What is cetane?
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FTE Leadership Emeritus
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From: Houston, Texas
What is cetane?
I recently started using, Power Service's Diesel Kleen and I've noticed a huge difference in the way my X performs. My acceleration, horsepower, torque, and fuel mileage have all gone up. I'm very impressed with this product, but one thing has me puzzled; what is cetane? Is it the gasoline equivilent "octane"? What does boosting the cetane levels do? and Does it turn not-so-fresh diesel into fresh diesel?
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From: Bonney Lake, WA
What is cetane?
You're right, cetane is the diesel equivalent of octane. Higher is better. If I'm not mistaken, a higher cetane rating indicates that you will get more energy out of a given volume of fuel.
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From: On the farm near Loveland
What is cetane?
Cetane is a hydrocarbon that readily ignites under compression in a diesel. It has a cetane rating of 100.
Most #2 pump diesel has a cetane rating of between 40 and 45. The minimum under federal law is 40. The higher a fuel's cetane rating is, the easier it ignites, diesel engines tend to start easier and run smoother on a higher cetane fuel.
It's sort of the opposite of gasoline octane, the higher the octane, the *less* prone to ignition the fuel is. But diesels provide no spark for ignition like gassers, so how readily a fuel ignites is important.
A lot of diesel fuel is IMO pretty lousy. Even the Mexican federal government mandates a minimum cetane rating of 48. The alternative biodiesel fuel sold in some areas has a cetane rating of between 50 and 60. I use it and yes, starting is much easier. Even at 50 degrees overnight, I put the key in, spin the starter and go. No waiting for the glow plugs.
Most #2 pump diesel has a cetane rating of between 40 and 45. The minimum under federal law is 40. The higher a fuel's cetane rating is, the easier it ignites, diesel engines tend to start easier and run smoother on a higher cetane fuel.
It's sort of the opposite of gasoline octane, the higher the octane, the *less* prone to ignition the fuel is. But diesels provide no spark for ignition like gassers, so how readily a fuel ignites is important.
A lot of diesel fuel is IMO pretty lousy. Even the Mexican federal government mandates a minimum cetane rating of 48. The alternative biodiesel fuel sold in some areas has a cetane rating of between 50 and 60. I use it and yes, starting is much easier. Even at 50 degrees overnight, I put the key in, spin the starter and go. No waiting for the glow plugs.
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Joined: Nov 2002
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From: Mansfield, TX USA
What is cetane?
Originally posted by Quadzilla
You're right, cetane is the diesel equivalent of octane. Higher is better. If I'm not mistaken, a higher cetane rating indicates that you will get more energy out of a given volume of fuel.
You're right, cetane is the diesel equivalent of octane. Higher is better. If I'm not mistaken, a higher cetane rating indicates that you will get more energy out of a given volume of fuel.
Octane is a measure of the fuel's ability to resist detonation.
Cetane is a measure of the fuel's ability to combust.
But yes, higher is better with both.
Here is a link that explains cetane:
http://www.buyduralt.com/cetane.html
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From: Port Orchard, WA
What is cetane?
So what you are saying is it is OK to NOT wait for the glow plug light to extinguish before turning the key? Providing that the cetane rating is high enough? Is it bad to not wait? I'm new to diesels and just curious. Thanks...
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From: Western NC
What is cetane?
Welp, this ol' boy is waitin' for the light to go out, no matter what the cetane rating is. It has taken me a lot of work to develop that habit successfully. As a matter of fact, I have gotten myself into that habit so well, I even do it in my wife's Explorer now when I drive it. Oh, if I could only train her to do it when she drives my truck.........
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From: On the farm near Loveland
What is cetane?
If it starts right up like a gasser in the morning after maybe 3 or 4 seconds of cranking and runs nice and smooth, what's the problem with that?
The only time I ever let the glow plugs fully cycle is when it's way cold outside in the winter or if I get some lousy fuel that won't let her fire up right away.
The only time I ever let the glow plugs fully cycle is when it's way cold outside in the winter or if I get some lousy fuel that won't let her fire up right away.
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From: Houston, Texas
What is cetane?
My X kinda does the same thing, but it sometimes doesn't even need much of the first turn to get going. Everything is much better now, but I still need to run a few more tests. My next question pertains to dosage. When I fill up, should I dump the enitre bottle in? I bought the kind that says it treats 50 gallons. I'm assuming as much becuase the Excursion comes with a 44-gallon tank. So I'm thinking, why not dump the bottle in? In answer to the glow-plug question, I normally let the glow-plugs fully cycle no matter what the situation is, unless it's a life or death situation.
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From: Belton, MO
What is cetane?
I noticed at Wal Mart that they carry two Power Service Products. One is in a white container and the other is a grey container. One I believe is the Diesel Kleen. One says cetane boost and I don't recall the specifics on the other one. They list the anti-gelling, cleaning, etc. that they provide. What is the difference with these and which is the best to use? Does it depend on the season?
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From: Bonney Lake, WA
What is cetane?
Gelling is something that occurs in diesel fuel when the temp gets cold, about 40, I think. Winter blend diesel has an additive to lower the temp at which the fuel starts to get. Some additives have anti-gel properties, but as far as I know, winter blend has enough to make that unnecessary.
One of the nice things about my chip, is that there seems to be a certain amount of glow plug logic. When I first start the truck in the morning, the WTS light stays on for about 15 seconds. After the truck is warmed up, the light is only on for a second, so I light 'er up. Once the truck starts, the glow plugs shut off, which I think, saves wear and tear on the whole circuit.
One of the nice things about my chip, is that there seems to be a certain amount of glow plug logic. When I first start the truck in the morning, the WTS light stays on for about 15 seconds. After the truck is warmed up, the light is only on for a second, so I light 'er up. Once the truck starts, the glow plugs shut off, which I think, saves wear and tear on the whole circuit.
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Joined: May 2003
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What is cetane?
Diesel gels at around 15 degrees. I also use Diesel Kleen (gray bottle). It has better cetane boost than the white bottle. Its anti gel addative isnt that good though, mine froze while I was driving down the road. When the temp drops below 20, switch to Stanadyne or Howes to prevent gelling.
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Joined: Aug 2003
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From: Texas
What is cetane?
Even Ford Service will tell you opinion is mixed on the "wait to start" on the newer trucks, but they also quote your owner's manual which instructs you to wait for the light to go out.
As for the PS (gray & white). Does everyone follow the instructions for adding or do you just put the entire bottle in?
I just add the bottle(sometimes half) when I fill up. I have never had any problems with the fuel system, even when it was below 0 to a high of 8 degrees outside.
As for the PS (gray & white). Does everyone follow the instructions for adding or do you just put the entire bottle in?
I just add the bottle(sometimes half) when I fill up. I have never had any problems with the fuel system, even when it was below 0 to a high of 8 degrees outside.
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From: West Texas
What is cetane?
I use the Centane boost (grey bottle) ....here in west texas we don't have to worry about freezing to much and the truck is in the garage anyway. Because of that I doubt I will change to the white bottle even during the winter unless it gets REALLY cold (20*-30*)