Cetane Fuel Addative

[Bob Nelson]

I have a 2015 Diesel 2500 4x4 Auto,what are the feelings about adding a Cetane fuel additive on each or every other fill up. Any advantages or disadvantages either way, Thanks for your opinions

 

[Newsa]

Been using Stanadyne. Seems to work great.

 

[sag2]

You should not need any additives at all. Clean #2 diesel and proper filter changes are much more important.

 

[Newsa]

You should not need any additives at all. Clean #2 diesel and proper filter changes are much more important.

Yes, it's not needed. But I read an article that said that it helps start combustion in cylinder a bit earlier giving a more complete burn. I belieive the long stroke of the CTD also gives it more time to burn. Ideally the combustion that happens early in the stroke applies max torque to the crankshaft

 

[sag2]

Ideally the combustion that happens early in the stroke applies max torque to the crankshaft

Actually it is the combustion that occurs ATDC that contributes most to torque.

 

[Newsa]

Agreed. Immediately after TDC up to when the the crackshaft is at 90 to the piston rod. But timing on gas engines will spark the fuel mix before TDC. The burn takes a few fractions of a second.

 

[Newsa]

^ 90 degrees

 

[RustyJC]

Yep, any burn prior to TDC is generating negative horsepower. The only reason to start the injection process prior to TDC is to allow for the burn time to produce peak pressure at the optimum crank angle (known in the engine design world as Peak Pressure Angle, or PPA.)

Rusty

 

[Newsa]

I use the cetane booster because i beleive it helps produce more burn during that time when torque on the crank shaft is optimal. But i have no proof of it. What i did notice (using the Stanadyne) was less "dieseling" after turnimg off the ignition key. To me that is an indication that there are fewer unburned hydrocarbons in the cylinder(s). And i would guess that's because it burned when it was supposed to.
In truth, it is opinion whether there is a benefit to using a cetane booster unless you keep extremely accurate fuel mileage records over time.

There was a guy who accidentally put 6 gallons of gasoline (story someone posted on TDR 2 years ago) in his diesel tank. He called his dealer to see what he should do. When he realized the mistake, he didn't want to start his engine. The dealer said "fill it the rest of the way with diesel, and drive it".
He did that, and he said he got improved fuel mileage and seemingly improved power up hills.
I believe the gasoline was acting as a cetane booster.

 

[Tuesdak]

You should not need any additives at all. Clean #2 diesel and proper filter changes are much more important.

Ask Oldsmobile how the "clean diesel fuel" assumption worked for them. It's didn't because there is no such thing in the USA. Meeting minimum lubrication requirements with ULSD... Refiners and el-cheapo stations sometimes don't even meet that standard. Costs profit to do so you know. IMO lube additives are more important than cetane. Better filters and water separators are even more important.

Premium Diesel is marketed to have things like better cetane.

You can hear cetane differences as different knock intensity if the conditions are right. For example running the edge of timing on a grade my 6.6 Duramax would ping as things got hot and timing was too far advanced as ignition delay went down with increased temperatures and no ECM logic to correct for this. (high intake temp/load timing retard needed.) Biodiesel would increase this knock due to higher cetane.

Gasoline will stall a diesel engine. In low concentrations it can quickly wash the rings clean out of the engine like it did here:
https://www.turbodieselregister.com/threads/252971-1992-6-5TD-Rescue

Drain and throw away any contaminated fuel. Gasoline, water, whatever. The $100 tank of junk can take out your injection system and complete engine. $100 saved ruins $10,000 of stuff

 

[Newsa]

If i'm not mistaken, Stanadyne puts excellent lubricity modifiers in their additives. The make fuel systems. That's why i chose their stuff

 

[The patriot]

I think I saw somewhere that cetane is more a concern in the cold weather than warm.
I would also be looking into a lube additive.
Stanadyne is a good name.
Amalgamated is also good stuff from what I hear.

 

[Tuesdak]

You may find this interesting:
SPICER Lubricity Additive Study Results
http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/76.../177728-lubricity-additive-study-results.html

 

[JohnCW]

Been using Stanadyne. Seems to work great.

That's what I have used for 19 years.
Never had a fuel system problem. It most definitely works for extreme cold. Montana and ( barf ) New York winter.
I use the Performance Stanadyne .