DIESEL CETANE RATINGS

[jdog]

I have read that Cetane ratings for diesel fuel should be at 45 or higher. Most available diesel fuels are at 40 Cetane. Miniumum California Cetane diesel fuels are required to be at least 50.What do you guys know about Diesesl Cetane ratings? Does Cetane booster need to be add to the fuel?

[GoPackGo]

The feds mandate a minimum cetane level for diesel fuel that is sold in the US of A and all diesel engine manufacturers that sell vehicles here know what it is and build their engines to run on it. So you do not need to worry about running into fuel you can't use.

Just about every diesel additive you will find will state that it improves the cetane level. The question is 'How much ?'. I'm guessing it's barely measurable. I also run the Ford additive (PM22A), but I do that to improve the lubricity of the fuel.

Do not confuse cetane improvement with lubricity improvement or with fuel gelling up in cold weather. Those are 3 entirely separate issues with 3 different solutions. And Bio-diesel is a whole different kettle of fish.

[Airstreamer67]

The only thing I have against biodiesel is storage. Since it tends to attract and hold more water, it is more prone to the growth of microbes. Also, it tends to spoil faster. So, for those of us who might not travel as often and thus tend to store our fuel longer, biodiesel has some disadvantages.

[John___Angela]

You are right about the biodiesel making our little smarties run quieter. Re the cetane booster: we use the ford brand and I am not sure if they use and lubricants. I'll check it out. Cheers.

[JaxDad]

John & Angela wrote:

wintersun wrote:
Cetane ratings for diesel is much higher in Europe and I would consider an additive for a car imported into the states. The US manufacturers know about the fuel available in this country and engineer their engines accordingly.

The newer the truck, as in post 2010 the less I would worry about additives. Not that the additive companies are above using scare tactics to sell more product.

Totally agree. Our 7.3 powerstroke showed no difference with and without Cetane. Our little smart car diesels run much quieter and smoother with the cetane additive. Our cummins 8.3 also runs no different although I only tried it once.

I think you'll find the difference is the lubricity additives in whatever it is you're adding, not the increased cetane.

That's why people say that biodiesel makes their diesels run so much quieter. Similarly, for years people have added a couple of ounces per tankful of automatic transmission fluid, two-stroke oil or even just motor oil.

The most common chemical used by far to boost cetane is 2-Ethyl Hexyl Nitrate, the other items mentioned above are there as dispersants, cleaners or to treat and break up paraffin.

[ol_Bombero-JC]

2oldman wrote:
Nothing more than what I could look up on my own.

Did you look up -

DIESEL CETANE RATINGS or

Diesel cetane ratings?

(Can you hear me now?)..:@

.

[John___Angela]

wintersun wrote:
Cetane ratings for diesel is much higher in Europe and I would consider an additive for a car imported into the states. The US manufacturers know about the fuel available in this country and engineer their engines accordingly.

The newer the truck, as in post 2010 the less I would worry about additives. Not that the additive companies are above using scare tactics to sell more product.

Totally agree. Our 7.3 powerstroke showed no difference with and without Cetane. Our little smart car diesels run much quieter and smoother with the cetane additive. Our cummins 8.3 also runs no different although I only tried it once.

[wintersun]

Cetane ratings for diesel is much higher in Europe and I would consider an additive for a car imported into the states. The US manufacturers know about the fuel available in this country and engineer their engines accordingly.

The newer the truck, as in post 2010 the less I would worry about additives. Not that the additive companies are above using scare tactics to sell more product.

[calewjohnson]

Below is a good article from Diesel Power Magazine.

Clicky

Cale

[campigloo]

jdog wrote:
Ford sells a FORD or Motorcraft brand Cetane booster additive at their parts counter. What is up with that?

I used that when towing when I had my 2000 7.3. Never could tell much difference in any aspect of the towing, noise or fuel economy.

[jdog]

Ford sells a FORD or Motorcraft brand Cetane booster additive at their parts counter. What is up with that?

[Caveman_Charlie]

wcjeep wrote:
Unless you are going to Alaska or Canada I wouldn't worry about cetane,#1 or #2 diesel. Find station with high volume sales and clean filters.

I may be reading wcjeep's post wrong but, here in MN you had better be running a #1 blended fuel in the winter or your going to Jell up. (That might be spelled Gell up, I'm not sure.)

[Caveman_Charlie]

I would be very careful adding anything to the fuel on one of these newer computer controlled engines. You could cause a check engine light to come on. If you have questions talk to the diesel mechanic at your dealer. (Even putting the wrong oil in them can cause major issues.)

[ksbowman]

After reading a lot of info on the low sulfer diesel I started adding one ounce per gallon of TW-3 two stroke oil at each fill up. It is easier on injectors and quiets the engine and produces no ash. I buy mine at Walmart in gallon containers. I'm very happy with it. Got this info off the Dodge Cummins site and read reports on the use of it.

[Javi1]

Here in Texas we're forced to buy mostly Bio-Diesel 10% to 20% at the pumps, and yes I do run an additive and yes it does give me better fuel economy and a quieter running engine. In fact it can be a very noticeable difference from station to station.