Gain 5% mpg...
 

Ok guys, here it is.

I had a previous thread on Diesel Kleen. So that everyone has access to this mpg info, I want to post the reply I got from DK about the extra mpg they claim. It's an "up to 8%", and someone said well, 0% gain is part of "up to". But the bottom line is, sounds like they have a fair claim at about 5% gain by using it. Here's their reply to me.......

Cetane is a very powerful energy compound that helps the fuel to ignite
a split second sooner which helps the fuel burn more completely, reduces
engine knock and helps reduce emissions.

The Department of Energy, Clean Cities Tennessee and Wal Mart
Transportation all conducted their own testing using their own equipment
and test set up and they found that fuel economy did improve, usually
around 5% for mix fleets or vehicles, that emissions went down and the
vehicles had better performance. Clean Cities TN also ran NOx emissions
and found that Diesel Kleen reduce NOx by 9% (running) to 28% (idle).
Total Fina did a study with new injectors and found that when using a
strong detergent and strong Cetane Boost fuel economy increased 2%.

.....Jeff 1991 300d, 111k

Wrong. Cetane is actually short for Cetane Number, the measure given to describe a light oil's ignition delay or, the time period between the start of injection and start of combustion of the fuel in a compression ignition engine. It is not an energy compound.

Tell Diesel Kleen that
 

I don't know. I just live on the planet and buy things. Maybe he skipped a finer point of the description, but that's what they sell, I assume (and hope) that they know what they're talking about.

jeff

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

It's an energy compound, also called Hexadecane.

Octane is another, and cetane number is related to cetane in the same way that octane number is related to octane.

We don't burn gasoline that is 87% octane. We *certainly* don't buy gasoline that is 110% octane at the track.

I think it's reasonable to assume that clean injectors and increased cetane values can contribute to more complete combustion, which may increase mileage and reduce emissions. Obviously, this will provide more benefit if if your injectors are less than pristine and your compression is on the low side.

I other words, you are not going to improve performance beyond the "like new" condition, but you may help an engine that has degraded performance. You will probably still get more benefit from adjusting your valves and IP timing.

I stand corrected...Cetane Number (CN) is the measure of ignition delay. Cetane is the compound. Cetane has a CN of 100.

hmmm, off the subject, kinda. I wouldnt burn anything OVER 87 octane in a vehicle that didnt call for it, but in my racecar, I wouldnt let pump gas see the inside of my gas can. I would be afraid to see what 110 did to my street car though. (not the benz)

My 99 E300 got 33 mpg cruising at 85mph. Didn't get one thing more with DK. I tried it. Of course, my IP timing was on and the injectors were clean, fluids were good, etc, etc.

There isn't an additive out there where I've noticed a difference in regards to fuel economy. Sometimes there's a bit less smoke, and an interesting odor emanates out the twin-tailpipes. Perhaps a bit more power off the line too, for the first 50 miles. But nothing lasting.

Other than being green there is little financial gain from using these branded products. If the 5% gain in fuel mileage was valid that will give you another 1.25 mpg and that won't cover the bill on a quart of these products with the current fuel prices. If you look at the MSDS's for some of these products that active ingredient is usually methane or alcohol that's is what is pushing the cetane up. It's like selling bottled tap water - it's packaged conveniently for the end user.

the only thing race gas would do to a car with low compression is plug up the catalytic converter.

If it gives you a solid 5% from one engine that uses it vs that same engine when it doesn't use it, you might have something. This is assuming the engine is running in top shape

I have noticed an improvement in mileage when I use power service. It makes the most difference on Diesel No.2 (summer diesel) . This is probably because Diesel No. 1 usually has a higher Cetane rating to aid in starting in the cold.

I played a bit with adding a double dose of Power Service my last road trip and I got even better mileage. It did seem to drop some of the power though. Just topping off the tank remedied that.

IMHO Power Service definitely more than pays for itself when used with Diesel No. 2. In the winter its probably a wash.

Have to use it from time to time
 

I think you have to use DK from time to time to clean the injectors. My car runs quieter when I run it through, and you can't just use 4 oz. in a tank one time and say it didn't do anything. You have to run it through a few tankfuls to see a real difference, and it should quiet your engine down if it clacks. Mine clacks louder at startup of course, but then after that it quiets down.

I'm sure you'll get better mpg if your injectors are dirty vs if they're now cleaned, but still, my car runs quieter when I put DK in it from time to time.

Jeff 1991 300d, 111k

Cost me $70 to check the injectors and clean the dirty one at 120K. That is after several years. Why bother with that stuff then?

I used 4 oz and went up to 12 oz and didn't see a thing different. Maybe it is quieter but it is already quiet enough that I can't notice the difference. The wife noticed the difference with B20 in the truck. Without DK, the MB runs quiet enough. Even if it was a bit more, would it be worth the effort? IMO, NO.