Diesel fuel

Wireman · 07-15-2016, 04:20 PM

Maybe someone can answer this question. This is my first diesel and tow vehicle. Jeep Grand Cherokee Eco diesel.

I think we can assume gasoline quality varies by company. There are tier 1 gasoline ratings and manufacturers put in their own additives and costs vary.

Is this the case with diesel? I know that cetane rating is a way to determine quality. Is there a list of these rating by diesel fuel manufacturer and seller?

I know it's important to buy fuel that hasn't been sitting in the storage tank for a long period.

I'm buying my diesel at Sam's Club for 25 cents a gallon less than other stations. It's a high volume station and they sell quite a bit of it.

Has anyone found a difference in diesel fuel quality when buying it at different stations?

Kind of hard I guess to determine that, but what has been your experience and thoughts on the subject?

**norty1** · 07-15-2016, 05:44 PM

I try to purchase at high volume sellers with a good price.

Grumpy · 07-15-2016, 06:47 PM

High volume doesn't always help, I got a load of bad fuel at PILOT. I personally try to find SHELL, MARATHON or HESS/WILCO. I totally avoid LOVES since they seem to only have BIO anymore.

The standard cetane rating for diesel is 40 or better.

robkelly · 07-15-2016, 06:49 PM

For the most part I'm at high volume stations, but I don't remember a difference the few times I've gone to lower volume stations.

Wireman · 07-15-2016, 07:45 PM

Other than the cetane rating and possibly Bio, is most of the refineries putting out pretty much the same product?

Anyone seen a list of ratings for diesel, similar to the tier 1 ratings for gasoline?

eldermike · 07-15-2016, 08:36 PM

If you visit your local depot you see all the tankers pulling up to the same fill station. I might be wrong but I believe all the stations are selling the same product. I work close to a huge regional fuel depot and you will see every brand tanker truck pulling in or out at any time.

PMC · 07-16-2016, 05:57 AM

Pretty much every station in my area has the 5-20% Bio label on the pumps. I just buy at the cheapest place (BP) as I've never noticed a difference.

schiguy · 07-16-2016, 06:03 AM

I have filled my truck at various places and I can not say that I have noticed a difference besides the price and ease of getting in and out. I do prefer Pilot/Flying J thanks to the fuel discounts I get with my Good Sam card.

justman · 07-16-2016, 06:04 AM

I've never noticed a significant difference in mileage or engine running, regardless of where I pick up fuel. I do put in an algae killer though if I'm not going to use my truck for extended periods of time. Algae tends to grow in the tanks, especially with as hot as it is. Believe this happens more with bio-diesel than with regular---at least from what I've been told.

Seann45 · 07-16-2016, 07:00 AM

When Dr Rudolph Diesel designed his motor made it to run on anything except gasoline.. including B100 ( not called that back then). Just like gasoline never buy when the tanks are being filled or right afterwards as the sediment from the bottom of the tank is stirred up and can clog your fuel filter faster. You can buy based on price or ease of access or what ever you wish.. this tier 1 fuel is HOGWASH.. just a marketing ploy.. I have driven my diesel from Sask Canada to the Southern tip of Baja and back with no fuel problems.. just remember every time you change your oil change your fuel filter...

Wireman · 07-16-2016, 07:16 AM

When I mentioned the tier 1 rating that pertains to gasoline, not diesel. I've been doing a little research. Here is some info I found.
Just passing it along as a FYI. Take what you want from it.

DIESEL CETANE RATING INFO.pdf

Cdash · 07-16-2016, 09:35 AM

The way I see it, good fuel is great and all, but I don't want to spend my time planning my trip around fuel stops. I go by the usual, try to find stations that deal in volume. If a station has only one pump off to the side that isn't dirty and I'll pass for the next one.

I've driven across the county, filling up at whatever place seemed good at the moment. Fuel hasn't made a noticeable difference in performance, but I have seen my shoot levels climb faster at times. Not sure if that is from fuel, or elevation.

Edd505 · 07-23-2016, 11:09 PM

I think all you will find is #2 diesel and Bio. On the east coast you see #1 diesel in the winter that's supposed to flow better in the cold weather. I notice a very big difference in MPG with bio and won't use it after on than full. Diesel for dummy's link
Understanding Diesel Fuels - For Dummies

**norty1** · 07-24-2016, 05:12 AM

My diesel mechanic recommends to add Diesel Kleen or some supplement to pre-07 diesel engines fuel with every fill up and to purchase the highest cetane rating fuel.

https://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&ke...l_5inebjd95v_p

I buy it at Walmart or O'reillys.

Pfflyer · 07-24-2016, 05:19 AM

Don't know if this is the case with all deisel engines but if the OP has a Mercedes deisel engine in his Jeep (depending on the year it may have) stay away from bio blends above 5 if you can. MB says no more than 5 and above that you will take a mileage hit or that is what I have found with over a 100k miles experience in Sprinter based engines. Above 10 is where I find drastic change in mileage and performance. Some states it is hard to find 10 or less so I fill up where I can but I try to avoid the higher bio blends. Not sure how it effects all the emmisions items but suspect it does.

ecksdude · 07-24-2016, 11:47 PM

So if less than B10 is getting harder to find, what's the solution? My truck manual says no higher than B5. So far I haven't had to worry about it, but going on a long distance trip in a few weeks...

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Rustysocket · 07-24-2016, 11:51 PM

Stay on top of your water separator and change your fuel filters at recomended intervals.

Wireman · 07-25-2016, 06:32 AM

My manual says do not go above 20%. The oil change interval will be sooner if you do. It also affects the DPF and the regen. in the newer vehicles.

I don't want to go anywhere near the 20%. I'll be traveling through Nevada, Utah, Idaho, Wyoming, and Colorado next month so I'll have to pay attention to the % in those states.

I'm not sure if different stations within those states carry different % bio fuel or not.

Any input or recommendations on that would be appreciated.

Sunflake · 07-25-2016, 09:52 AM

I live in Utah and am new to Diesel engines. How do you tell how much of the fuel is a bio blend?

Rustysocket · 07-25-2016, 10:40 AM

There will be a sticker on the pump. Just like for ethanol in gasoline.

Also since your new to Diesel. Do not ever put gasoline in your tank. If you do by accident do not start the engine....

It happens and can be disastrous. Make sure anybody driving your rig understands this.
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