At 55 yrs old, it takes a bit to surpise me.
I've owned diesel 4wds for over 20 years, and done most of the
services myself.
Like most , over that time I have looked into oil/fuel additives, and end up either confused or sceptical.
Well - I have been made to learn one new trick.
(And I am semi retired, do not sell anything, and have no stake in any auto products or company ...blah blah blah...).
My current vehicle is a Nissan Patrol 4.2 TD - 1999
I bought it 3rd hand. It now has 160,000klms on the clock.
Being a pre-combustion engine their design ensures they produce carbon, and hence black oil (as some carbon bypasses the rings).
Normally after an oil change, the new oil is black within about 30 seconds.
I have just done an oil change, and after 320 klms, it is as clean as it was when I poured it in. That 320 klms includes some (limited) 4wd work, plus highway speeds at 110 klms/hr with the air con on. I keep pulling the dip stick and showing it to friends, because it damn
well amazes me.
And this is EXACTLY the same brand/product of oil, and same brand/model of oil filter. Apples for apples. (for the record Penrite HPR Diesel 15; Ryco Z503).
NEVER has that happened before. Petrol engines yes - Diesels NEVER, and particularly pre-combustion diesels.
OK - so cut to the chase. There are 2 'additives' - (that dirty word)
1. an oil flush ; 2. a diesel fuel additive - FTC decarbonizer.
First I ran some of the fuel additive.
About 24 hours later (say about 30 klms) I drained the old oil. Added new oil. Then added
CEM flush. (
CEM is a sponsor on Exploroz by the way).
Drove it for 30 minutes. Drained the oil. Added new oil and new filters.
Thats it.
Yes it means I paid for an extra 10Ltrs oil - 2 oil changes, but that ensures the flush is cleaning the engine rather than the carbon load in the old oil).
I keep pulling the dip stick out expecting it to show black oil - but it is clean.
Now I fully expect it to turn black sometime.
But 320 klms of my heavy foot is just damn amazing.
Theory is the flush cleans the cross hatch in the
bore, and the carbon around the piston ring grooves freeing up the rings. The decarbonizer helps the fuel burn more fully - hence CO2 rather than carbon particles.
I am not a qualified mechanic, but 20 years of diesels this is the first time I have seen clean engine oil on the dip stick.
Well - there you have it. Will try and give a follow-up every 1000 klms.
(For the record, I did meet the owner of
CEM about 22 years ago it turns out.
Havn't seen or spoken to him since).
regards.....................Keith