Hiclone question

Chesnut1

Just wondering if anyone has any thoughts on the use of Hiclones from a fuel effeciency point of view. I am thinking of getting these for my Discovery as the blurb says it helps with fuel consumption and emissions but so far I have not heard of anyone who has tried this. It's for a 300tdi 96 plate which I require as I live in a very rural area so lots of shortish journeys of 5 to 15 miles just incase that makes a difference.

anewman

Ok Google sorted the question most people will ask.

What is Hiclone?

Hiclone is a non moving ring shaped device that fits inside the air intake system of an internal combustion engine between the air filter and the engine manifold. Robustly constructed of stainless steel, it vigorously swirls the air as it is sucked into the engine, producing a better fuel/air mix which increases power, reduces emissions and improves mileage. To increase it's performance all turbo diesel kits consist of two hiclones.

Sounds like a waste of money and effort to me, just like those magnets around the fuel lines.

I wish someone would invent a magic button that inserts something particularly large and harmful up the anus of the scamsters who sell and promote this sort of stuff.

Wake me up when there is something that actually *does* increase MPG being sold that stands on it's own merits and doesn't need BS internet marketing. When there is something that *does* work, I am sure everyone will hear about it from people who use it and really do notice a significant, more than the moth ball in fuel tank placebo effect. But I doubt anything will ever surface, and it will be defunct with alternative fuels anyway.

Conor_3

Chesnut1 wrote: »

Just wondering if anyone has any thoughts on the use of Hiclones from a fuel effeciency point of view. I am thinking of getting these for my Discovery as the blurb says it helps with fuel consumption and emissions but so far I have not heard of anyone who has tried this. It's for a 300tdi 96 plate which I require as I live in a very rural area so lots of shortish journeys of 5 to 15 miles just incase that makes a difference.

It's a lump of metal that does nothing except part a fool with their money.

I find its claims quite funny because of how diesels work. The amount of air that flows into them is a constant no matter how wide open the throttle (unlike a petrol engine where the air drawn in changes with the throttle) so swirling it or whatever would achieve absolutely zero especially as fuel is injected directly into the cylinder, not the inlet manifold.

Perhaps you should email them about this and ask them how they can claim it improves economy on diesels...

Chesnut1

Thank you Conor for your imput, I was however wondering if there is a difference as it is a turbo diesel which varies the air intake pressure.

Conor_3

The same principle still applies. Basically, manufacturers spend a lot of money nowadays coming up with optimal designs due to emissions legislation. It's not like it used to be in the old carburettor days.

tomstickland

My first thoughts on seeing a picture of one
http://www.hiclone.co.uk/LAND%20ROVER%20WORLD.pdf
is that any benefits from swirling will be lost in increased flow resistance in the intake.

The website abounds with claims of 6-12% improvements in fuel economy. I find that hard to believe.

Whilst you're at it, you could combine one with a Turbo Zet
http://autospeed.com/cms/A_0237/article.html?popularArticle

Inactive

If it actually worked, we would all have heard about it, sadly we havn't.;)

tomstickland

We could build a car that has 50% better fuel economy than standard. Spec list:
fuel briquettes
magnetic fuel saver
hi clone
fuel additive
redex cleaned injectors
Optimax

must be some other amazing wonder products

Poppycat

On ITV "tonight" a couple of weeks ago they ran a program on saving fuel. There were several example like

1. changing to diesel from petrol (mini)
2. servicing the car
3. those magnet things
4. driving in economy mode not shoving foot down, reading the road etc

If my memory serves me right 4 and 2 were the best in terms of savings

http://www.itv.com/News/tonight/episodes/Petrolsavings/default.html


So here are the “Fuel’s Gold” tips on how to drive green.
• Keep your top speed to 65mph – fuel consumption rockets if you drive faster.
• Drive smoothly – don’t accelerate or brake hard.
• Watch the road ahead – try to slow down early to avoid stop-start, which uses more fuel.
• Don’t idle for long periods
• Don’t over load your car – Quentin suggests ‘bits of buildings’ should be left at home and not in the boot.
• Avoid air conditioning whenever possible
• Roof racks – especially if they’re loaded – cause drag and cut fuel efficiency. So do open windows.

Pew_Pew_Pew_Lasers!

Poppycat wrote: »

• Keep your top speed to 65mph – fuel consumption rockets if you drive faster.

A false generalisation.

Poppycat wrote: »

• Drive smoothly – don’t accelerate or brake hard.

Braking doesn't affect fuel consumption.

Poppycat wrote: »

• Avoid air conditioning whenever possible

Good idea if you like a damp car and sweaty occupants.

anewman

Pew_Pew_Pew_Lasers! wrote: »

A false generalisation.

I believe the correct generalisation is to drive highest possible gear with revs at peak torque for the engine. I noticed a significant MPG increase driving at 60mph compared with 70-75mph. Same journey length and noticeable difference at end on petrol gauge.

Pew_Pew_Pew_Lasers! wrote: »

Braking doesn't affect fuel consumption.

Not in and of itself. However, accelerating needlessly up to a red traffic light when you can't go through it anyway, and you have to brake to stop, *does* use fuel. Lights changing or red, lift off the gas pedal and let the engine braking work for you, then brake as needed. Saves wear on brakes too. Also try to anticipate the road and traffic conditions ahead for the same reasons.

Pew_Pew_Pew_Lasers! wrote: »

Good idea if you like a damp car and sweaty occupants.

Also the air con needs to be run reasonably regularly to keep the system in good condition. Although I think the point is if you use it routinely when not needed it will use that little more petrol.