Diesel Engine Maintenance

Malarky21

I've asked the dealer to replace the timing belt which they are doing, What is millers?

Bigwheels1111

This is what I use, Halfords have it @£12.99.

Millers Diesel Power Ecomax 500ml

Malarky21

How often do you use that and what is the benefit?

Goudy

There is a known fact that diesel fuel with higher cetane rating burns more evenly than diesel fuel with lower cetane rating as the higher rating fuel has a shorter ignition delay which means it self ignites quicker and more completely.

The most noteable effect is a smoother, quieter engine as it reduces engine knock, but it also affects the exhaust gases. As the fuel burns more completely it reduces particulate matter and hydrocarbons. It was also produce slightly more power as more of the fuel is burnt, which means you should need slighly less.

But it's this particulate matter can cause all sorts of problems for a modern diesel.
Not only clogging DPF's, but it also known to cause trouble with clogging EGRs, intake manifolds and turbo wastegates or vanes in variable geometry turbos.

The main chemical that is used to improve cetane is 2 EHN which is added in various amounts to pump diesel, but it also makes up the majority of most diesel fuel treatments.

So using a better quality fuel which has a higher cetane rating and/or the right fuel additive which is high in 2 EHN regularly should help with some of the problems associated with particulate matter.

How much it helps and if you need it has been debated over and over.
The main arguements against seems to come down to cost or that the manufacturer designed the engine to run on a certain rated fuel in the first place. 

The arguements for tend to be based on it being a legitimate claim that's been proven and unlike a sparked timed petrol engine that may or may not be set to make use of higher rated fuel, the way a diesel engine ignites it's fuel means it's naturally able to benefit from a quicker, even and more complete burn.

jimjames

Just checked on 2 diesel cars that I've previously owned. All run on supermarket fuel but serviced regularly. Both nearing 300,000 miles and both still running.

facade

Goudy said:

There is a known fact that diesel fuel with higher cetane rating burns more evenly than diesel fuel with lower cetane rating as the higher rating fuel has a shorter ignition delay which means it self ignites quicker and more completely.

The most noteable effect is a smoother, quieter engine as it reduces engine knock, but it also affects the exhaust gases. As the fuel burns more completely it reduces particulate matter and hydrocarbons. It was also produce slightly more power as more of the fuel is burnt, which means you should need slighly less.

But it's this particulate matter can cause all sorts of problems for a modern diesel.
Not only clogging DPF's, but it also known to cause trouble with clogging EGRs, intake manifolds and turbo wastegates or vanes in variable geometry turbos.

The main chemical that is used to improve cetane is 2 EHN which is added in various amounts to pump diesel, but it also makes up the majority of most diesel fuel treatments.

So using a better quality fuel which has a higher cetane rating and/or the right fuel additive which is high in 2 EHN regularly should help with some of the problems associated with particulate matter.

You can buy 2-EHN (2-Ethyl-Hexyl Nitrate) by the gallon, e.g. powerenhancer sell it for £36.95, which is enough to treat 5000 litres of fuel, works out at less than a penny to treat a litre of fuel yourself, so you could use cheap diesel and uprate it to premium spec. 

Malarky21

So is the millers diesel power eco max the same as 2EHN?

motorguy

Malarky21 said:

How often do you use that and what is the benefit?

When i ran diesels i used this and added it to every tankful.  It meant i was assured of a consistent additive per tank.  I ran my cars on supermarket diesel, then put the additive in.

DO service the car every 9,000 at most.  Some service intervals for diesels are scarily high at 18-20,000 miles.  Also do check the oil level regularly.  Diesel cars can sometimes use a bit of oil, and a low oil level will become problematic

Goudy

Malarky21 said:

So is the millers diesel power eco max the same as 2EHN?

It's between 70 and 90% 2 EHN.
https://www.millersoils.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/6204.pdf

The other ingredients are:
Naphtha is a solvent.
Naphthalene is a surfactant.
Limonene is the oil found in citrus peel, likely there for the smell though it does have solvent properties.

eamon

I also 2nd regular oil & filter changes even more so if you are low annual mileage. That and getting the cam belt & water cooler changed at the recommended interval. Diesel engined vehicles (even the smallest ones) can do serious distances when treated well. Was once in a taxi that was near 750k miles and was only the reg & seats that gave it away. The issue that the OP may have is the presence of a DPF and getting it through its next emissions section of the MOT.

My car doesn't have a DPF. Previously a garage that I used got me to buy & use an additive prior to an MOT retest I will never know if the high speed drive or the additive before the retest worked or not. What do know is that I didn't use an additive before last MOT and the car passed. Different garage though. I suspect that the cost of the additive made up the difference in the reduced cost MOT.