cetane boost
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Senior User
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 477
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From: florida
cetane boost
i went looking for the amsoil cetane boost, but could not find it. i did buy a product that promises 4 points of cetane boost. i read an article that said some fuels have only 37 cetane points out of a hundred. i could not find anything that actually defined what cetane number out of a possible 100 would be ideal.
does anyone on this forum know what the ideal number is? also, what type of damage can you do with these additives. and can you over do it.
thanks in advance
does anyone on this forum know what the ideal number is? also, what type of damage can you do with these additives. and can you over do it.
thanks in advance
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 321
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The cetane level in most #2 Diesel sold in America is 46 - 48. Just over 50 (52 - 54) is ideal for performance and mileage. Cetane does for diesel engines what octane does for gas motors. It helps them put out more power by making the most of the fuel charge injected. For gas engines, octane slows down the ignition in order to prevent knock. Cetane works in reverse, by speeding up the ignition to ensure complete burning. The best additive that I know if is Stanadyne Performance Formula. You can pick it up at any pump shop for about $7 a bottle, or on the web for around $4.50. The additive itself won't hurt your engine. It'll actually help: it lubricates the pump, cleans the injectors, and helps combustion. The bottle is marked so that you can add the right amount to your tank. The greatest damage you'll do by overdosing is to your wallet. The stuff ain't cheap!
Junior User
Joined: May 2004
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I notice a significant increase in performance and mileage when I use cetane boost. You should definately be able to feel it. I just use the brand at walmart...cant think of the brand name right now...You can buy a big jug of it (enough to treat 300 gallons) for $11.00...I put it in every 3 or 4 tank fulls...but I think you will be pleased with how it rides with this additive in the tank.
Hotshot
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 11,697
Likes: 3
From: Marengo, Iowa
I have bought it in the gallon jugs from Wal Mart, and numerous other places. It seemed to boost my efficiency 2-3 mpg. and you only need about 5 ounces to a tank of fuel on these pickups. It cost about $10 for the gallon, so it isn't that expensive really.
Hotshot
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 11,697
Likes: 3
From: Marengo, Iowa
Ya just gotta learn to drive like a sane person...LOL. Anyway, I don't generally drive any different, but I do tend to run trailers a lot, so all the help I can get helps a lot. My sister borrowed my truck a few weeks ago and ran to eastern Pennsylvania from here in Iowa, and was pulling her 5 horse slant. While she wasn't loaded going out, and wasn't that much heavier coming back, (just bottle calves) the trailer is fairly heavy by itself. It's in the range of 6000, but not exactly sure. She was too lazy to put the additive in, but it got 12 mpg all the time. Mountains or no, it got that. I generally got higher than that, but I run flatbeds most of the time. With the cetane boose, it went up to 14-15. But then I don't stomp it, and I slow down early rather than hammering the brakes, in town if I have a red, I don't efven get up to spped because what's the point, going to be stopping anyway, so I get going 15-20 mph unless it goes green. So yeah that helps too, but I do notice a difference in power and sound of the engine with the booster in there.
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Joined: Feb 2005
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From: pensacola,fl
Go to wal-mart and buy some of the cheap automatic transmission fluid,about a 1/4 to 1/2 quart to a tank of fuel,You will notice improved performance.Oil have no octane rating like gas does and burns more easily,it makes the diesel more readily and will increace power.I found out running it in my truck to clean the injectors and noticed every time i did it i had a noticable power increase,quite signifigant one at that.I then remeber from aviation maintenance school were i got my a&p licence that tranny fluid will increase power in a deisel engine by burninf more readily,waynebo
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Senior User
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 477
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From: florida
heaven knows this old 7.3 needs all the help it can get. i can live with the slow part, it was the smoke i was trying to slow down. i bought a couple of bottles at autozone and it promises a 4 point cetane boost. i will probably fuel the truck up tomorrow and treat the fuel. everyone says its suffering from lack of oxygen, and i really hate to mess with the ip. i will try the cetane first, and try to keep my foot as light as possible.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,028
Likes: 1
From: San Antonio
in fact the biggest difference was less smoke but It also ran hotter so don't go to crazy. I know people who would stick a half gallon of gas in each tank as a cheap cetane boost or keep these thing from gelling in the winter.
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Senior User
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 477
Likes: 1
From: florida
less smoke is what i'm after, i will put the prescribed amount in each tankfull. the truck will not be run hard, mostly empty. its heavy, the truck with the 12' dump bed weighs over 7k
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: San Antonio
yeah I know mine wieghted 6500lbs and its a regular cab long box and it only had 4 tires. is that truck originally from that area you may want to get the Ip turned down for the elevation. the high elevation motors had like 160hp compared to 180 for the rest of us.
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Senior User
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: florida
i bought a rebuilt 7.3 and gave my old core to the rebuilder. i really don't know what it is. i do know its not very strong, but that may be my fault. it came with a 5 speed and 513 rears, i changed it to a 355 rear. this truck spent its life in florida towing heavy equipment. i bought it with a blown engine. i really hate to mess with the ip and like dan says, it will cut the power back if i do. its really a nice truck i have pictures posted under john's truck.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,028
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From: San Antonio
you already losing power it just like changing jets in a carb so to speak you may gain buy turning it down a little. I recomend a pyro so you can see what its really doing then It make the desicion easier.
