Warning ALL Diesel Owners, Random poor quality fuel - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

whunter · #1 12-05-2011, 02:00 AM

For three months there has been a high (and rising) volume of calls from owners experiencing EXTREME POOR QUALITY FUEL...
There is no discernible pattern across North America.

I strongly recommend diesel owners begin carrying a quart bottle of Cetane Boost additive.

Symptoms are abrupt, after filling the fuel tank:
* Massive smoking.
* Vile stench from the exhaust pipe.
* Stumbling or nailing.
* Moderate to extreme power loss.
* Some cases the fuel was bad enough to shutdown the engine.

My personal experience with this issue.
bad smelling fuel, Gag, gasp, choke

.

martureo · #2 12-05-2011, 02:06 AM

Man, that news would've saved me a few bucks. I've been trying to diagnose sudden smoking from my 300D. I'll let you know soon if the cetane boost helps.

Filling at the same high volume Sunoco for three years, started smoking 4 months ago. Funny as it's right next to the MB dealer.

Rooster300SD · #3 12-05-2011, 02:11 AM

Everyone who has problems please list the station you went to.

Jeff

pawoSD · #4 12-05-2011, 02:27 AM

No issues so far.....I tend to stick to high volume/reputable stations though.

mike-81-240d · #5 12-05-2011, 02:42 AM

Loss of power, smoke, and poor economy. Been filling up at cheveron for 6 months.

piccolovic · #6 12-05-2011, 09:24 AM

YIKES!!!!! Also, if you must make your own substitute, can mix one gallon of gas with 1/2 gal of 30-wt. oil. It also appears in many original owner's manuals. Roomie, who grew up with the "ugly boxy practical cars" overseas, decided she had to love my "taxi" when doing hurricane evacuation preparation a few years ago. When she found out the alternatives for fuel (including a couple gals of Wesson Oil) in a pinch to get out of Florida/path of a hurricane, she became very impressed.

Also, for good upper cylinder lubrication, use Lucas or 2-stroke outboard motor oil (same thing as lucas sans the injector cleaner).

benhogan · #7 12-05-2011, 09:32 AM

what does poor quality diesel mean?

is there a consensus as to what the specific issue? is it algae or water or something else?

thanks for the heads up.

Dave Donaldson · #8 12-07-2011, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by piccolovic

YIKES!!!!! Also, if you must make your own substitute, can mix one gallon of gas with 1/2 gal of 30-wt. oil. It also appears in many original owner's manuals. Roomie, who grew up with the "ugly boxy practical cars" overseas, decided she had to love my "taxi" when doing hurricane evacuation preparation a few years ago. When she found out the alternatives for fuel (including a couple gals of Wesson Oil) in a pinch to get out of Florida/path of a hurricane, she became very impressed.

Also, for good upper cylinder lubrication, use Lucas or 2-stroke outboard motor oil (same thing as lucas sans the injector cleaner).

Can we use a 10 - 30 wieght oil // and or auto trans oil in a pinch ?
Just in case me wiffy adds gas to the beast,,, some day down the road,, :}

whunter · #9 12-08-2011, 01:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave Donaldson

Can we use a 10 - 30 weight oil // and or auto trans oil in a pinch ?
Just in case me wiffy adds gas to the beast,,, some day down the road,, :}

YES.
Many owners use that trick to avoid draining the tank.
I have used it with great success.

compress ignite · #10 12-10-2011, 04:21 AM

is shipped Overseas.(And the trans-shipped Diesel ain't no lousy 40-45 Cetane.)

Any CRAP diesel fuel that the O.C. s Know they better not try and sell in Europe
will be "Dumped" into the U.S. system.
This is STILL part of the Diesel Game the refiners have gotten away with the
last 30 years.

Diesel is almost a by-product of Gasoline refining and the actual Diesel refining
costs are 1/10 of the retail pricing we're all being Gouged With.

StaggerLee · #11 12-13-2011, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mike-81-240d

Loss of power, smoke, and poor economy. Been filling up at cheveron for 6 months.

Mike - Check out the Union 76 station on 100th just North of 132nd...North past Juanita bay, 116th, 124th, 132nd and it's 2 more lights on the left side. I've always had good luck with their fuel. AND its under $4 right now.

rmmagow · #12 12-14-2011, 04:35 PM

This is weird, I was just going to post a question asking why my 85 300D suddenly feels like it has a lot more power and is running so well as I've done nothing to it. I only get fuel at 2 stations, a Sunoco near home and a no-name near work. 100 miles a day, 60~70 MPH mostly hiway and about 28 MPG.

vstech · #13 12-05-2011, 09:58 AM

sooo... walmart's Murphy fuel is likely a problem?

andrewjtx · #14 12-05-2011, 10:15 AM

I've noticed increased smoke last few tanks...

retmil46 · #15 12-05-2011, 09:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andrewjtx

I've noticed increased smoke last few tanks...

Hmmmm. TXLED fuel in that part of Texas is supposedly mandated to be minimum 45 cetane.

Every tank, on the Jeep CRD or 300D, I ALWAYS mix in 8 oz PS and 8 oz 2 stroke oil.

Note on biocide - about a month ago, found out that the local West Marine carried 32 oz bottles of Valvtect Biocide for $39.