2 stroke diesel

[David]

Having used Redex in the past with no discernible results, I have been reading up on the advantages of adding 2-stroke oil to diesel. As I have an old oil burner I thought I would give it a try and bought Asda finest (£5 for 1 litre) and dropped half of it in the tank.

I really wasn't expecting much but I have to say there is a difference.
Smoother running - slight hesitation has disappeared.
More responsive pick up.
Slightly quieter running.
Less smoke.
Don't know if the mpg has improved but I would assume if it makes a difference to running it may improve the mpg.

The acid test - even Anne, my wife, mentioned it ran better 

Now I know it may simply be a placebo effect, but I was not expecting any difference, yet there appears to be some improvement.

[indianbob]

Two stroke oil is pretty good too in late model diesels every now and again to lube the pumps, and helps lube valve guides in old engines that have limited lubrication to that area, such as old side valves. I've got quite a few old indians, and valve guides last a lot longer with a small amount of 2- stroke, so maybe the same with 3 litres? Have to give it a try!

[Deleted]

I've been conducting a long term test of using a low ash two stroke oil in a four stroke diesel.
The vehicle is an old London taxi running the 2.7 Nissan with well over 400,000 on the clock.
MPG is slightly improved but the biggest benefit is the vast reduction of diesel knock and general clatter especially when cold.Optimal dosing seems to be one part per 100 for a noticeable effect.I believe a lot of the difference is the increased lubricity of the mixed fuel,this has been born out by some extensive laboratory testing in the US where decreased wear levels were measured on pumps. The same testing reported that ATF had a similar but less pronounced difference but that ordinary oil made it worse (although not as much as used oil).
Maybe the reduction of sulphur in modern diesels is the reason this improvement occurs or the same effect would have been noticeable before is debateable but as we are forced to use ever more doctored fuel it seems as though more problems will occur as vehicles designed to run on fuel of a certain type are run on another.

[David]

Good to read that you have also found a difference. Mine is a 1995 2.8 engine (Shogun) so fairly basic and without a particulate filter. As you say start up is easier and less noisy and pickup up is definitely smoother.

Kev, do you add it at each fill up?

[Warwick]

I've been using this in my 406 STDT since low-sulphur diesel killed the original pump 5 1/2 years ago.
www.flashlube.com/en/products/diesel-fuel-conditioner.html

The sulphur compounds add an increased lubricating property to the fuel, and the additive replaces that slipperiness when the sulphur is removed.

I haven't quite used all of the 5-litre container I bought back then.

[Deleted]

Yes David I add a dose every time I fill.I normally put the same amount of fuel in and dose up with about 100 to 1. It seems as though the mix isn't critical I notice no real improvement if using more.
I use a cheapo oil from Wilkinsons the extra cost is well worth the difference.Like you I worried that I was simply being convinced by some sort of placebo effect but other people who've driven or ridden in the taxi with and without the oil added have been able to tell the difference.I notice with the oil added it is very difficult to hear the change into OD top whereas it is relatively easy to hear it without.
I've had no problems with filters clogging or injector fouling and although the london taxis do clock up enormous mileages naturally,it does no harm to add a little bit of extra lubrication to replace that lost on modern fuels.

[David]

I understand the engine used in the Shogun was similar to the one used in many taxis?
Anyway thanks Kev and Warwick for your input.

[Deleted]

The engine in the Fairway series is a 2.7 litre Nissan Diesel.Normally aspirated although the later ones are turbo.They really are a pretty unsophisticated lump but incredibly long lasting,400,000 is pretty common and 500,000 by no means exceptional.
If it hadn''t have been for Boris and Ken ordering the scrapping of them under what seems rather dubious 'enviromental' grounds (their successors use the same engine) they would probably still be clattering round London long after we're all pushing up daisies.
Having said that these taxis rust in places even a P5 doesn't, so maybe not.

[Warwick]

The 2.1-litre 3-valve engine in the 406 has just turned over 420,000km but I don't think the clutch is going to make it to 500,000km.

[David]

Congrats Warwick, 2,500 posts!

[Deleted]

Yes well done Warwick! Mostly at lunch time you say. Do you eat more or less as a result?!l

[Warwick]

Thanks David and Peter. Not quite as embarrassing as it was when I stopped being identified as a Rover Rookie several years ago, despite having a very high degree of P5B rookiness at the time.

It's not lunchtime now Peter, but I've had a busy weekend, starting on Thursday night with an attack of the lurgi, followed by friends and relatives visiting for junior's birthday - so I've got several days of forum reading to catch up on - and things are slow at work.