Diesel Fuel Cetane Ratings

[Morganizer]

"It’s generally accepted that the higher a diesel fuel’s cetane rating, the better the fuel will burn...the United States has some of the lowest cetane rated fuel in the world."

Presumably this affects Canuck diesel similarly.

http://www.dieselpowermag.com/news/1209 ... is_cetane/

Since most of our vans come from Japan, I looked it up, and this article suggests the standard for Japanese diesel is a cetane rating of 45, minimum:

http://transportpolicy.net/index.php?ti ... d_Gasoline

I imagine this means slightly poorer fuel economy, compared to manufacturers predictions.

Anyone know of tuning adjustments to account for feeding Astron engines different fuel once they're imported to North America?

Years ago, I phoned Shell to ask about fuel for a Honda motorcycle that was about 10 years old. He said, "The fuel that bike was designed to run on doesn't exist anymore; gasoline technology has changed so much since it was built. Just pick your favourite gas station, and fill up there as consistently as you can. The engine will 'get used to' the modern fuel as much as it can."

I think the same applies to Delicas. You want to wear it out in one, predictable way, rather than in all sorts of ways. That just makes it sloppy.

[Shaun Van Ramen]

Interesting - A quick search found info on Cdn fuel.
http://www.rrcoop.com/products.php

And from the TDI CLub Forum one person posted the following (Since I frequent Husky)

"Here is some info I got from husky;

1. Some parts of the engine require a lubrication spec (scar rating) of no more than 460 HFRR. What is the scar rating of the Husky DieselMax?
All diesel in Canada already meets and exceeds the Canadian spec for lubricity. One of the test methods to test lubricity is the High Frequency Reciprocating Rig Test (HFRR Test) with a result of a wear scar diameter of less than or equal to 460 μm at 60°C.. Husky's diesel has a wear scar diameter that is well below 460 μm at 60°C. With the addition of Husky's premium diesel additive, DieselMax, lubricity is increased even further to well exceed any lubricity spec

2. Is there any biodiesel in DieselMax?
If there is a provincial mandate for renewable fuels in your province, certain locations will receive a blend of up to 5% biodiesel in the warmer months of the year.

3. What is the cetane rating of DieselMax?
The specification for cetane number in Canada is 40. Diesel producers usually blend a diesel with a cetane of approximately 41-42.
The cetane improver in Husky's DieselMax additive increases the cetane number above this range.

DieselMax also provides the following benefits
• Reduces exhaust emissions
• Maintains fuel injector cleanliness ensuring operation at peak design conditions
• Cleans-up pre-formed deposits to ensure efficient combustion
• Cleans up dirty fuel injectors in 1 to3 fill-ups
• Contains cetane number improver
• Provides excellent thermal and storage stability
• Contains a lubricity improver which adds additional lubricity over the Canadian specification
• Provides corrosion inhibition"

[FalcoColumbarius]

I typically use DieselMax. I also use Howes Diesel Treat. I have noticed the difference in performance and mileage when I don't use the HDT to when I do use it. I typically like DieselMax over the other brands but I'm not sure those claims are altogether accurate. This year I've noticed a difference in both performance and mileage in the last couple of fill ups, apparently they have started using Winter diesel in the Lower Mainland. Last year I asked and they said they didn't use Winter diesel, nor did my wagon's performance and mileage reflect such. Now my mileage sucks. Another point I'd like to make is in 2008, when I acquired my wagon, we were getting LSD (Low Sulphur Diesel) which was 500 parts per million (if memory serves me) ~ now we are served ULSD (Ultra), which is 15 parts per million ~ quite a difference.

Regarding bio additives ~ I've heard higher then five percent, 'though this is not a subject that I've sourced. Also, vegetable oil has less calories than dino diesel, which means less mileage. I'd like to know what they mean by "biodiesel".

I'd like to know the actual cetane number that this cetane improver additive creates. I've been to "MyHusky.ca" and any lubricants that they sell is a Chevron product but that's all I can glean from that site, I'll have to ask more questions at my local Mohawk.

Another thing to consider is the Jetta TDI has a 16/1 compression ratio, the Astron has a 21/1 compression ratio. What difference this might make in how the fuel performs I know not but I would think that this would be something to consider.

Kinda makes you want to be a part time chemist.

Falco.

[CREGAN]

I use 50/50 mix of Amsoil Diesel Injector Clean and Amsoil Cetane Boost (30ml per quarter tank). My van likes it a lot. I also throw in some 2 stroke oil when it is ball freezing cold (200ml)... like every fill up for the past 3 weeks :(

Craig

[sub-arctic]

i generally have been adding 2 stroke in the summer time, in the winter it gets too cold to pour, so i get lazy and just fill with diesel. might try some additive next time, to see what happens.