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  #1  
Old 09-05-2007, 07:00 PM
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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
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  #2  
Old 09-05-2007, 07:08 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jbach36 View Post
Cetane is a very powerful energy compound that helps the fuel to ignite
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.
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Last edited by R Leo; 09-05-2007 at 09:15 PM.
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  #3  
Old 09-05-2007, 07:18 PM
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Tell Diesel Kleen that

Quote:
Originally Posted by R Leo View Post
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 eninge. It is not an energy compound.
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
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  #4  
Old 09-24-2007, 03:42 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jbach36 View Post
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
well played. well played.
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  #5  
Old 09-05-2007, 09:18 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by R Leo View Post
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.
I stand corrected...Cetane Number (CN) is the measure of ignition delay. Cetane is the compound. Cetane has a CN of 100.
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  #6  
Old 09-05-2007, 07:19 PM
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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.
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  #7  
Old 09-05-2007, 07:47 PM
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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.
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  #8  
Old 09-06-2007, 03:53 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Matt L View Post
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.
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)
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  #9  
Old 09-06-2007, 09:04 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Biglex View Post
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)
the only thing race gas would do to a car with low compression is plug up the catalytic converter.
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  #10  
Old 09-24-2007, 10:22 AM
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Bingo!

Quote:
Originally Posted by Matt L View Post
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.

The little stickers with numbers on the pumps do NOT indicate a percentage. They indicate an anti knock or 'compressability' index. "Better living through chemistry" tells us - here in America - R+M/2 = octane rating.
R = research number IE: content by molecular weights.
M = motor number - fuel is is burned in a test bench engine, if I recall, according to ASTM specs. and the point just below 'knock' is found. Tetra ethyl lead, benzene even kerosene can add octane rating to gasoline without adding octane molecules. In Germany (if not the whole EU) only the research number is used.

I did a paper on 'organics in consumer contexts' in college and if I recall, cetane index is proportional to potential energy content per fuel volume at a specified temperature (I forgot that temp but I'll surf for it.)

ANYWAY having driven a truck, and seeing that 5% gain -vs up to 5%- I thought that would be a MAJOR REVOLUTIONARY breakthrough in transport costs. Think about how much 5% would translate to for ONE coast to coast trip! Some O/O truckers I've met swear by different additives and some don't.
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  #11  
Old 09-06-2007, 07:34 AM
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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.
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  #12  
Old 09-06-2007, 08:11 AM
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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.
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  #13  
Old 09-06-2007, 08:30 AM
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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.
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  #14  
Old 09-09-2007, 12:51 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TX76513 View Post
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.
Actually, a 5% increase in fuel economy will save me almost $0.94 every time I fill the tank.

Calculations based on: 23.5 mpg base milage (average recorded milage over the last 3000 miles)

with a 5% increase = 1.175 mpg (or 24.675 mpg total)

average cost of D2 over the last 3000 miles = $2.91 per gallon

I averaged 332 miles between fill ups (over the last 3000).

When I use DK, I add 12 oz DK at every fill up at a cost of $1.25. (I bought a 96 oz jug of DK at Wal-Mart for 11.96).

So:

A 5% increase in milage saves me 0.673 gallons of D2 at each fill up (13.455 gal vs 14.128 gal), plus adding 12 oz of DK replaces 0.078 gallons of D2. That equals $2.18 worth of D2 saved for every $1.25 worth of DK spent.

Now, lets turn the calculation around. How much of a mpg increase do I need to see before using DK is no more expensive than not using it?

First 12 oz of DK, replaces $0.227 worth of D2.

Therefore, adding 12 oz of DK only increases the cost of a fill up by $1.023.

At 23.5 mpg, I use 14.1276 gallons of fuel at every fill up (332 miles).

To make up the added cost of DK, I need to use 0.3516 gallons less D2 over 332 miles.

This means I need to get 24.1 mpg, or a 2.6% increase in fuel economy.

Provided that the product does no harm, you have very little to lose (or gain) by using it.
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  #15  
Old 09-06-2007, 12:17 PM
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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
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