Amoco Premium Diesel - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

TheDuke · #1 08-12-2002, 01:46 AM

Found a place here in Ann Arbor that sells it, $1.85/gallon. It's $.50/gallon more than I'm used to paying, but the difference was immediate!!

In the morning when I start the car it would stall once in a while, now it's perfect. Throttle is noticeably snappier and also has more go on those inclines before the car is up to temp.

Is it worth the extra $.50/gallon? Not sure yet, but, I may change my mind fast.

There is also a place in Manchester, MI, about 20 miles from me that is selling bio-diesel as well. 20% blended with Amoco Premium Diesel.

P.E.Haiges · #2 08-12-2002, 04:52 PM

I would go back to the fuel you were using and see if the problems returned. Maybe you only need the Amoco premium once in a while to clean out your system.

P E H

LightMan · #3 08-13-2002, 10:44 PM

the amoco fuel you're speaking of is Amoco Premier, with a minimum of 50 cetane. Thats why your car will start easier, rev more quickly, and have less smoke. Cetane is a measure of combustibility, the higher the better. Most normal diesel fuel is around 40 cetane. Premier is far and above better than regular diesel fuels across the country(except bp diesel supreme, which is nearly the same as premier), and much closer to the quality of european diesel. Premier has additives to help lubricate the injection pump, detergents, stabilizers, etc., in addition to starting off with much better basestocks and being kept separate in all stages from regular diesel. Unfortunately amoco premier/bp diesel supreme is only available in a few midwestern states..

The place you're referring to that has the b20 mix with premier I believe is called Wacker Oil. Tons of people from the tdiclub forums go there to fill their tdi's. I'd be a little bit cautious about running biodiesel in your older mb diesels due to its high solvency. It will eat through most natural rubber fuel lines etc, and is only recommended for newer vehicles with synthetic hoses. B20 is all I run in my '99 E300, and I run up to B100 in my tdi, usually around 30% (b30).

TheDuke · #4 08-13-2002, 10:57 PM

LightMan, you bastard! You have the best two Diesels cars sold in the US!!

I'd LOVE to have your E300

Now if only VW would bring that twin turbo V10 diesel here! The AMG Twin Turbo Diesel would be OK too

#5 08-14-2002, 12:03 AM

I've been using the Amoco Premier here in the DC area in my 300-D for the two+ years that I've owned the car. It's comparale in price to the other stations. Love it! Never have problems with start up and alwyas idles fine with acceptable pick-up for a normally aspirated engine. My friend puts Mobil or other in his 300 SD and always has black smoke in hard acceleration. Still can't convince him to switch to the good stuff.

diesel don · #6 08-14-2002, 05:40 PM

I use Amoco Premier in the winter alot. Use to sell it and became convinced of how awesome it was when I saw all the expensive trucks coming our way.

I would guess that if you trace (through the distributor) other retail locations that you can beat that price by a bunch. I normally pay 12-15 cents per gallon more for it in the winter.

Don

LightMan · #7 08-14-2002, 06:28 PM

sflori, hate to tell you but I don't believe premier is sold down in DC. Fill some in a clear glass and see what color it is. Most likely its about as clear as water, maybe with a slight green tinge if its premier. If its any other color or a dark green, yellow or amber color, its regular #2. Its only available in a few select midwest states. The pump must be mislabled. if you want to verify whether it's premier or not, call bp/amoco direct at 800-841-5255

#8 08-14-2002, 11:58 PM

Lightman,

Yup, you're right. Just filled up and since I was thinking about it, I checked the pump and the magic number is 47, not 50. Oh well. I'm pretty sure, though, that the signpost has it listed as premier. Next time I drive by there I'll take a good look. Thanks!

I have been told by my mechanic to try to use Amoco as much as possible since, among the big names, it's usually the best bet. In the winter they add the anti-gel additive so I don't have to do it myself.

LightMan · #9 08-24-2002, 02:16 AM

If it's anything , it would be amoco powerblend, which has a slightly lower minimum cetane from premier, and may be distributed down to dc. Its easy to call the bp number, follow the prompts to the diesel fuel technical line, and ask if your station buys powerblend, or where the closest supplier is. Premier has a minimum cetane of 50, so that labeling would be contradictory. Good luck, if whatever you're buying is actually 47 cetane, that would be great.

In about a week I think diesel fuel testing kits will be available from www.avlube.com . I can't wait to test the fuel at the local station where I usually fill. I've heard the tests are only going to be around $40. They also sell Delvac 1 (the best diesel oil you can get pretty much) at a good price. Good luck, and let us know what you find!

#10 08-24-2002, 03:24 AM

I wish I could get diesel with with the higher levels of cetane in my area, but no one sells it. At least I have aditives that I can add at every tank.

LightMan · #11 08-24-2002, 11:45 AM

Most ppl who are into their cars and diesels use additives of some sort every tank, unless they're getting high cetane fuel. Either by adding the proper dosage of power service, stanadyne performance formula, or biodiesel, the standard #2 diesel in our country certainly needs something.. Its designed for garbage trucks!

#12 08-24-2002, 05:03 PM

which has a 45 cetane rating. More pep in 240, better winter starting. On the down side, if I fill up with stuff clearly meant to run over the road trucks, I notice that performance deteriorates, even with a warm engine.

#13 08-24-2002, 08:24 PM

one of the reasons I bought my diesel was because diesel is cheaper than gas...the last thing I want to do is pay more for an additive or for a "premium" diesel fuel. Perhaps there will come a time in my car's future when it "demands" a premium fuel with a higher cetane but for now, I'll go with the "cheap" stuff!

I will need to check around, though, to see if any of the stations nearby add anti-gel in automatically for winter.

ck42 · #14 08-25-2002, 12:31 PM

Lightman, glad you brought up the additives issue.

Here's my thoughts. $0.50/gallon extra equates to another $10 for a full fillup...that's a LOT of money when looking at it that way.

VS.

Spending about $5 for a bottle of Redline DFC and paying regular fuel price.

The question is....will a FULL bottle of DFC added to a tank of diesel give you the same benefit as paying that extra $10 for the diesel premium? If yes, then using the DFC is half as expensive and it means being able to buy your diesel wherever it's convienent.

P.E.Haiges · #15 08-26-2002, 10:38 AM

I have used all types of Diesel fuel, except premium Amoco ETC, including 10 year old heating fuel in many different types of Diesel engines and they all ran the same (good) on any kind. I used 2 cycle gasoline mix in my tractor when I ran out of Diesel fuel in the woods and the engine ran just as good and didn't smoke as much.

A Diesel is inheritantly a multifuel engine thus it will run on a wide variety of fuels IE bioDiesel or SVO. I will always use the lowest cost Diesel fuel because I can't tell the difference and there is no specification on what constitutes premium Diesel fuel like there is for gasoline (octane rating). In my opinion, cetane rating defines the ignition point of the fuel and only affects starting and once the engine is running has little effect on the operation of the engine.

P E H

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