Fuel Additives

Additives are chemicals that can be added to fuels and are used to enhance certain performance characteristics. Some are designed to help eliminate carbon build-up inside the engine. There are also additives that are used to improve the lubricant properties of new low sulfur diesel fuels for example.

Additives are chemicals that can be added to fuels and are used to enhance certain performance characteristics. The quality of the fuel available to consumers can vary significantly. Many fuel companies add detergents to their fuel to meet a minimum requirement by law however it is often not enough. New low sulfur diesel fuel no longer has the lubrication properties it once had and an additive is needed to restore it.

How do deposits affect my engine?

Deposits at the tip can impact fuel flow, upsetting the air/fuel mixture.

Diesel fuel is a highly complex fuel. It changes chemical structure during the time after it leaves the refinery to the time it is pumped into holding tanks and into the fuel station to the time it gets pumped into your vehicle. Fuel molecules oxidize and change structure and the energy per unit volume of the fuel can change during this process, which can negatively affect the performance of your engine. By using the proper type and ratio of fuel additives you can effectively combat the effects of fuel degradation and increase the Cetane value of the fuel and allows the engine to extract more power from a gallon of fuel, plus numerous other benefits.

Diesel fuel contains more energy per gallon than gasoline. The three types of diesel fuel are 1D, 2D and a blend of the two used during the winter. 1D is a lighter grade of fuel and provides less energy than 2D. Generally 1D can be used to reduce/eliminate fuel gelling in cold winter climates or it can be mixed with 2D.

The ignition quality of diesel fuel is measured by its Cetane rating. The higher the Cetane level the easier the fuel burns evenly and the produces power. Average diesel fuel is approximately a 40 Cetane level. Generally 45-50 ranges is considered premium diesel. However, just because a diesel fuel pump says “premium” on it does not necessarily mean that the Cetane level is between 45-50 since different states and countries have different regulations addressing what constitutes a premium diesel fuel.

Check with the particular fuel station as to exactly what Cetane levels the fuel is they are selling, or if you use the station regularly have the fuel tested to be assured of quality fuel. Higher Cetane numbers produce improved derivability, reduced emissions and black smoke and the driver of the vehicle or owner of a generator in our case can see and feel the difference in power that a higher Cetane number produces.