Diesel Kleen plus Cetane Boost Recommended?

[cooperns1943]

I used the additive Power Service Diesel Kleen plus Cetane Boost in the 2005 Ram w/5.9L engine and now have a new 2015 Ram w/6.7 L engine. Is the Diesel Kleen plus Cetane Boost recommended for this late model?

 

[Bill Stockard]

I used the additive Power Service Diesel Kleen plus Cetane Boost in the 2005 Ram w/5.9L engine and now have a new 2015 Ram w/6.7 L engine. Is the Diesel Kleen plus Cetane Boost recommended for this late model?

According to the bottle, it is compatible with on-highway engines manufactured after 2007. I previously added it to the fuel in non-emission engine tractors, but I don't use it in my new Tier 4 (EGR, DPF) engine tractor. I use only pre-filtered off-road non-bio No. 2 ULSD fuel.

Bill

 

[mwilson]

I would be less inclined to use additives with DPF equipped units.

 

[Hoefler]

The last time I even used any kind of fuel treatment, was in my 05. I never added anything but clean fresh fuel to my 08, 10, or my 14. Never had an issue, the fuel just doesn't seem to last very long.

 

[crispyboy]

Over the past year I started to use Stanadyne Performance fuel additive. Mileage is no different but he injectors are more quiet when the engine is cold and it starts quicker both cold and hot. After my turbo problems last year I guess that I am just crossing my fingers that this additive helps to cut down a bit on the soot.
That's my story and I'm sticking to it!

 

[AH64ID]

Unless you do a lot of low temp, low speed, and low load driving the Cetane isn't needed nor does it do any good (any will generally decrease fuel economy).

I think a diesel cleaner/conditioner/lubricity additive is still a good idea, as nothing on the new trucks is any better in that regard than it was in 2005.

 

[crispyboy]

Unless you do a lot of low temp, low speed, and low load driving the Cetane isn't needed nor does it do any good (any will generally decrease fuel economy).

I think a diesel cleaner/conditioner/lubricity additive is still a good idea, as nothing on the new trucks is any better in that regard than it was in 2005.

I used to run the Stanadyne when we owned a VW Jetta TDI and it improved mileage usually by 2 mpg. I have never heard that about the Cetane levels improving only low speed operation. Around here most pumps are labeled 40 Cetane.

 

[AH64ID]

Cetane is a combustion improver, but it also creates lower peak pressure. So it lights better, but doesn't make as much power.

Cetane also reduces the available BTU's from the fuel.

 

[Killgore]

Ouch! I just learned something there. Thanks, John.
- Ed

 

[AH64ID]

I will use Cetane on occasion, as it does improve cold starting (in fact I should have had some in my fuel last weekend... -13°F in the mountains with 4 chains on and parked near a Yurt)...

But I only use it on tanks where I want the low load/cold temp improvement.

 

[crispyboy]

Cetane is a combustion improver, but it also creates lower peak pressure. So it lights better, but doesn't make as much power.

Cetane also reduces the available BTU's from the fuel.

From a common sense view these statements seem contradictory.
If the higher cetane number leads to quicker ignition and a more complete burn of the fuel in the combustion chamber how in the world would it have less BTU's? If your burning more of the fuel that is injected common sense tells me your going to get more BTU's and more efficiency.
From what I have read on the subject adding cetane (per the instruction of the additive) makes the engine quieter because the lag time of the fuel ignition is shortened. This is somewhat akin to a higher grade of gasoline burning faster - no spark knock.
The other benefit claim of higher cetane is less particulates going down the exhaust pipe. This was my main reason for using the additive as in keeping a few grams less soot going into the turbo and dpf. I have been down the turbo and dpf replacement route last year - hence I am trying something different. I guess in another 45k miles I will know if the experiment has worked (the 1st turbo and dpf lasted only 45k.)
Back when I drove the VW Jetta you could tell the difference when you punched the throttle. When I used the Stanadyne there was noticably less smoke coming out the tailpipe.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cetane_number

 

[AH64ID]

The ignition does happen quicker, and easier, but it doesn't produce the peak pressure and pressure is what drives the piston.

There is a chart from Chevron that shows BTU's in relation to Cetane of #2 fuel, as Cetane increases BTU's decrease. That is separate from the lower pressure, so you have 2 things lowering the power output. BTU's is the available energy, not the extracted energy.

I have seen dyno charts of with and without Cetane improver, this was on an older 2 tank truck and the runs were back to back. I don't recall the exact total power but the Cetane tank was approx 20hp lower.

The effect of Cetane on noise depends completely on tuning. A 7 point increase makes my truck knock like it's going out of style!!! A 3 point increase, all I do anymore when needed, doesn't change the sound one but.

 

[p-Bar]

how about throwing in a quart of transfluid?

 

[jacknife]

I have used Howes diesel additive for 35 yrs. In my semis and pickups . Unlike gas, diesel is a single source product . Meaning you will get the same diesel within a given area by one supplier . Not Shell diesel or Chevron diesel just diesel. Additives to diesel are worthwhile investments. Especially with Bio fuel that has a lower pour point ( meaning it will jell up at a higher ambient temp) Also helps with lubrication of the pump and injectors. lubrication additive is supposed to be added prior to distribution but who knows ?

 

[Regcabguy]

Unless you do a lot of low temp, low speed, and low load driving the Cetane isn't needed nor does it do any good (any will generally decrease fuel economy).

I think a diesel cleaner/conditioner/lubricity additive is still a good idea, as nothing on the new trucks is any better in that regard than it was in 2005.

How about Propel HPR's claimed 75 cetane?

 

[w6pea]

Uncle Ted aka Ted Nugget advertises for it so it can't be all bad, I've used it in a Freightliner that I drove that had a 3406 Cat engine and I used it in a Pete, and IH that both had Cummins motors in them. I never had any problems using Power Service Diesel Kleen products.

 

[SnoKing]

how about throwing in a quart of transfluid?

NO! Transfluid has fiction modifiers that are not good burning in fuel. OWT!!!! SNOKING

 

[AH64ID]

How about Propel HPR's claimed 75 cetane?

I didn't see a BTU rating on that fuel???

75 is VERY high and if it has a similar combustion rate to diesel would take a complete re-tune, IMHO.

 

[GDTurner]

IMPO, diesel fuel might have the same source (note the "might), but that does not mean equal quality. Diesel fuel quality is really dependent on many things other than source, particularly how old it is. My 2015 manual does not recommend any additives, though it does recommend a good source for fuel, and that includes a source that has good turnover to avoid old fuel. In my '03, I did mix Amsoil fuel additive along with 2 cycle oil (never would have use transmission fluid), but that was a vehicle designed to use sulfer desiel fuel as a lubricating additive, which is not available these days. I'm not saying I won't add an additive, maybe even cetane, as I still have some....I just won't do it regularly as I did on my previous truck that didn't have the emissions system that I have now. Not expert advice....Just my perspective.

 

[MN12valve]

Cetane is a combustion improver, but it also creates lower peak pressure. So it lights better, but doesn't make as much power.

Cetane also reduces the available BTU's from the fuel.

Cetane number is not a measure or indication of the heating value (BTU) of diesel fuel and has little if any affect on engine power output. The measure of diesel fuel heating value, or sometimes called energy content is API gravity. Typical #2 diesel fuels have about 35 API gravity. Lower than 35 API gravity the fuel would have higher heating value, higher than 35 API would mean lower heating value. Higher heating value fuels usually result in better fuel economy.
Cetane number as defined by ASTM is a measure of the auto-ignition characteristic of the fuel. It works something like this in a Diesel engine: when fuel is injected into the cylinder it must evaporate, mix with air, before burning and expansion of gases can occur. This process takes time (crank angle) and is produced by the heat of compression of air only. This is called heterogeneous combustion. Compare this to a spark ignition gasoline engine where air and fuel are introduced into the cylinder pre-mixed and are ignited by a spark plug. This is called homogeneous combustion. Therefore, a high cetane number would be a low octane number fuel. Cetane and octane are numerical ratings of the auto-ignition characterics of diesel fuel and gasoline respectively. They are basically opposite ends of a spectrum. Diesel engine manufacturers typically require 40-45 cetane fuel for their engines. ASTM D-975 is sometimes referenced. When diesel engine manufacturers discuss cetane number their concern is adequate cetane rating for satisfactory cold start ability.
Respectfully,