Is there really any difference between the different brands of diesel fuel?

Can anyone comment on which diesel fuel brands they consider to be superior and why that might be?

Thank you.

I don't think the actual brand matters, but, from what I've heard, you should buy from stations that go through a lot of it, like a truck stop. Otherwise, if it sits in the storage tank too long, it can take on some water.

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1983 240D 3.0T 4-speed manual, now sold

1989 Subaru GL Wagon 5-speed Touring Edition

X2 JEB,
Not only water but also black bugs !!
The truckers soon know if a station has gone bad.

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Grumpy Old Diesel Owners Club group

I no longer question authority, I annoy authority. More effect, less effort....

1967 230-6 auto parts car. rust bucket.
1980 300D now parts car 800k miles
1984 300D 500k miles
1987 250td 160k miles English import
2001 jeep turbo diesel 130k miles
1998 jeep tdi ~ followed me home. Needs a turbo.
1968 Ford F750 truck. 6-354 diesel conversion.
Other toys ~J.D.,Cat & GM ~ mainly earth moving

Ultra Low Sulfur (sp?) is slightly less lubricating. the 617/603 wasn't designed for ulsd. You can put in an additive to increase lubricity but meh, the engines are tough, thats why we drive em.

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77' 300D, "Cartman" SOLD @ 150K (didn't know what I had)
83' 300SD, "The Superdon" 325k+ @ 28mpg
95 E320 wagon, "Millennium Falcon" 231k+ @ 24 Mpg
95 E300D, "Sherley" 308k @ 33.69 Mpg, currently anticipating a head
99 Suzuki Intruder "Trudy" @ 45 mpg

I don`t think there is a nickle`s worth of difference between brands. I do buy my fuel from high volumn stations.

I do notice trucks delivering fuel to brand name stations that are delivered by private tanker co`s.

There are several large refineries in the S.F. bay area, the fuel is sent to tank farms through pipe lines. there is a large tank farm in San Jose, think I have seen one in the Sacramento area. from these farms the fuel is distributed to the various stations.

The tanks usually don`t have oil Co names painted on them IE Texaco, BP etc.... I do notice Shell has their tanks with their name.

I have talked to some drivers, and what I get is they load fuel where it is available and may come from different refineries.

"I" do add some 2 cycle oil to my fuel to up the lubricity of it. I don`t care what the "experts" say how great the ultra low sulfer fuel is, I don`t trust it.


Charlie

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there were three HP ratings on the OM616...

1) Not much power
2) Even less power
3) Not nearly enough power!! 240D w/auto

Anyone that thinks a 240D is slow drives too fast.

80 240D Naturally Exasperated, 4-Spd 388k DD 150mph spedo 3:58 Diff

We are advised to NOT judge ALL Muslims by the actions of a few lunatics, but we are encouraged to judge ALL gun owners by the actions of a few lunatics. Funny how that works

ULSD is "great" for the environment for sure, but for all the engines on the road that weren't designed for it - it's definitely a downgrade.

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1981 300SD - 283,000 KM's at purchase, 360k+ now. Engine replaced at 311k. 16" CLK wheels, w126 gen II cosmetic upgrades, late w126 leather interior. RIP. Parted and gone due to fire

1987 300SDL - 243K miles and counting. In winter hibernation!

2001 Ford F250 Super Duty "Platinum Edition" Lariat 4x4 7.3L turbo diesel, 295k+ miles, various mods for reliability and performance.

Aren't the OM60X series engine injector pumps lubed from the engine oil?

Use diesel with the highest Cetane number/rating possible. The minimum in the US is CN40 but are normally rated 42-45. Fuels with higher cetane number which have shorter ignition delays provide more time for the fuel combustion process to be completed. Hence, higher speed diesels operate more effectively with higher cetane number fuels. There is no performance or emission advantage when the CN is raised past approximately 55; after this point, the fuel's performance hits a plateau.

Link to article:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cetane_number
also some good reading:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diesel_fuel

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92 300D 2.5L OM602 OBK #59

Thanks for the info.

My local "expert" who owned a Mercedes dealership in Germany will only use Shell or Chevron. He's quite adamant and constantly reminds his customers to only use those brands. I've been known to not always follow his advice.

And the Firetrucks all fill up there.
(HINT: Firetrucks will not long ALLOW a station to pump questionable Diesel.)

Comments from the European boards favor the Shell branded Diesel.
[It's gotta be the Shell additives.Here diesel ALL comes from the same Jobber/Importer]

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'84 300SD sold
124.128

I highly doubt there's much of a difference.

I know in Europe their fuel standards are higher and I've even heard of some diesel there at 65 cetane.

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1993 W124 300D
-297K on the clock as I type this.