Diesel Fuel Additive for Yanmar Engine

[DeereMann]

Thanks jerrybob - I picked up some & the engine seems to "de-clatter" quicker, even though we are in the heat of summer now. This should help a lot when it gets colder too (up here in Minnesota - will be using with snowblower).

 

[DeereMann]

Thanks all - yeah, I found that study.....back from 2007. One needs to note that the author compared raw diesel fuel prior to any oil company lubricity additive - he did not compare fuels from around the U.S. to see if they were "good enough". I guess what we are stuck with is "buyer beware", per usual. Diesel engines are too expensive to risk repair to the most expensive subsystem - the fuel system! Hence the additive industry loving no standards. I will bite the bullet with the rest of you & use the fuel additives.

Thanks much to all!

 

[DeereMann]

Thanks, jgayman. Yeah, I knew Deere had their own branding, but likely it is repackaged from somebody. Having been in the oil industry, that type of thing is common. My question is really more toward are diesel fuel additives really necessary for small diesel engines in the U.S.?

It seems the jury is out as the industry won't publish data so we are on our own!

Thanks again.

 

[Mace Canute]

This is the pdf I was on about..... history on the lubrication back room maneuvering.

(460 vs. 520.... not quite 20%, but you get the drift.....)

Rgds, D.

Here's a PDF file of that report that makes it a little easier to save if anyone wants to.

http://rivrdog.typepad.com/files/copy-of-diesel-fuel-additive-version-3.pdf

Thanks all - yeah, I found that study.....back from 2007. One needs to note that the author compared raw diesel fuel prior to any oil company lubricity additive - he did not compare fuels from around the U.S. to see if they were "good enough". I guess what we are stuck with is "buyer beware", per usual. Diesel engines are too expensive to risk repair to the most expensive subsystem - the fuel system! Hence the additive industry loving no standards. I will bite the bullet with the rest of you & use the fuel additives.

Thanks much to all!

You've hit the nail on the head. A quality additive (emphasis on QUALITY!) is very cheap insurance and the better quality ones do work.

 

[mmorisoli]

I have been using the Opti Lube XPD in my duramax and kubota for years it works great no issues at all.

 

[3930dave]

Thanks Mace - I had that sitting on computer, but didn't remember from whence it came.

Stanadyne seems to be doing it for me, but since I double dose (Performance + Lube versions) cost wise XPD is in the same ballpark. For an overall treatment, XPD is likely the next one I'd try if I ever move off Stanadyne.

There is other reasonable stuff out there (Howe's seems to have a decent rep), the important thing, IMO, is to consistently use something to prop up today's diesel fuel.

Rgds, D.

 

[hacleme]

Members,

I haven't owned a diesel engine in quite a while. I just bought a Deere 1026R SCUT with Yanmar 3cyl 1.1L diesel engine, so need some advice from you.

I work for a major OEM of generator sets that uses diesels, so I've kept up to date on engine design, etc. But - I am unsure what the status of diesel fuel & additives is.

Here in MN, USA, all pump diesel fuel must be ULSD (<15ppm sulfur), regardless if on or off highway engine per US Govt law. This was done in 2010. With the consequential reduction of lubricity when removing the sulfur, the fuel suppliers are SUPPOSED TO replenish lubricity via additives, but are they required to by law? Is there any consistency in adequate lubricity replenishment, or are we on our own & need to use supplemental additives?

These little diesel engines are a throwback to mechanical indirect injection, so I would think they would be sensitive to lubricity. My Yanmar has in in-line fuel injection pump. Don't know what the injection pressure is, likely lower than HPCR electronic injection. MN also mandates 10% biodiesel, I believe. I have read that it is a good lubricity agent, so as long as I buy only in MN is this sufficient?

Also, this engine being IDI, they need higher cetane to start & run well. Yanmar calls for 51 cetane, which is only availble in Europe! I have seen tests of U.S. pump diesel fuel where most cetane isn't much north of 40.

I have read much about Opti-Lube XPD diesel fuel additive and the wear ball scar test results. Do you all recommend it? Or would a cetane & winter additive be sufficient w/o lubricity agent?

Thanks much,

DeereMann :anyone:

Yes sir, all terminals are required to add lubricity to all ULSD and audited regularly by the IRS, State agency, & EPA for compliance. Third party testing is done on regular intervals for documentation.
As long a bio blend diesels meet a minium 5% blend (5% bio with 95% ULSD) there is no need for lubricity to be added. In the south our cetane runs around 44 to 45. If one wants to purchase additives for peace of mind then feel free. I test it and work daily with petroleum. I won't waste my money on additive unless it is offraod and where it is cold. Then I would purchase additives to prevent gelling or buy on road fuel.

 

[DeereMann]

I have an update for (some?) members: :stirthepot:

Diesel Fuel Lubricity:
In Minnesota, current state law requires all retail diesel fuel pumps to dispense at least 10% "biodiesel" blend diesel fuel. I believe I read this law's definition of biodiesel is per the recent ASTM specification in order to control quality. The famous Spicer report of 2007 clearly documents that biodiesel, even in low concentrations, was the best lubricity additive tested, and surpasses diesel fuel injection pump manufacturer's wear requirements. Footnote: MN is trying to increase biodiesel blend concentration to 20%, but is running into resistance from truckers over storage stability & winter pumpability concerns.

Pros: In MN, supplemental diesel fuel lubricity additives should not be needed.

Cons: (1) Enforcement of biodiesel is suspect (to me), as it is only a state, not federal, law. There is no associated quality labelling on the dispensing pumps like there is for federal USLD low sulfur limits, or for octane levels on gasoline pumps (also min. ethanol content in gasoline). (2) Biodiesel degrades much faster than refined diesel, leading to more questions about quality & freshness at the retail pumps, as well as for storage by the consumer. Are biocides added? Who knows? (3) Biodiesel congeals at higher temps. than refined diesel. This is a big deal for us in the northern U.S. For sure we need antigelling additive during the winter (use tractor for snowblowing).

Conclusion: Once again, we are back to not being able to tell for sure what is coming out of diesel fuel retail pumps in terms of labeling & enforcement. If the fuel truly does have 10% biodiesel in MN, no lubricity supplemental additive is necessary. But if it does not, the Spicer report clearly shows an additive is necessary. Since biodiesel is both a combustable fuel as well as a lubricity additive, there is no harm in adding supplemental lubricity additive to it. Therefore, we must still err on the safe side & add supplemental lubricity additive until such time as regulatory agencies label AND ENFORCE diesel fuel lubricity at the retail outlets.

Diesel Fuel Cetane:There is no state or federal mandate I am aware of for minimum cetane number in diesel fuel. Some surveys have shown most retail outlets in the U.S. have diesel fuel cetane numbers around 40, which is way too low for my engine (51 min. recommended). Biodiesel is supposed to improve (increase) cetane number. But again, nobody knows how much - there is no retail pump labeling or enforcement. We have "Premium" diesel fuel available in MN, but even this fuel has insufficient cetane number for my engine:
link--> Performance Fuels with extra power, reduced emissions, better mileage, faster cold weather starts and performance, environmental friendliness and other benefits which exceed industry premium diesel specifications.
Footnote: Premium diesel fuel is available at all Mills Fleet Farm fuel stations, some Kwik Trip stations, some Cenex stations, some Freedomvalu (Erickson) stations. MN only has 3 fuel wholesalers due to major oil company pullout of this remote market some decades ago. The Premium fuel is supplied by Flint Hills Resources refinery in Rosemount, MN (formerly known as Koch Bros., still owned by them - they changed the name to hide their reputation).

Conclusion: Supplemental diesel fuel cetane booster additive is always needed for my engine. Higher cetane also helps keep fuel system parts cleaner due to more complete combustion, but many diesel fuel cetane boosters also contain detergents to ensure fuel system cleanliness & longevity.

BOTTTOM LINE
In MN, we continue to be stuck with unknown diesel fuel content, as with most locations in the U.S. Various state government attempts to legislate content (mostly due to farm lobbyists) are questionable, at best. Until there are SUFFICIENT diesel fuel quality requirements enforced across the U.S., use a quality additive to ensure proper diesel engine performance & longevity. The fuel system is too expensive to risk to chance.

What do members think? :confused3:

 

[DeereMann]

Thanks much, hacleme.

I read that diesel fuel cetane in my area is not that good unless one can find premium diesel fuel, which is still not high enough for my little IDI engine.

I agree on the biodiesel - it is a good thing, if done correctly. "If done correctly" continues to be a question up here in MN. There is no way to know that I am aware of.

And of course, during the winter, we need blended & antigel additized fuel if one needs to run in the winter ( I do for snowblowing).

Thanks again,

DeereMann

Addendum: ULSD labelling at pump requires dispensed fuel to meet ASTM D975, which still does not meet Engine Manufacturer's Association lubricity recommendation of <460 mm wear scar. It only requires meeting <520 mm wear scar. Further, it defines biodiesel requirements, but does not enforce any requirement for biodiesel usage via any state regulation (ASTM is national standard, now international as well). So the most we can be assured of is all diesel fuel in the U.S. only provides some, but inadequate fuel system lubricity. Better than nothing, but not good enough.

 

[3930dave]

Legislation is one thing, enforcement another. Not saying anything about MN, I just don't have a high confidence in the enforcement in this area in my province.

Good quality biodiesel is mostly a good thing, IMO. One of the reasons I like having a good quality cleaner going through my road diesel all the time is re. travelling. Biodiesel itself typically is a good cleaner - if you regularily fuel up with zero content biodiesel diesel (my case, it is not common here), then travel to an area with really high Bio content, you can end up flushing a lot of crud into the fuel filter. Bad enough that you can plug a filter - not what I want even on an old diesel like my 7.3, but this can be really bad news on a more modern road diesel.

Rgds, D.