Nah, I gave up on ethanol experiments last June. The extra torque over a larger range (it came on earlier & quicker & was probably good for 30Nm - so I was pushing 350-370) was nice but you could tell it was ovefueling and the ECU / O2 sensors didn't have enough range to deal with the figures coming down the tailpipe so once in a blue moon you'd get a CEL that the readings were out of range. This would have been on about E20-E30 at 102-105ron. They fuel usage would skyrocket as expected but then would stay high for a few tanks when you reverted back to pure 98ron.
Physical signs that it was rich / oversooting were when I pulled out the O2 sensor near the #2 cat and it was quite coated. I burned it all clean with the blow torch I use for putting the toffee crust on a Creme Brulee and then cleaned the inner section where the sensor is with solvent.
At the moment it's like "I'm losing weight" and not knowing if it's because you have cancer or leading a healthy lifestyle.
carandimage The place where Off-Topic is On-Topic
I used to think I was anal-retentive until I started getting involved in car forums
carandimage The place where Off-Topic is On-Topic
I used to think I was anal-retentive until I started getting involved in car forums
I bought a 5L bottle of GW TC-W3 synthetic 2SO yesterday at SCA for $29. I have organised a 500ml bottle to keep in the boot, and I'll just put half in every fill up for a while and report back my results.
The last 2 tanks have had no 2SO and I noticed the engine noise (diesel ignition knock) is louder again for sure - and starting is back to pre 2SO amounts of cranking (wont always catch on the first crank).
Everyone keep in mind that my audi is a VP pump diesel with mechanical fuel injectors (spring loaded), and by common rail standards not high pressure injection.
'07 Touareg V6 TDI with air suspension
'98 Mk3 Cabriolet 2.0 8V
'99 A4 Quattro 1.8T
Don't forget that JASO FC mineral is the best grade to use. Fully synthetic does not burn completely in a diesel and TC-W3 has been observed not mixing well with diesel. JASO FC bonds with diesel and burns completely.
Glad to see you got some real results. It's irritating, to say the least, to be told it's a placebo effect and therefore all in your head, an illusion.
If I could work out how to insert an exel spreadsheet into a forum post I'd show you my fuel spreadsheet for the last 10 fills (even the last 7 years), 3 have been on 2SO and there's a definate improvement considering I'm driving faster (M5 is back to 100kmh and as 3 lanes).
carandimage The place where Off-Topic is On-Topic
I used to think I was anal-retentive until I started getting involved in car forums
Brad,
Can you take a screen shot and copy and paste that?
Heh, well perhaps I'll keep the synthetic for the boat and get some mineral stuff then.
'07 Touareg V6 TDI with air suspension
'98 Mk3 Cabriolet 2.0 8V
'99 A4 Quattro 1.8T
I did exactly the same thing and my 4L of Nulon super dooper fully synthetic TC-W3 is sitting in the garage ready to give the chainsaw a treat or to use if I ever get that tinny.
I haven't seen any issues with the Shell Nautilus TCW-3 mixing with diesel - I have it mixed in a yellow plastic jerry can when I go to track days and I see no signs of separation. I don't think it's pricey enough to be fully synthetic
Resident grumpy old fart
VW - Metallic Paint, Radial Tyres, Laminated Windscreen, Electric Windows, VW Alloy Wheels, Variable Geometry Exhaust Driven Supercharger, Direct Unit Fuel Injection, Adiabatic Ignition, MacPherson Struts front, Torsion Beam rear, Coil Springs, Hydraulic Dampers, Front Anti-Roll Bar, Disc Brakes, Bosch ECU, ABS
I can't see anything to say it's fully synthetic or even part synthetic.
TC-W3 is often used in the US in diesel by preference, in the forums that i've read but in Europe it gets the thumbs down. It might also be that it's lower in detergents for environmental reasons and can't clean as effectively? Maybe it's harder to get in Europe?
I decided to play safe and go back to low ash FC.
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