For over 22 years, Opti-Lube has been extending equipment & vehicle life through improved lubrication. Opti-lube and Diesel Fuel General Information Sheet
Since Rudolf Diesel patented the Diesel engine in 1898, the diesel engine has been widely recognized for its reliability, low-end torque and higher efficiency than gasoline engines. In 2006 the Environmental Protection Agency fully mandated tha
t ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD) be used in all on-highway diesel vehicles. This fuel burns cleaner and is less polluting than its predecessor; however ULSD has a lower lubricity and cetane rating. Depending on the exact type of fuel used, its cetane rating (combustion quality), the amount of moisture in the fuel, and the age of the fuel among many other factors affect the emission level the engine produces. The question is however, to what extent does this affect the diesel engine that is in so many of today’s vehicles? A number of important factors come up when this question is asked;
Cetane; Cetane number or CN is a measurement of the combustion quality of diesel fuel during compression ignition. Diesel engines will operate fine on any cetane rating between 40 to 55, but the higher the number, the shorter the ignition delay is, and the more complete and efficient the combustion cycle becomes. Lubricity; As diesel fuel is further refined to remove the polluting sulfur, it is inadvertently stripped of its lubricating properties. This vital lubrication is a necessary component of the diesel fuel as it prevents wear in the fuel delivery system. Specifically, it lubricates pumps, high pressure pumps and injectors. ULSD fuel is considered to be very “dry” and incapable of lubricating vital fuel delivery components. As a result, these components are at risk of premature and even catastrophic failure when ULSD fuel is introduced to the system. As a result, all oil companies producing ULSD fuel must replace the lost lubricity with some limited additives. Injector Cleanliness Additives; Fuel can form deposits in the nozzle area of injectors. Excessive deposits can interfere with the spray pattern which, in turn, may hinder the fuel-air mixing process. This can effect fuel economy and increase emissions. Additives can re-dissolve deposits that have already formed and reduce the opportunity for deposits to form in the future. Gelling; you’ve probably heard that the biggest problem with running diesels in cold weather is the tendency of the fuel to gel. No. 2 diesel contains some naturally occurring paraffin (wax) and as the temperature drops, this paraffin crystallizes and affects the fluidity of the fuel and may cause hard starting and eventually lead to filter plugging. This usually happens around +10 degrees F. but can happen at higher or lower temperatures depending on fuel characteristics. Water Separation: Free moisture (water droplets) in fuel can disrupt and damage the entire fuel distribution system and engine. Free moisture accumulates when a fuel pushed beyond its ability to solubilize more moisture. It enters the fuel tank in a variety of ways including climate, fuel characteristics, condensation, storage tank installation practices and fuel handling procedures. Moisture can cause rust, corrosion and plugging of fuel lines and filters due to icing in cold temperatures. Opti-Lube fuel additives include a demulsifying chemical that separates the moisture from fuel where it can be collected in the fuel filter or fuel separator to prohibit it from entering the engine. Opti-Lube; With these factors in mind, Opti-lube addresses all of these issues. Opti-Lube XPD is our most popular product, with the highest level of lubrication and has ingredients to boost cetane and prevent gelling in cold weather. Opti-Lube Winter Diesel Fuel Improver is suggested for extreme cold climates, where temperatures regularly fall below zero. This product also contains a cetane improver and provides excellent lubrication. Opti-Lube Summer/Warm Climate Blend provides excellent lubrication, but does not contain anti-gelling protection or a cetane improver. Because of the low treatment ratio (3000:1), this is our most economical product.
