Some diesel car owners like to add a little two-stroke oil to their fuel tank to lubricate the fuel system. Sometimes people also use regular motor oil. And here comes the question: Is adding 2-stroke oil to diesel fuel safe and effective?
Fuel system needs lubrication
The fuel system and top of your engine require lubrication to keep engine components from wearing out. Diesels are basically designed so that this lubrication is provided by the diesel fuel itself. The wax compounds and sulfur in diesel fuel lubricate the fuel pump and injectors, helping to combat wear. Without them, high-tech components in modern diesels, especially high-pressure common rail engines, can wear or form deposits that prevent optimal performance, reducing engine power and fuel economy.
However, the problem is that today's ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel has significantly less lubricity
The ASTM standard for diesel fuel is basically intended to control a minimum level of lubricity, but unfortunately it is not as much as engine manufacturers require. For some time now, new standards for diesel fuels have mandated a reduction in sulfur to limit harmful emissions. Petrol sold at gas stations contains a maximum of only 15 ppm of sulphur, compared to up to 5,000 ppm in diesel fuels used before the new regulations.
I doubt anyone would object to cleaner air. But reduced sulfur naphtha definitely has the negative effect of reduced lubrication of the diesel fuel pumps, injectors and top of the engine. Since a complete replacement of the injection system can cost thousands of leva, some diesel enthusiasts add a little two-stroke engine oil to the diesel fuel to restore its lost lubricating properties as a precaution.
Is it safe to add 2-stroke oil to diesel?
Basically yes, but not recommended. Instead, use diesel fuel additives designed to keep the combustion chamber clean and lubricate the fuel system. They work better and are much easier to use than dispensing 2-stroke oil and pouring it into the fuel tank. But if you still want to pour oil into the diesel, but know that the proportion is 1:200 - that is, one liter of two-stroke oil for 200 liters of diesel fuel, or a maximum of 20 milliliters of oil for every ten liters of diesel. Be precise with the dosage, because an excessive amount of oil in the fuel is also not good for the main units and aggregates.
