I need your help with a simple experiment...

[tonydca]

I'm noticing something (in a potentially good way) with fuelling up lately, and I'm wondering if anyone else can try what I did to see if what I am seeing is a fluke.

I posted it in L400 Technical, but should be just as applicable to any of the diesels out here.

First a bit of background...

***************

I'm starting in on my third winter with my L400, and each year around this time, I notice that my fuel economy takes a bit of a drop; in the order of around 8-10%. Come springtime, back up she goes.

I'm thinking that the stations are switching over to a more winter blend of diesel, and perhaps something in the mix (ethanol, ???) is making fuel economy suffer. I always fill up at the same Shell station here on Main & 2nd in Vancouver, and I'm pretty confident that my fuelling method and driving style aren't changing much from fill to fill.

After looking up more ways to keep my IP happy on ULSD fuel (unrelated to my winter fuel economy - I use Howes additive), I decided to try adding 1/3 of a litre of outboard 2-stroke oil per fillup. A study I linked to in a previous post says that this is supposed to be good stuff for lubricating the system, and it only adds about $1 to the cost of a fillup.

Lo and behold, my fuel economy went back up to summer standards. As in saving me an equivalent of almost $10 worth of fuel on a fillup.

So I tried a second time. Same thing - great fuel economy.

So I ran the tank pretty low and filled up with just my usual Howes additive. Phhfft! - 10% fuel economy drop.

Back in the oil has gone again, and I seem to be back on track to my summer fuel economy. Hmm.....

********

So if anyone else out there is running on regular old DinoDiesel and is willing to give it a try, I'd be curious if they get similar results. By my calcs, it'll save me $100 in fuel costs this winter, as well as being good for my IP. Win-win!

The stuff I bought is Canadian Tire "Motomaster Outboard Engine Oil" part # 28-1777-2. It costs around $5-6 for a litre container, and I add 1/3 of the container on a good fillup (around 60L or more). Doesn't cause noticeable smoke, generally no downside to speak of that I can see, and a possibly significant cost savings.

I'll keep doing what I'm doing for now, but if anyone else can give it a try, I'd love to know how you make out.

[jessef]

I've been an advocate for 2-stroke additive since the 90's in our mazda pu. It works and our engines love it.

[tonydca]

The IP lubrication was what I was after, it's just the apparent serious winter fuel economy boost that comes totally unexpected.

That's why I'd like to see if others can duplicate it.

[davidwwc]

Oh Yes . I feel the same with my L400 in this cold weather too. the drop is also about 10%. I definetly will try the outboard oil as it seems to be working good . So this will replace the filling of the diesel additive one is using ,right? ( or this is a stupid question ? :- sorry if it does )

Thanks for the info.Tony and Jesse
Cheers,
DC

[tonydca]

Oh Yes . I feel the same with my L400 in this cold weather too. the drop is also about 10%. I definetly will try the outboard oil as it seems to be working good . So this will replace the filling of the diesel additive one is using ,right? ( or this is a stupid question ? :- sorry if it does )

Thanks for the info.Tony and Jesse
Cheers,
DC

Good point to clear up - I have been using the 2-stroke oil *instead* of the Howes.

[mararmeisto]

I think I'll try this little experiment this winter. I noticed a 10-15% drop during this past summer, but that was because I was blending with WVO (less energy in plant oil), but I noticed that same drop the winter before.

My understanding for the winter drop is pretty much what the OP typed out: it's a winter blend of fuel. I don't know what the oil companies are putting into the diesel, but it's something that keeps the fuel from gelling in our cold Canadian winters. It's added earlier north of the 49th, but it happens in Ameristan as well, just a little later in the year, and not to the whole of the country.

As to the 2-stroke engine oil, I've been reading on plenty of other diesel-engine forums that this is exactly what older model vehicle owners are doing, and the consensus seems to be wrapped-up around the now-lack-of sulfur (read: lubricant) in the fuel. Makes total sense: a diesel engine is an oil-burning engine, so why not throw some oil into it?

[minicarz]

I'll give it a go up here in Kamloops . I've noticed an increase in fuel consumption now the temperature has dropped. I'll report back after a few fills
Cheers,
Neale

[oceanchem]

Purchased 2L this morning and will participate. Is there any possibility of degrading the fuel lines with the engine oil?

Cheers,

Jay

[nxski]

I will be purchasing some this afternoon and participating as well.

[tonydca]

Purchased 2L this morning and will participate. Is there any possibility of degrading the fuel lines with the engine oil?

Cheers,

Jay

Nothing I've read mentions any such downside.

The stuff does contain a blue marker dye (to tell when you've added it into the 50:1 mix it's meant for) but likely in such small quantity that I can't see it being an issue.

[nxski]

I just purchased 5L of Motomaster formula 1 premium 2 cycle outboard oil from crappy tire for $25. The certified brand was $22 but figured I'd use Motomaster since that's what you'd used. Is there really much difference between oils when used for this application? Anyone tried synthetic vs regular?

[jessef]

Just don't over do it.

200:1 is the nominal ratio for optimum results ie, not too much, not too little.

[tonydca]

I just purchased 5L of Motomaster formula 1 premium 2 cycle outboard oil from crappy tire for $25. The certified brand was $22 but figured I'd use Motomaster since that's what you'd used. Is there really much difference between oils when used for this application? Anyone tried synthetic vs regular?

Quote from WikiAnswers seems to be a common thread (comparing 2-stroke oil to, say, 10W30):

"Two-stroke oil burns with smaller residual ash, minimizing wear and tear inside combustion chamber and internal parts. Viscosity in two-stroke oil is reduced, increasing oil penetration to guard against higher operating temperatures and RPMs."

And yes - 200:1 seems to be the agreed-upon ratio for diesels. Hence around 1/3 litre added to a good solid fillup.

[bassnailer]

A good friend of mine is a chemist working for Chevron. He says that winter Diesel mix has a higher amount of jet fuel in it, which is a lighter form of diesel fuel, that burns quicker. He would know, he blends the fuels and comes up with all the different "recipes".

[Aciled]

Just don't over do it.

200:1 is the nominal ratio for optimum results ie, not too much, not too little.

Can you break that down for this 'old man'.... tonydca says to add 1/3 of a 1 litre 2-stroke to 60 litres approx?