X5D: does anyone use a cetane booster

[JonM]

Is anyone currently using a cetane booster (like the Royal Purple one, for example) on a regular basis? If so can you post about your experiences?

[ixlr8]

I don't have a X5d, I have a X5i. But I did use a lubrication additive to the fuel I put in my VW TDI diesels. The fuel sold in the US meets the US standards for lubrication, barely... but it does not meet the VW Bosch pump spec so in a VW it is a good idea to add some. I have no idea how the lubrication spec for the BMW pump compares with the US fuel standards. But it would be something I would look into and put in a lubrication additive if one is needed. These pumps are very expensive and if you trash one, the entire fuel system needs replacing.
The lubrication additive I used in my VW was also a Cetane booster, 3-4 points, and maybe, just maybe, the engine was a little quieter with it. Other than that I didn't notice any difference.

[JonM]

ixlr8, I agree with all your points. I know BMW says use no additives, but I also know not all diesel fuel is the same.

It is a small hassle to add it but also seems like it could not hurt to use it... either Royal Purple, Liqui Moly, etc.

[MotoWPK]

Except the high pressure fuel pumps in the VW's and BMW's are not the same. They are both manufactured by Bosch, but are very different pumps. Where there has been a history of failures in common rail VW's (on the order of a few percent), failures in BMW's are extremely rare.

Also, Bosch's specification with regard to lubrication is that the diesel fuel used (in the US) must meet ASTM D975 (which includes an HFRR rating of 520 max), which is the standard fuel specification here.

[stewy604]

No additives in mine as of yet, just over 70k on the odo...I've been following the 'no additives' rule.

[motex]

Diesel Kleen since day 1 (http://powerservice.com/psp_product/...-cetane-boost/)

[MattBianco]

I have not used one, but 42pilot who is amongst most knowledgeable people one may come across about engines (both diesels and gassers), uses an additive. He has commented about it in other threads, and that he uses it on his diesel pick up truck as well.

I have been too lazy to do this, especially as the primary driver is my wife, who does the refueling most of the time.

[42pilot]

I don't use it for boosting cetane rating. I use it for fuel conditioning, fuel system cleaning and lubricity. If it positively affects the cetane rating, then even better. With fuel injectors using piezo technology and fuel pressures over 30,000 psi, you need a clean fuel with lubrication properties that will keep injectors working properly. Think of our injectors working or injecting fuel 6 times per event at 2500 rpm for an hour. That's nearly a quarter of a million operations in an hour on a four stroke diesel engine. My pick up has over 120,000 miles on it and I use an additive very other tank. The injectors were tested two weeks ago at the dealer and showed equal fuel delivery across all 8 injectors. Not bad since their life expectancy is less than 150,000 miles and mine are perfect. So far....

Also, if you use an additive and notice a difference in any way, you already have engine problems.

[motex]

Originally Posted by 42pilot

I don't use it for boosting cetane rating. I use it for fuel conditioning, fuel system cleaning and lubricity. If it positively affects the cetane rating, then even better. With fuel injectors using piezo technology and fuel pressures over 30,000 psi, you need a clean fuel with lubrication properties that will keep injectors working properly. Think of our injectors working or injecting fuel 6 times per event at 2500 rpm for an hour. That's nearly a quarter of a million operations in an hour on a four stroke diesel engine. My pick up has over 120,000 miles on it and I use an additive very other tank. The injectors were tested two weeks ago at the dealer and showed equal fuel delivery across all 8 injectors. Not bad since their life expectancy is less than 150,000 miles and mine are perfect. So far....

Also, if you use an additive and notice a difference in any way, you already have engine problems.

+1
Since ULSD (ultra low sulfur diesel) is here, Diesel fuels have lost some conditions that were given back in the days from the sulfur that is almost gone (power and lubricity mostly) so the main reason for me using Diesel Kleen is to treat the fuel with lubricants and also have a cetane boost, our Diesel here in Costa Rica has come from 5000 PPM's (parts per million of sulfur) to less than 50, the new ULSD is "too dry" and can have a bad impact on engine parts (fuel pump mostly) and engine gaskets, I have been using this aditive for almost 10 years on my cars and company trucks, no issue and the engines never had to be overhauled

[igom3]

Originally Posted by 42pilot

I don't use it for boosting cetane rating. I use it for fuel conditioning, fuel system cleaning and lubricity. If it positively affects the cetane rating, then even better. With fuel injectors using piezo technology and fuel pressures over 30,000 psi, you need a clean fuel with lubrication properties that will keep injectors working properly. Think of our injectors working or injecting fuel 6 times per event at 2500 rpm for an hour. That's nearly a quarter of a million operations in an hour on a four stroke diesel engine. My pick up has over 120,000 miles on it and I use an additive very other tank. The injectors were tested two weeks ago at the dealer and showed equal fuel delivery across all 8 injectors. Not bad since their life expectancy is less than 150,000 miles and mine are perfect. So far....

Also, if you use an additive and notice a difference in any way, you already have engine problems.

Which additive you are using. Thanks

[42pilot]

Originally Posted by igom3

Which additive you are using. Thanks

BMW - Howse, Diesel Kleen or Stanadyne

Pickup - Walmart Tec3 2 cycle oil (no emissions on the Powerstroke) or any of the above.

Any of the above listed with the BMW are fine and really no difference we will notice. If you had a fleet of 50 trucks and paid for your own maintenance, you would be guided by cost, using any of the above three. There aren't any magic potions, so buy what is most convenient - buy large quantities at Walmart, then prepare 8 oz bottles for the fill.

[igom3]

Thank you