went up, and has consistently remained up for six weeks, TWO TENTHS of a mile per gallon. Between the savings from the APU and the better filter, I am now running a respectable 7.1 mpg on my Freightliner Columbia with a Mercedes Detroit.

Pre APU and with the improper filter? 6.2 was the best I saw. My average over six months was 6.0

Originally Posted by Duckie

Not to sound like a jerk but a company's age has nothing to do with the fact they sell crap or not. Like I said good luck with it and if it actually works I want to know.

I was just bringing this up because you mentioned that these type of devices come out of the woodwork when the fuel prices creep up. I did do some research before I plunked my money down. No offense taken on either of our parts, I hope!

I don't think my driving habits could change much. I was "stuck" in company trucks for a long time that were governed anywhere from 60-65. This helped me to realize that 70 isn't all that much faster. It may save you 5-10 minutes in perfect all green light conditions.

I keep at speed limit in most cases, or 5 over in the 55 zones like I-285 around Atlanta. I usually make 3 stops a day, so there's some city driving mixed in.

If I slow down any more to save fuel, I may get run over in Atlanta traffic!

Originally Posted by BearGator56

I was just bringing this up because you mentioned that these type of devices come out of the woodwork when the fuel prices creep up. I did do some research before I plunked my money down. No offense taken on either of our parts, I hope!

Absolutely no problem at all. And I am sorry if I came across in any manner that would suggest that I consider you foolish. I think that this thread exemplifies the fact that it is entirely possible for people holding contrasting opinions, CAN discuss these kind of things on a rational level and with mutual respect. Through this kind of intereaction, we all learn.

The higher petroleum prices climb, the more likely that not only will there be many of these products that will hit the market, the more likely that people will give them a try. I'm not likely to be one of them, for the reasons that I have outlined in my posts.

As someone noted in the thread, if people are willing to purchase these kinds of products, and it doesn't stretch their budgets to check out something for themselves, that's their choice and who am I to trample on that?

What bothers me though, are that there are so many products out there that clearly are worthless, and so many working stiffs have been parted with money that could have went for better uses.

And Burky, whom I immensely respect, is willing to give one or more of them the old college try, and that's okay too. When he does, he'll know more than I ever will about the validity of the product that he choses to buy.

Back in the the late seventies, I worked as a mechanic for a number of years on the side, and I saw car after car start coming to me with those "Water Injecting Systems" installed on them. The premise under which they were sold, was that by adding a little mist of water into the carburetor, the car would run smoother and of course, get enhanced gas mileage. They were worthless, and they absolutely damaged engines.

"Have you ever noticed how your car seems to run better on a rainy day? Our system will make your car run like a sewing machine every time you start it up...."

That was my first exposure to one of those products, and the type of marketing strategies that are used to sell them. It's kind of stuck with me over all these years, and it was the basis for much of my doubt, along with other research I have done more recently.

Originally Posted by Joethemechanic

If I remember correctly the article was about a company in Western PA that was hot rodding trucks.

If you are operating a performance engine with the compression jacked up the limits of the fuel you are using it would make sence to use a water injection set up under certain situations to keep the parts from melting...

Several years ago I watched a paid advertising on cable (3 am with insomnia), they were making a sales pitch about an oil aditive that goes into the lube oil. One of the "tests" they showed was with a big block performance engine. With the engine on an engine dyno they ran it up to get the readings then after draining the oil out of the crank case they got an extra 25 hp...Got a good laugh out of that because they were saying the additive gave the boost...Want to bet that the oil pump on that engine uses 25 horses to operate? Also they did not show the engine running after that last test...Wonder what the crank looked like...

Let me state for the record how enjoyable it is to be able to get into a professional disagreement that doesn't include long questionable court citations, extensive use of capital letters, name calling, or the need for anyone to get banned from the board. Readers take note of this one, because this is how it's supposed to happen.