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Diesel powered vehicles have grown in popularity over the last 15 years due to the introduction of advanced, high pressure, direct injection fuel systems that enable improved emissions, power and a more desirable driving experience. However, such vehicles only perform optimally when the fuel system is in a clean condition. When deposits form inside the injector nozzle holes, a measurable deterioration in power is observed. The CEC F-98-08 Peugeot DW10 engine test was introduced in 2008 in order to evaluate the nozzle fouling propensity of fuels and the beneficial effect of deposit control additives. Papers have been published demonstrating such effects, in particular the propensity of zinc and biodiesel contaminants to cause injector fouling and the performance of additives in both deposit control (keep clean) and removal (clean-up) modes.

There are a number of well known performance concerns that have the potential to negatively impact the increasing use of fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) as alternative fuels in diesel engine equipped vehicles. These issues affect the perception of FAMEs as a quality alternative to mineral oil derived fuels. This paper describes a study to assess the impact of rapeseed methyl ester (RME) fuel on performance parameters, such as injector fouling, corrosion, water separation and fuel foaming tendency. The effect on RME quality of treatment with multifunctional diesel fuel additive, containing dispersant, demulsifier, anti-foamant and anti-corrosion components, is also investigated and shown to provide significant improvements to the base properties of these fuels.