Based on the experience of our European dealers with medium speed engine populations, the F7450 is a specifc purpose additive for large engines using HFO. As stated to improve combustion and reduce deposits, the fact it has improved fuel consumption is not typical of most additives, but in this particular market segment, there is lots of room for improvement. If it isn't going up the stack as black smoke, then it is probably making more power from the available fuel volume injected.
Not every additive is "snake oil", but without solid test data in a broad range of applications, most aftermarket fuel additives sold, especially in the US, don't usually live up to the claims made. Proof of performance improvement is usually difficult quantify, you may pour a bottle of magic juice into a tank and get a short term gain, or the benefits may be long term from such actions as cleaning/deposit removal. But how is it affecting the service life of components, combustion temperatures, or emissions?
When Spacetrukin started this thread, he repeated a series of claims that are basically counter to most combustion basics. If it improves fuel comsumption, it likely lowers particulates and CO, but increases NOx. How does a product that improves combustion also improve lubrication? Just about anything that reduces surface friction has poor combustion properties.
Are there additives that do what they claim? Absolutely. Are there additive marketers overstating claims on some products? Absolutely. So look at the claims, look at the available test data (if any), and make an informed decision. But right now the major engine manufacturers are facing a BIG problem, the required reductions in emissions have had a measurable negative affect on fuel consumption, so if there was a way to make emissions and fuel consumption we would be hearing about it, because no one in our business likes getting the current customer complaints. This is a ripe environment for those with claims of magic to sell a lot of product with no real possiblity of actual improvement.
Sorry to have this sound like a rant. This morning we had a group of trucking customers in discussing this very issue, and later today we will be discussing this with a group of marine engine customers. We have machinery customers required to reduce visable emissions from job sites, and the additive marketers are out in full force with lots of claims, and to date, no real solutions except in a few cases.
Hope that helps.
