Cetane level
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Junior User
Joined: May 2003
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Cetane level
Boys:
Purchased my new 05 F250 CC Fx4 a month back and it is my first diesel truck. I have owned FORD all of my life. I read on another post that we should be running a cetane level of 45/46. How is this calculated/calibrated or affirmed? I just fill up a Wally-World, add one liter of Power Boost conditioner (which states it adds 4-6 point of cetane) and drive off. I have been getting 13.5-15 MPG in town (Fort Worth) and approximately 18-19 MPG on the freeway. Is the Cetane value posted on the pump or is there a method of obtaining such info......
Sorry for such a newbie question....
PS: Not matter what I have heard about the 6.0L, IMHO this truck ROCKS!!!
Vegas-V10
Purchased my new 05 F250 CC Fx4 a month back and it is my first diesel truck. I have owned FORD all of my life. I read on another post that we should be running a cetane level of 45/46. How is this calculated/calibrated or affirmed? I just fill up a Wally-World, add one liter of Power Boost conditioner (which states it adds 4-6 point of cetane) and drive off. I have been getting 13.5-15 MPG in town (Fort Worth) and approximately 18-19 MPG on the freeway. Is the Cetane value posted on the pump or is there a method of obtaining such info......
Sorry for such a newbie question....
PS: Not matter what I have heard about the 6.0L, IMHO this truck ROCKS!!!
Vegas-V10
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 280
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From: San Diego, CA.
I don't recall seeing a cetane level posted on any pump out here.. I'm sure there's an industry standard, but you're kind of at the mercy of the stations.. This makes it even more important to refuel at places that have a high diesel turn-over rate like truckstops, etc.. Maybe someone else will post more info for you.. Keep using that additive 
, your mileage sounds great!!
Russ
, your mileage sounds great!!Russ
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Boys:
Thanks for the response. I'll keep using the additive. I ran 30-gallons through the tank with the additive and got 15 MPG in town. I then pumped over 30 gallons from my 'Tool and Fuel' tank in the bed WITHOUT the additive and have been getting 13.5 MPG in town. Raising the cetane level in the same diesel makes quite a bit of difference. I just did this as a comparison test to see if adding the additive to raise the cetane value worked. It did. Now if I knew how to find a station or company that had a 'higher' cetane value to begin with I would still be further ahead.
PS: I never let a CHEBBY pass me while were both towing 5'vers. It just plain wrong......HAHAHA.
Vegas-V10.
Thanks for the response. I'll keep using the additive. I ran 30-gallons through the tank with the additive and got 15 MPG in town. I then pumped over 30 gallons from my 'Tool and Fuel' tank in the bed WITHOUT the additive and have been getting 13.5 MPG in town. Raising the cetane level in the same diesel makes quite a bit of difference. I just did this as a comparison test to see if adding the additive to raise the cetane value worked. It did. Now if I knew how to find a station or company that had a 'higher' cetane value to begin with I would still be further ahead.
PS: I never let a CHEBBY pass me while were both towing 5'vers. It just plain wrong......HAHAHA.
Vegas-V10.
Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,858
Likes: 3
From: Friendswood, Texas
I just checked Colonial Pipelines Quality Assurance Document (Availalbe online - click here - http://www.colpipe.com/pdfs/cplmansec3.pdf ). From what I can tell, the Cetane rating they require from a shipper - a.k.a. refinery, terminal, or other pipeline - is 40.
If you want to do a little research, the ASTM testing method for Cetane is D613. If you follow the link, the fuels that apply are fungible and segreated low sulfur diesel either dyed by others or dyed by Colonial Pipeline (CPC). If we are supposed to be running 45-46 cetane, looks like we all need to add a fuel booster. I will check with my wife on this for clarification. She used to be the QA manager for CPC. If any of you have questions, let me know and I will be happy to ask her and post the answers or have her do so.
If you want to do a little research, the ASTM testing method for Cetane is D613. If you follow the link, the fuels that apply are fungible and segreated low sulfur diesel either dyed by others or dyed by Colonial Pipeline (CPC). If we are supposed to be running 45-46 cetane, looks like we all need to add a fuel booster. I will check with my wife on this for clarification. She used to be the QA manager for CPC. If any of you have questions, let me know and I will be happy to ask her and post the answers or have her do so.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 364
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From: Scottsdale, AZ
how do we find the cetane ratings at our local pump? Are they required to post or provide the information? Can we test our fuel some how? BTW: I purchase at a Sinclair Truck stop in Flagstaff, AZ right along I-40.
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 19,098
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From: Great State of Texas
The following information may give, some, a little insight regarding the use of cetane enhancement additives.
BTW: I have read that the 6.0 was designed to operate at a minimum cetane level of 47.
Cetane Number/Cetane Index
Cetane number is a relative measure of the interval between the beginning of injection and autoignition of the fuel. The higher the number, the shorter the delay interval. Fuels with low Cetane Numbers will cause hard starting, rough operation, noise and exhaust smoke. Current commercial fuel cetane requirements may not adequately address these customer satisfaction issues. Generally, diesel engines will operate better on fuels with cetane numbers above 50 compared to fuels with cetane numbers of the national average of approximately 45.
Cetane number may be increased through the refining process or the blending of combustion ignition improving additives by fuel suppliers.
Cetane index is an approximation of fuel ignition quality through measurement of distillation range and specific gravity. It is not affected by the use of combustion improver additives; therefore it produces an indication of the base cetane number of the fuel.
Current Diesel Regulations:
On April 19, 2000, TNRCC approved a low emissions diesel fuel rule for nine counties in the Dallas-Fort Worth area beginning May 1, 2002. This establishes a common specification for highway and off-road mobile diesel. It extends the federal 500 ppm sulfur cap for highway diesel to off-road mobile uses. It also includes a min 48 cetane number and max. 10 vol% aromatics content (or approved designated alternative limit).
California has diesel fuel regulations that are applicable for highway and off-road vehicles: 1) the federal 500 ppm sulfur cap for highway diesel was extended to off-road diesel, and 2) an aromatics cap of 10 vol% (or a CARB-approved alternative limit; 20 vol% applicable to small refiners). CARB has certified alternative diesel formulations with aromatics caps larger than 10 vol%; these may have sulfur caps <100 or <200 ppm and cetane >50.
I use Power Service (grey bottle) and have for the last 12,000 miles.
BTW: I have read that the 6.0 was designed to operate at a minimum cetane level of 47.
Cetane Number/Cetane Index
Cetane number is a relative measure of the interval between the beginning of injection and autoignition of the fuel. The higher the number, the shorter the delay interval. Fuels with low Cetane Numbers will cause hard starting, rough operation, noise and exhaust smoke. Current commercial fuel cetane requirements may not adequately address these customer satisfaction issues. Generally, diesel engines will operate better on fuels with cetane numbers above 50 compared to fuels with cetane numbers of the national average of approximately 45.
Cetane number may be increased through the refining process or the blending of combustion ignition improving additives by fuel suppliers.
Cetane index is an approximation of fuel ignition quality through measurement of distillation range and specific gravity. It is not affected by the use of combustion improver additives; therefore it produces an indication of the base cetane number of the fuel.
Current Diesel Regulations:
On April 19, 2000, TNRCC approved a low emissions diesel fuel rule for nine counties in the Dallas-Fort Worth area beginning May 1, 2002. This establishes a common specification for highway and off-road mobile diesel. It extends the federal 500 ppm sulfur cap for highway diesel to off-road mobile uses. It also includes a min 48 cetane number and max. 10 vol% aromatics content (or approved designated alternative limit).
California has diesel fuel regulations that are applicable for highway and off-road vehicles: 1) the federal 500 ppm sulfur cap for highway diesel was extended to off-road diesel, and 2) an aromatics cap of 10 vol% (or a CARB-approved alternative limit; 20 vol% applicable to small refiners). CARB has certified alternative diesel formulations with aromatics caps larger than 10 vol%; these may have sulfur caps <100 or <200 ppm and cetane >50.
I use Power Service (grey bottle) and have for the last 12,000 miles.
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Elder User
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 527
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From: Dark side of the moon
Good info KW! You have a list of those 9 counties? I guess Dallas, Collin, and Denton are in the list. That more or less gets me covered 
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Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,858
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From: Friendswood, Texas
Boutique diesel fuels? I knew this was happening with gasoline but was not aware it was being done with diesel. Perhaps another reason for the regional price variations. The wife will be home in a couple hours, I'll get the Cetane scoop then.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,782
Likes: 221
From: Huntington Indiana
I get fuel from crystal flash their web site is www.crystalflash.com go to fuels then go to a product catalog - select catagory- pulldown menu to fuel then pick fuel desired to get specs on. I use the soydiesel XC. cetane 51.3 their #2 is 41 cetane.
Last edited by bigredtruckmi; Apr 7, 2005 at 05:42 PM.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 188
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From: Central Pennsylvania
I have been back and forth, east and west, north and south, I get fuel at the big truck stops only and most if not all, have posting that the min. Cetane rating is 40.
When you run an additive, the 6.0L does run better, I personally add 8oz. of Cetane Boost sold at Wal-mart for $4.59 a quart. when I get fuel at appox. 1/4 tank left which is about 30 gallons, it has not changed my milage, that much but the truck does run smother.
Rob
When you run an additive, the 6.0L does run better, I personally add 8oz. of Cetane Boost sold at Wal-mart for $4.59 a quart. when I get fuel at appox. 1/4 tank left which is about 30 gallons, it has not changed my milage, that much but the truck does run smother.
Rob
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 364
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From: Scottsdale, AZ
If your cetane rating is too high can damage occur? Lets say that the diesel I use already has a cetane of 48 and I add a cetane booster that puts it at 51 will that damage the motor. I'm stupid on cetane ratings point me the right direction.
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 19,098
Likes: 8
From: Great State of Texas
I have never heard of excessive cetane levels creating damage...could be that it's value plateaus at a certain point w/o damage...but, alas, I do not know.
I estimate that I am typically @ 54+ if my DFW area levels are @ a 48 cetane minimum (as it is supposed to be).
I estimate that I am typically @ 54+ if my DFW area levels are @ a 48 cetane minimum (as it is supposed to be).
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 797
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From: Wickenburg, AZ
Well mikewrt, you just might run into me up there at the Sinclair in Flagstaff, as that is on my route from PA into Wickenburg.
I don't have the foggiest idea what the Cetane is there, but I sure wish that everyone would put their cetane ratings on the pump. Someone told me once that the levels vary summer to winter, and that was why. One would hope they could just put a summer/winter label with both on it in that case, but for whatever reason they don't.
I hadn't heard about the PSD needing 45 cetane or higher until recently. That might explain the EBP and EGR problems folks have been having, because I assume lower grade fuels would tend to carbon up more readily. One of my Auto Repair Magazines I still get started covering diesels more, and they said it is a good idea to boost the cetane up in most places in the US because the ratings hover in the low 40s. That's their angle for what it's worth.
I don't have the foggiest idea what the Cetane is there, but I sure wish that everyone would put their cetane ratings on the pump. Someone told me once that the levels vary summer to winter, and that was why. One would hope they could just put a summer/winter label with both on it in that case, but for whatever reason they don't.
I hadn't heard about the PSD needing 45 cetane or higher until recently. That might explain the EBP and EGR problems folks have been having, because I assume lower grade fuels would tend to carbon up more readily. One of my Auto Repair Magazines I still get started covering diesels more, and they said it is a good idea to boost the cetane up in most places in the US because the ratings hover in the low 40s. That's their angle for what it's worth.