Does Cetane effect timing ?

[CRiggan]

If an increase in cetane equates to a decrease in ignition delay of fuel,

Could it be possible to experience more timing rattle when running cetane additives when running a programmer such as a smarty with timing added?

In other words, what I understand about diesel fuel is that the higher the cetane number = the less resistance the fuel is to start burning.

Any thougts??

 

[MAllen1]

Yes. Look at it this way, cetane to diesel fuel is like octane is to a gasser, but they work in opposite directions as the numbers go up. Diesel fuel is naturally resistant to combustion, comparitave to gasoline. That why we put things in to help burn the fuel more completely (cetane). As far as the programmer, work the cetane to what your truck likes.

 

[DCreed]

I noticed they dont mark the pumps anymore ,how can you tell what the cetane is?

 

[nickleinonen]

up here in canada, the "minimun" is suppose to be 42. i stopped by a fuel injection pump repair shop [saw their sign and popped in to see what they do] and the guy there said that he has seen as low as 38 on tests. . i run "premium" diesel most of the time [hey, same price as normal #2] and it is suppose to have 50 pts.

if you want a solid answer, get a sample and have it sent to a lab that can burn fuel oil samples

 

[CRiggan]

Thanks,

The cetane at the hess fuel station where I get my fuel is 45. I use either stanadyne performance formula or diesel aid +cetane at each fill up.

 

[MAllen1]

Around here in Georgia, the general rule of thumb is the average cetane is 40 with premium being 45. I use a cetane improver because a lot of the time I don't have the time to drive a 60 mile round trip to get to the closest Hess station that sells 45.