Frequently Asked Questions

When was SOLTRON® invented?

A team of Japanese scientists developed SOLTRON’S unique enzyme formula throughout the 1980’s and early 1990’s. Independent laboratory studies for efficacy and combustion performance were conducted in Australia and other countries between 1993 and 1995.

What makes SOLTRON® natural enzyme formula unique in the fuel additive industry?

SOLTRON’S mission is to improve the environment and human health by improving fuel efficiency, reducing toxic tailpipe emissions, and eliminating the use of toxic chemicals. As part of a responsible marketing practice, between 1995 and 1997, SOLTRON® was put through investigative emissions studies by different laboratories, including the Londonderry Occupational Safety Centre in Londonderry, NSW, (AU) to confirm SOLTRON’S effects on reducing toxic and carcinogenic compounds found in engine exhaust. After confirming the positive combustion performance and environmental health and safety benefits of using SOLTRON®, and upon receiving US EPA registration, SOLTRON® was launched in America in 1998.

In which types of fuels can SOLTRON® be used?

SOLTRON® has been laboratory tested and proven effective in all liquid transportation fuels including gasoline (and E-10 gasoline), diesel, biodiesel, marine diesel oil, and HFO/bunker fuels. SOLTRON® is also effective in kerosene heaters and home heating oil.

What is the difference between Soltron® , Xbee ®, and Startron ®?

All three brands utilize the identical enzymes and all are made at the same factory in Montgomery, Alabama. Different branding and packaging is used to accommodate marketing and distribution strategies, as well as applications in different industries and global regions. An Internet Marketer or Big Box chain retailer that sells to a million car owners, snowmobile enthusiasts, motorcyclists, or Lawn and Garden customers, needs small bottles that easily treat as little as five gallons of gasoline. A Fishing Supply Distributor serving the commercial tuna fishing industry needs bulk containers that can treat as much as 200,000 gallons of diesel fuel for a single boat.

What happens if I overdose my fuel?

Don’t worry, SOLTRON® is safe even if grossly overdosed. SOLTRON® uses a very small amount of harmless, organic enzymes to accomplish its many tasks. The only other ingredient is a highly purified aliphatic petroleum distillate similar to kerosene, which is used as a carrier solvent. There are no chemicals in SOLTRON® that can cause harm if overdosed, or react with sodium, a common fuel contaminant that is known to form damaging deposits in High Pressure Common Rail fuel injectors in the presence of acid-based, film-forming corrosion inhibitors.

Will using SOLTRON® void my OEM engine warranty?

No. SOLTRON® is registered with the US EPA under the “substantially similar” rule, (40 CFR 79.21) which means SOLTRON® is elementally similar to gasoline and diesel fuel, and is therefore allowed unrestricted use in commerce for on-road and off-road transportation motor fuels.

OEM’s state the type of fuel allowed in their engines; ie, Gasoline, E-10, #2 ULSD, Biodiesel, etc. These fuels must meet ASTM, or EN and ISO standards developed in conjunction with the OEM’s. Soltron® and its “sister” brands have been extensively tested by independent laboratories to assure that all treated fuels remain within these specifications.

Engine manufactures typically state in their Owner’s manuals or warranty statements that they do not test or approve other manufacturer’s fuel additives, and the use of another manufacturer’s fuel additive will not affect their warranty unless it is shown that the fuel additive caused damage to the engine. This is why SOLTRON’S unique, chemical-free, metal-free, natural enzyme formula is the preferred choice for all engines, new or old.

Can SOLTRON® be mixed with other fuel additives?

Yes. Although there are hundreds of aftermarket fuel additives in the marketplace, the vast majority of them use the same basic chemical additives used by refineries. SOLTRON® has been used for more than 20 years in every fuel brand in the United States, as well in more than 40 countries, without ever having seen any negative interaction between our enzymes and chemical additives. SOLTRON® is a multi-functional fuel additive, and under most circumstances, it is not necessary to use other fuel additives. SOLTRON® is not an anti-gel additive, and in cases of extreme cold, SOLTRON® has been shown to be compatible with anti-gel additives.

What is the dose rate for SOLTRON®?

SOLTRON® is used at the rate of 1 part to 4,000 parts of fuel. That is equivalent to 1oz. of SOLTRON® per 30 gallons of fuel. SOLTRON® is safe even if grossly overdosed.

When fuel is to be stored for three months or longer, use a double-dose, or one part SOLTRON® to 2,000 parts of fuel. Always use fresh fuel when preparing for seasonal or long-term storage.

For recovery instructions of old or contaminated fuel, click here: Fuel Recovery Instructions

FUEL RECOVERY INSTRUCTIONS
SOLTRON’S unique enzyme formula can purify and rejuvenate old, oxidized, and heavily contaminated diesel fuel. As gums and sludge are broken down to smaller sizes, some of the sludge particles will be small enough to pass through filters and safely be combusted, as will microscopic water droplets. Larger matter will be dispersed and trapped in the fuel filters during fuel draws. The level of time necessary to fully clean a tank and its fuel depends on the level of sludge in the tank, as well as the frequency of fuel turnover.

Whenever possible, the tank(s) should first be drained from the bottom to remove as much water and sludge as possible. If the tank does not have a drain port below the standpipe, it is best to use a pump and suction hose to remove water bottoms through the filling port. Depending on the size and design of the tank and accessibility, a dipstick with water-detecting paste can be used to monitor the level of water bottoms. Once the bulk of the water has been removed and a layer of predominantly fuel is reached (dirty fuel is expected) the recovery process can begin.

Add SOLTRON® to the fuel tank(s) at the rate of 1 gallon per 2,000 gallons of fuel. This can be splash-dosed through a top fill port. The fuel then must be re-circulated to thoroughly mix the enzyme into the fuel. The minimum mix time is one full turnover of fuel. Example: If the tank holds 10,000 gallons, and the recirculation pump rate is 1,000 gallons per hour, the fuel should be circulated for 10 hours.
After the pump is turned off, allow the fuel to sit for 24 hours, then drain (or pump out) bottoms again. This will yield more water, and generally, a lot of sludge. The recovered fuel will be clear and bright, and combustion characteristics will be improved or completely restored. As it is impossible to fully drain bottoms from any tank, further treatment with SOLTRON® at the rate of 1 gallon per 4,000 gallons of newly added fuel is necessary to completely remove all water and any remaining contamination from the fuel tank. The fuel is usable at this point in boilers and most engines. If recovered fuel is to be used in a Tier 4 engine, we recommend a secondary filtration stage using a minimum four-micron filter be added to the cleaning regimen to remove small particles, especially, the harmful inorganic matter (dirt and rust) that is always present in contaminated fuel.

Keep in mind that SOLTRON® will only affect sludge on the fuel tank walls where the treated fuel makes contact. It is common to find further sludge in the filters after filling the tank with fresh fuel if it is above the initial level encountered during the treatment. It can take several tank-fills to completely clean out a fuel tank, depending upon how badly fouled the tank is initially