Hello list. I need the help of as many members as possible in a project that I am working on. The hopeful results of this project will be a very simple method to "super tune" your 2.2 Isuzu diesel engine for better fuel mileage and performance.This project could be very helpful for the people using a alternative fuel as well.

Some background: I have done hundreds of test and spent many, many hours to perfect this method. I have developed a in depth mathematical spread sheet using excepted automotive math to predict what is happening in side the cylinder when combustion occurs.

First let me say that the only piece of test equipment that you need is a auto range multi meter that will read mili volts (at least 300 scale).

What I am doing is attaching the multi meter to the terminal at the glow plug bar where the cable from the battery attaches. I have extended the multi meter leads so I can see the meter inside the cab while driving.

This mili volt reading of the glow plugs gives me a relationship to the cylinder temperature and then I can compute the cylinder pressure from that.

As I have a dynamic timing light, I can tell my timing within one tenth of a degree at any rpm.

Now using the timing settings and the mili volt readings, I can predict the Cetane value (within 2.5 points) for the fuel I am using.

As long as I know two values I can mathematically predict the third value.

The hopeful results of this project is to work out very accurate mili volt readings that can be used to set the timing for the fuel you are using for the best performance and fuel mileage.

If there is interest in helping with this project, I will post the way I need the information tabulated..

Thanks in advance for your help,
crossbones

Interesting but wouldn't it me easier to just use a standard cetane test. I use cRM Litmus for my bio D batches

TX, Ive heard rumors, but how does the cetane of biodiesel compare to pump diesel. Im still in the quart jar test batch fase and I had borrwed some equip for that. Got a couple of stainless barrels ready though. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/evil.gif" alt="" />been tigging for about 4 years now. Worked at a specialty sheet metal shop fell in love w/ stainless. Might ask your advice when I start experimenting again. maybe look for some pointers on homade reactor.
86 4x4 turbo pup
other bigger diesel trucks

Shocked when I first started testing pump dino. Had some as low as 38 cetane post Katrina here in MS. Normally a place like Pilot Truck Stop will be about 41 -44 summer blend, Winter a little higher as there blending (anti-gel) gives the fuel a cetane boost. Wow Stainless would be the rave. I use some discarded acid drums (plastic) when I was brewing bio. Through this summer have been using SVO in the Benz's and the Isuzu's. John K

John, what does the cetane of bio usially come out to. How about the svo cetane. Ive hread on enternet that good bio is a bit higher than pumpdino. I would guess svo would be a bit lower than the pumpdino. What have you seen with the actual cetane reading?? What is it your testing with and were can I get some cheep <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> For bio did u use litmus paper to check ph before final rinse? My friend used wallmart litmus his swimpool, wonder if would work with bio. I really would like to start producing bio. I sold a 1000 gallons plus of my suppliers fuel 2 days ago. At 1.65 a gallon Im sure HE maid a healthy profit. Lyle

Please post how you are testing the cetane value of diesel fuel.
thanks,
crossbones

cRM Red Litmus (not to be confused with testing PH)
This is the cheap method - go to the general avaition side of any decent size airport where they sell pilot supplies and ask for cetane test kit -cheap. The pack I bought is called "cRM Testing". It's used for pilots to test cetane of batches of jet fuel. Remember Jet fuel is highly refined diesel. As accurate as you personal color perception. The electronic versions are not that expensive.
Normal Cetane Readings
#2 D 40 - 45
#1 D 48 - 52
Bio D 46 - 52
Bio D with animal Fat content 56 - 60