2 stroke oil (2SO) as an additive to diesel fuel

[gldgti]

To all interested in this topic - I'd REALLY appreciate if we could keep opinions to a minimum and stick to a representation of evidence if at all possible.

I think Transporter has made his opinion abundantly clear, and noone else need try to justify or promote the use of 2SO in fuel either.

The fact is that 2SO is not a dedicated diesel fuel additive, for whatever that may be worth, ofcourse you run it at your own risk, and as long as you arent doing anything illegal in adding it to your diesel (you arent as far as I'm aware) then theres no reason to qualify it any further than that.

From now on, please all lets just keep to the science and steer clear of the opinion.... hopeful I know, but hey I'm a glass half full kinda guy

In that light, I can report that my fuel economy from the last tank sucked bigtime, but that might be more to do with the fact I towed around my 600kg duel axle trailer full of building supplies for around 250km. So yeah, results for this tank are invalid!

[kaanage]

Back to facts and observations.

I have been using TCW-3 for a while now after starting out with JASO FB (in my PD non-DPF Polo) and FC (in our CR DPF Golf).
Why did I change? Cost - I was able to buy a lot of TCW-3 very cheaply when Shell repackaged their Nautilus outboard oil.

I haven't found any difference between using the JASO and TCW-3 oils.

With noise, it would actually be interesting to measure both the volume and the frequency difference as I suspect that better lubrication may shift the frequency of injector and pump noises downwards rather than altering the volume much as high frequency sounds are often perceived as being louder. But I also suspect that isolating a recording from other noises would be very difficult.

[kaanage]

Sorry, I meant the other noises inherent in a running diesel engine (fans, inlet, exhaust...), not the general ambient condition

[CardinalSin]

Back to facts and observations.
With noise, it would actually be interesting to measure both the volume and the frequency difference as I suspect that better lubrication may shift the frequency of injector and pump noises downwards rather than altering the volume much as high frequency sounds are often perceived as being louder. But I also suspect that isolating a recording from other noises would be very difficult.

You would also need to make sure that you had got rid of all the 2SO to test the sound because even small amounts make a difference.
The Subaru 2L port and direct injection NA petrol engine has a common fault when using fuel with ethanol. The HP pump for the DI can get noisy and make a chirping sound as the ethanol is not a good lubricant. Positive results have been had using 2SO as diluted as 1:1000 in the fuel to shut it up and virtually instantly. The max you can use in a petrol motor is about 1:500 and again I have never seen any negative reports, only positive or nothing changed.

It would also be a pointless exercise on an engine that gave no noticeable signs of running quieter after adding 2SO.
I would imagine, after the results I had with the Mitsubishi 2.5 CRD, that most noisy diesels would benefit and run much quieter.
The VW 2L is very quiet but mine is now exceptionally quiet.

[putney40]

... that most noisy diesels would benefit and run much quieter.
The VW 2L is very quiet but mine is now exceptionally quiet.

+1

Whitworths Marine have Sunbrite TC-W3 on special $22 for 3.8 litres (1 US gallon) - the stuff I use.

[CardinalSin]

+1

Whitworths Marine have Sunbrite TC-W3 on special $22 for 3.8 litres (1 US gallon) - the stuff I use.

Good price. That's less than half the price I can get the Valvoline TC-W3 and only about a dollar for the average fill up.
I usually fill up after about 600km and add 1/3 of the km in ml's so 200ml, then fill her up so it's well blended.

[kaanage]

But those who do buy it do it for quieter running due to lower injector and pump noises, reduced smoke (including before and after results in emissions tests during annual vehicle inspections), cleaner injector nozzles and smoother running.

People should try before expressing opinions and coming up with conjecture and speculation - if it makes no difference or has adverse effects, then by all means post up your observations.

[Ryeman]

You have to ask yourself why the highly qualified industrial lubricant and fuel engineers don't know about 2so's benefits.
Could it be because of the potential downside over time or is it more of an emissions issue?

[kaanage]

Or it doesn't generate as much profit as a dedicated additive (which they can charge more for)? This is as valid a piece of speculation as yours.

Here's an experience from someone else on this forum

BTW: On Friday I put 50ml of the 10 year old Stihl / Castrol 2SO was sitting on the shelf at home & then added 1 litre of 50:1 premix because it was looking a bit stale. I figure thats about 1000:1 ratio in my petrol. I've thought nothing of it until this discussion.
Here's an interesting observation: Usually in the commute from home to where the motoraway starts (5km) I think I'm going well if the avg economy slips below 10L/100km. The last 2 days it's been below 9L/100km. So, 2 stroke fuel / better run of lights / less traffic overall / ideal air temperature (24c)? Who knows. It will be interesting to see how it goes long term.

[brad]

You have to ask yourself why the highly qualified industrial lubricant and fuel engineers don't know about 2so's benefits.
Could it be because of the potential downside over time or is it more of an emissions issue?

If you take the time to read the MSDSs for the various products you'll find many common ingredients (eg: hydrotreated light petroleum distillates; petroleum naptha) in 2SO and some of the diesel & petrol additives. Some of the minor ingredients (<1% volume) are different but the carrier fluid is similar / the same.

If I was a specialist in the field and 2SO was worth $12/L and diesel additive was $24/L and they both contained the same basic ingredients & did a similar job I wouldn't publicise it too much either.

Warning: slightly off topic: It's similar to when i had a Macintosh LC475 computer. You could change two surface mount resistors and change the clock speed from 25Mhz to the same 33Mhz clock as a more expensive model. Apple didn't tell anyone this because (obviously) they would buy the cheaper model & Apple would lose the fatter profit margin. Same as above, why would you market that 2 stroke fuel was a diesel additive for $12/L when you can add/remove some of the additive pack & sell it as Diesel Additive for $24/L???