Cetane boost

[wulimaster]

I tried to find the appropriate forum to get the diesel users and this was the closest match.

I read that the U.S. has diesel fuel at the pumps with a cetane rating of between 38 and 42. I also read that the mid sized diesels (powerstroke,cummins,duramax) require a cetane rating of at least 45 while small car(volkswagon) diesels require 50 minimum. What do you guys do for your vehicles? I find my powerstroke runs much better and with less white smoke when I bump the cetane up another 3-6 points. How about those of you running volkswagons?

I plan to run power service with the cetane boost dosage of +3 and add Amsoil cetane boost to get it up a little higher, another +3.

 

[Quick_lude]

I've used Stanadyne and Amsoil, seperatly. That's all I can find up here in Canada.

The engine definitely feels more powerful but I don't see much in fuel economy gains.

Fuel Power makes my engine run much quieter and smoother also.

 

[1sttruck]

I use Stanadyne in my Cummins. Although Cummins doesn't endorse any additives they have stated that they're needed in some cases and to choose carefully. Stanadyne seems to be the only (?) diesel fuel additive with any OEM endorsements, and I've heard that they make the Ford DFA.

 

[Bill Plock]

quote:

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Originally posted by wulimaster:
… I also read that the mid sized diesels (powerstroke,cummins,duramax) require a cetane rating of at least 45 while small car(volkswagon) diesels require 50 minimum… What do you guys do for your vehicles?.

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I have been using a double dose of Stanadyne Performance Formula (double for added lubricity) along with a few oz of FPPF injector cleaner in my 03 LB7 Duramax and also notice the engine runs smoother and quieter. Recently I switched to single doses of Stanadyne Lubricity additive and Performance Formula with the same results.

Reagrding cetane levels, here is summary of diesel fuel test results (performed by AVLube) which includes Cetane data from fuel samples taken around the country. Cetane values ranged from 46 to 52.

Duramax Fuel Test Results

This data comes from a number fellow Duramax Diesel owners (at TheDieselPage.com) who had their fuel tested after adding additional fuel filters. The tests were primarily performed to get ISO particle count data after adding secondary fuel filters. However, I also added the cetane numbers when people reported them. It’s interesting to note that this type of fuel test does not indicate the effects of cetane boost or water emulsifier/demuulsifier additives (per George Morrison at AVLube). So, the data would indicate a sample of cetane levels for untreated fuels.

In addition to Cetane rating, it's interesting to note that Lubricity and cleanliness are also important for the newer HPCR (High Pressure Common Rail) injection systems that run 23000 PSI (and higher).

See the following links…

Diesel Fuel Lubricity Requirements for Light Duty Fuel Injection Equipment

Fuel Quality – Joint Statement

[ May 25, 2005, 07:41 AM: Message edited by: Bill Plock ]

 

[Old Guy]

I've run FPPF "Total Power" since the truck (Duramax Diesel engine) was new. It's a mix of cetane boost-injector cleaner-anti gel-lubricity additive. I do notice the difference when running winter fuel. There is more power and I attribute this to the cetane boost in the additive. As far as running summer fuel I can't really say one way or the other if there is a difference. Obviously there is only a fraction of cetane boost in the mixed additive(Total Power) and this is why I am considering running FPPF 8+ Cetane Improver as a stand alone additive or mixture of the two products.

 

[Rebel Rouser]

I'm fortunate enough to have Amoco Priemier diesel fuel available locally, and run that primarily in the winter months. It's cetane rating is minimum 50.
I rarely use the block heater on the Dodge CTD, and it has reliably started in winter with only one cycle of the intake grid heaters using this fuel. It's also does not need to be winterized by mixing a blend of #1 with it, so winter MPG is usually close to summertime MPG.

The only other diesel fuel similar to this that I've found is from Flinthill resources, AKA Koch. They offer a "Gold" fuel during summer, and "Arctic" during winter months. I don't believe the cetane rating is as high as Amoco, but it's in the upper 40's. They also claim the use of aftermarket additives is not needed with their fuel.

www.premiumdiesel.com

When buying regular diesel, I use Schaeffer's Soyshield additive. A little bit goes a long way.

Unlike gasoline's octane ratings, rarely do you see diesel's cetane ratings posted at the pump.

 

[Quick_lude]

Up here in Canada we have Sunoco Gold diesel but it's more expensive. For me, since my fuel economy is in the 16-17L/100km range,

it's more economical to use a cetane additive over paying .06 extra for the better fuel.

Has anyone heard or used Racor?

 

[salesrep]

I run across racor from time to time. I don't have any real exp. with the product , but the co. seems solid.

 

[Quick_lude]

Just put it in my tank.. Interestingly it smells exactly like Amsoil cetane boost additive..

Stanadyne smelled different.
Curious if it will do anything for my fuel economy.

 

[salesrep]

Rebel Rouser

The only other diesel fuel similar to this that I've found is from Flinthill resources, AKA Koch. They offer a "Gold" fuel during summer, and "Arctic" during winter months. I don't believe the cetane rating is as high as Amoco, but it's in the upper 40's. They also claim the use of aftermarket additives is not needed with their fuel.

www.premiumdiesel.com

You are right about the cetane in premier. 50. Flint hills aka Koch ( schaeffer's chemistry) is 46-48. VEry close to the chemistry in the 137 http://www.schaefferoil.com/datapdf/137.pdf
and 139http://www.schaefferoil.com/datapdf/139.pdf
B0th make #2 a premium.

 

[cit1991]

ASTM D975 lists 40 Cetane number as the minimum in the US. No major manufacturer sells diesels here that wont run on that.

I use Stanadyne at the recommended dosage.

 

[Vstrom]

Has anyone ever heard of the additives pulling lead out of the bearings? I've had 2 analysis now on a 96 PSD with high lead. No other metals are high. I religously run PowerService DieselKleen and have been told this may be the cause.

 

[GeorgeCLS]

The one issue with the minimum 40 cetane is that diesel fuel is not completely homogeneous. i.e. fuel will have some portions which may have a cetane of 46 while some (small) portion may be as low as 32 cetane. However, a cetane test will yield a cetane number of 40.. And the diesel engine will run just fine; not optimally, but will run without problems. What is taking place in the engine is that as the compression stroke begins and diesel is injected into the cylinder prior to top dead center, some of the lower cetane diesel will begin ignition. This pre-optimum ignition robs power, creates heat and significantly reduces the efficiency of the ultimate fuel air mixture burn. The real value of using a cetane boosting additive is to get 100% of the fuel at 40 cetane and above. With 100% of the fuel at 40+ cetane, pre-ignition is eliminated, providing significant fuel savings (or increased power) as we are now extracting 99.999%+ of the power from the fuel. Primrose 405C provides up to a 7 cetane boost, water emulsification (also called elimination!), detergency, rust prevention and microbial prevention all for slightly more than 1 cent a gallon treat cost... Depending on the engine, environment, etc. fuel savings can range from 3% to as high as 12%....
George Morrison, STLE CLS
AV Lubricants Inc.

 

[reyjay1]

quote:

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Originally posted by blano:
George, isnt the cetane index a measure of the fuels ease of combustion? In other words a 40 cetane fuel would be more flamable than a 32 cetane fuel.

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Not exactly, cetane is a rating of a liquids ability to resist ignition under compression, or something like that, normalized to pure cetane, just about the inverse of the analogy to octane rating.

How cetane rating is measured: googled:
It is the % volume of cetane ( n-hexadecane, Cetane Number = 100 ) in
alpha methyl naphthalene ( Cetane Number = 0 ), that provides the specified
standard of 13 degrees ( crankshaft angle ) ignition delay at the identical
compression ratio to that of the fuel sample. These days, heptamethyl
nonane - with a Cetane Number of 15 - is used in place of alpha methyl
naphthalene because it is a more stable reference compound.

 

[reyjay1]

ok I know I would say it wrong:
from further reading of http://yarchive.net/car/cetane_number.html

"It is measured in special ASTM variable compression ratio test engine
that is closely controlled with regard to temperatures ( coolant 100C,
intake air 65.6C ), injection pressure ( 1500psi ), injection timing 13 degrees
BTDC, and speed (900rpm ). The compression ratio is adjusted until
combustion occurs at TDC ( the ignition delay is 13 degrees ). The test
is then repeated with reference fuels with five cetane numbers difference,
until two of them have comporession ratios that bracket tthe sample.
The cetane number is then determined by interpolation, and the higher
the Cetane Number, the shorter the delay between injection and ignition.
Now, if the fuel is pure hydrocarbons ( does not contain cetane number
improving agents like alkyl or amyl nitrates ) then the cetace number
can be predicted fairly well using some physical properties, such as
boiling point and aniline point.

It's obvious from the above that the higher the cetane number ( 100 = normal
alkane, 15 = iso-alkane ), then the lower the octane number ( 100 = iso-alkane,
0 = normal alkane ). This is because the desirable property of gasoline to
prevent knock is the ability to resist autoignition, whereas for diesel, the
desirable property is to autoignite. The octane number of normal alkanes
decreases as carbon chain length increases, whereas the cetane number
increases as the carbon chain length increases. Many other factors also
affect the cetane number, and around 0.5 volume % of cetane number
improvers will increase the cetane number by 10 units. Cetane number
improvers can be alkyl nitrates, primary amyl nitrates, nitrites, or peroxides."

 

[blano]

George, isnt the cetane index a measure of the fuels ease of combustion? In other words a 40 cetane fuel would be more flamable than a 32 cetane fuel.