just returned from amsterdam after a wonderful vacation there.the dutch must be using better fuel because all of the numerous mercedes and other make diesels seem to run much quieter and smoother.the taxi fleet is mostly comprised of 124 and new model cdi.is anyone familiar with european diesel?what makes the difference?by the way my wife who normally pays no attention to these matters also concurs"its much quieter"

From what I've read most European countries have diesel fuel with significantly higher cetane while US has some of the worst diesel fuel in the world. Does anyone know if ULSD will have higher cetane?

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2004 VW Jetta TDI (manual)

Past MB's: '96 E300D, '83 240D, '82 300D, '87 300D, '87 420SEL

even the diesel buses run much quieter and very little smoke or odour from any diesel vehicle there!

"make the fuel crappy so the cars and trucks smoke a lot and make lots of noise so no one will want one. if we can offend women then they will not want one or let their husbands buy them"

someone from the detroit automakers

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currently
[1981 300 td tdidi 165500 dark brown/palamino-Brownie-mine-3k miles of ownership
1983 240d 162+++ Anthricite grey w/ henna red interior and hella lights-wifes car-Red

the above two cars are for sale
and can be seen on the cars for sale thread here. pix also available.


240d-144+ Manilla Yellow w/ palmino interior-greasecar kit-Blondie-the college kids car

23" gt 21 speed still on original tires-still got the nubs
21" khs tandem

Amsterdam's "soft drugs" laws - they make your hearing weak

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BENZ THERE DONE THAThttp://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/...c/progress.gif
15 VW Passat TDI
00 E420
98 E300 DT
97 E420 Donor Car - NEED PARTS? PM ME!
97 S500
97 E300D
86 Holden Jackaroo Turbo D
86 300SDL
(o\|/o)

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Besides higher cetane values (in Europe), our #2 fuel is also much dirtier.
Most of the EU allows #2 with only 20-30 ppm of Sulfur per Gallon, where we allow 500 ppm.

This is supposed to change in late 2006 when a new 'clean air' act starts. At tha time, the US refineries will start producing #2 that will only have 15-20 ppm. As for boosting the Cetane number - don't hold your breath!

Hey,
European diesel fuel is much better than fuel here.
I think by next year the new laws go into effect making diesel fuel here better.
Lower sulfur content for sure. Maybe higher cetane??

Danny

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1984 300SD Turbo Diesel 150,000 miles

OBK member #23

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British Petroleum Company, the largest producer of low sulfur diesel in Europe, owns all Amoco and Arco stations in California and I've been using the low sulfur diesel fuel since I purchased my 98 E300 turbodiesel in July of 05. Harry,Oceanside,Ca.

Harry, how did you buy your car in the future? Or did you mean 04?

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1974 240D 3.0L 4(M) - 250K -OM617.910 + 300D FW + Rajay turbo power!
1977 6.9 3(A) - 84k

Of course,04, thanks.

I'm not totally sure about any of this so dont quote me but i believe that straight ULSD is bad news because sulfur is essential for maintaining lubricity in straight up dirty dino-diesel. I'm pretty sure that most European countries use a small percentage (5-20%) biodiesel. This improves the lubricative properties of the fuel astronomically. I just filled up with b20 (20% bio, 80% dino) the other day and i noticed immediately that the car ran way smoother (no teeth chattering at idle) and noticeable quieter... just my $.02 and observations.

p.s. the biodiesel would account for the higher cetane rating (its better stuff all the way around)

I just googled ULSD and it looks like cetane will remain at 40, at least for now. Higher cetane would not only make diesels run quieter but cleaner and with less wear and tear as well. Allegedly increasing the cetane number requires the removal of aromatic content which would further increase the price of diesel, but I certainly wouldn't mind paying a little more for higher cetane. As far as lubricity goes, some kind of additives will be added to ULSD, but whether it's sufficient is another question and I will probably continue using my own additives. BTW it's not the absence of sulfur that causes low lubricity, it's the process that removes it.

__________________
2004 VW Jetta TDI (manual)

Past MB's: '96 E300D, '83 240D, '82 300D, '87 300D, '87 420SEL