Diesel Fuel
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Elder User
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Diesel Fuel
For those experiencing poor performance my dealer informed me that in AZ they have never had a fuel sample out of any truck/diesel that hit the fords reccomended cetane level of 40. Most here averaged 32-34 from the ones they sampled. They told me this results in poor performance and also reccomended to use the cetance boost with higher percentages to bring it up to fords standards. They also said if you go below 1/4 tank that the truck goes into a fuel save mode. Strips performance and takes quite a while to come out of this mode.
One question I have is that I use diesel kleen every fill up and just filled up. The dealer added fords cetance boost to the higher levels. Is this going to cause me porblems since it is double boosted. I put 16oz of diesel kleen and they use a much stronger boost. I think fords cetane boost is 20oz and treats 127 gals or something. Should I be worried or when I start to run fuel out fill it back up once I get down to 3/4 or 1/2 tank?
One question I have is that I use diesel kleen every fill up and just filled up. The dealer added fords cetance boost to the higher levels. Is this going to cause me porblems since it is double boosted. I put 16oz of diesel kleen and they use a much stronger boost. I think fords cetane boost is 20oz and treats 127 gals or something. Should I be worried or when I start to run fuel out fill it back up once I get down to 3/4 or 1/2 tank?
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Great State of Texas
I don't think you need to worry. The benefit of cetane value gains plateaus at around 50 / 51.
A couple of other things...I have heard / read that the 6.0 was designed for optimal performance at a minimum cetane rating of 46.
Plus, I doubt that the cetane in AZ fuel is as low as you have been told. Typical low nationally would be 40. I recommend though, that you call a couple of local distributors and ask for your own personal knowledge.
The "fuel save mode" is a new one on me. Maybe some of our resident techs here can confirm or deny that statement for us.
For the following reason I seriously doubt that your dealer has ever spent the $$$ for a fuel sample cetane rating test.
Taken from Mobil web site:
Since measuring cetane numbers requires acquiring and maintaining a cetane number engine, it is apparent that this is a difficult and expensive test. There have been many attempts to develop methods to estimate the cetane number of a fuel for situations in which an engine is not available or the amount of fuel is insufficient for the engine test. To differentiate them from the engine test, these estimates are called cetane indexes.
It is only my opinion, of course, but...I think your dealer is blowing white smoke up your tail pipe.
A couple of other things...I have heard / read that the 6.0 was designed for optimal performance at a minimum cetane rating of 46.
Plus, I doubt that the cetane in AZ fuel is as low as you have been told. Typical low nationally would be 40. I recommend though, that you call a couple of local distributors and ask for your own personal knowledge.
The "fuel save mode" is a new one on me. Maybe some of our resident techs here can confirm or deny that statement for us.
For the following reason I seriously doubt that your dealer has ever spent the $$$ for a fuel sample cetane rating test.
Taken from Mobil web site:
Since measuring cetane numbers requires acquiring and maintaining a cetane number engine, it is apparent that this is a difficult and expensive test. There have been many attempts to develop methods to estimate the cetane number of a fuel for situations in which an engine is not available or the amount of fuel is insufficient for the engine test. To differentiate them from the engine test, these estimates are called cetane indexes.
It is only my opinion, of course, but...I think your dealer is blowing white smoke up your tail pipe.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2005
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From: Huntington Indiana
Wow - I would be trying to get some different fuel supplier if possible. Check around at the major suppliers and find one that runs well and stick to it. I was able to get one with 51 cetane from my supplier. which is premium fuel with 5% soy added.
Lead Driver
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From: Other side of the sunrise
EPDP99, let me get this right. So Ford diagnosed your problems as poor fuel??? Whoa, who'd've thunk it. Have the issues that you previously experienced actually gone away with using fuel treatment and boosting cetane levels?
I too use diesel kleen and buy my fuel at a more "regulated" supplier. This might be an interesting consideration as to why my truck seems to be so trouble free and other people seem to have problems. Keep me (us) posted to your progress.
T
I too use diesel kleen and buy my fuel at a more "regulated" supplier. This might be an interesting consideration as to why my truck seems to be so trouble free and other people seem to have problems. Keep me (us) posted to your progress.
T
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Bossier City, LA
KW, I was also informed about measuring cetane by a Medium duty Ford tech. He said that Ford wants them to run the test all the time, he said they never do, because they are inaccurate. I found that interesting, he basicly told me that they will never deny a warranty claim due to fuel quality, other than excessive water. Just wish he was my local tech, and not 1200 miles away.
Ryan
Ryan
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Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Great State of Texas
The cetane test engine is very expensive to purchase, maintain, an keep calibrated.
Heck, most dealerships don't even spend the $$$ to keep a well educated certified tech around. Let alone the $$$ for a lab engine like that. Plus, they would then have to keep someone around that is certified to run the test. Not likely to happen.
I also understand that it is expensive to send the fuel out to a test lab. Again, not likely.
With that said, I would question the tech's knowledge regarding all the trucks they have tested resulting in 32 / 34 cetane levels.
Heck, most dealerships don't even spend the $$$ to keep a well educated certified tech around. Let alone the $$$ for a lab engine like that. Plus, they would then have to keep someone around that is certified to run the test. Not likely to happen.
I also understand that it is expensive to send the fuel out to a test lab. Again, not likely.
With that said, I would question the tech's knowledge regarding all the trucks they have tested resulting in 32 / 34 cetane levels.
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Originally Posted by olfordsnstone
EPDP99, let me get this right. So Ford diagnosed your problems as poor fuel??? Whoa, who'd've thunk it. Have the issues that you previously experienced actually gone away with using fuel treatment and boosting cetane levels?
I too use diesel kleen and buy my fuel at a more "regulated" supplier. This might be an interesting consideration as to why my truck seems to be so trouble free and other people seem to have problems. Keep me (us) posted to your progress.
T
I too use diesel kleen and buy my fuel at a more "regulated" supplier. This might be an interesting consideration as to why my truck seems to be so trouble free and other people seem to have problems. Keep me (us) posted to your progress.
T
No, they didnt say it was from that at all. They reflashed and i road tested it. EGR noise is gone, but shift points didnt seem to change. When they reflashed it seemed to have an extremely long turbo lag. My wife even noticed it and she rarely rides in it. I had the powersteering hoses replaced due to a TSB and told them about performance was weak. They looked at it and claimed it to be in normal operating range, and that it might have been in "fuel save mode". regaurdless they added cetane boost to fuel not nowing I already use a cetane boost. They did say here in AZ no matter where fuel comes from, even big truck stops average cetane is 32-34. I will try to inquire about that but just tried to give everyone a heads up. Truck does seem to be running better but turbo lag still very long. They said they checked PCM and cleared codes but didnt say exactly what they were. I am going to try to get ahold of the actual hard copy tech makes comments on to see what they did. I will give everybody a heads up though....Eric
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Originally Posted by EPDP99
They looked at it and claimed it to be in normal operating range, and that it might have been in "fuel save mode".
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Postmaster
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From: Utopia
Eric, I think AZ avg is 42-43. The 6.0 likes 46+. I calculated last night that .5oz of diesel kleen per gallon would get me above 46 cetane. More diesel kleen would yield higher cetane # but that is pretty expensive, and I don't know if the benefits outweigh the costs at 48-49 cetane. Sure does run smooth though...
Should I use the DK from day one on a new motor or wait a couple thousand miles? Concerned about proper break in.
Should I use the DK from day one on a new motor or wait a couple thousand miles? Concerned about proper break in.
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Other side of the sunrise
EPBP99, Eric, a guy at work just installed an exhaust system he picked up at Summit Auto Racing. It was the stainless 4" system and he installed it on his 2000 7.3 Super Duty. He stated, while on his test run, that he had virtually NO turbo lag and that his throttle was very responsive after the mod. I don't know if the improvement would be as impressive on the 6.0 or not. Hmmm, thought you might be interested.
T
T
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Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Medford, Oregon
The "fuel saver mode" is a new 06 "feature", I believe. I've seen some other posts where guys are getting a CEL or "overfull" if the fill a new truch up the the filler neck, and if it gets down to 1/8 tank & the low fuel chimes in, the truck starts acting like its fuel starved, bucking & sputtering. Has never happened on my 03, and most of the posts I recall one this were new 06's.
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after driving for a while it seems to be the same. I plan on getting exhaust but i need to get the gears in first so it will be awhile. I spoke with a guy who ran a straight 4" back exhaust on his o4 and said it did help quite a bit but got engine light because of backpressure. he bought a tuner and said it got way better and his turbo sang right from take off.