View Full Version : Diesel - best brand to use?
any idea's chaps?, improvments in fuel consumption and performance, or is diesel fuel all the same?
dave
IMO use any of the major brands (Shell, BP, Texaco, Esso) but do not use any of the obscure brands, they smoke and will clog the injectors etc.
I put some wierd named gear in my Bammer in an emergency and it was at least 10% down on power and smoked like a two-stroke. :mad:
I've had a bad fill of Total diesel once or twice too.
:cheers:
Hi Dave :)
I just stick with brand-names too, but not found any favourite.
muddyboots
16-10-2002, 13:01
I too have found Total to be a bit poor.
Most of the major brands seem OK, normally use Esso or Texaco.
Strangely though, I always seem to get the best performance from my Rover 220 SDi when I fill up at Sainsburys !
similar with Total and elf (same company)
I tend to use Shell and BP most of the time. Little dearer than sume, but always very good
My dad years ago use to have a BX Diesel, and the car would be different on each of the diesel brands he used, I suppose fuel has progressed since then
The problem with Total happens even hear in Portugal.
I usually use BP or Shell. As of late I have been using a new formula diesel from BP, Diesel Ultra as it's called. They say it has a higher cetane rating. Haven't noticed higher MPG, just less smoke & quieter engine.
Interesting.
Seems to be a trend with bad Total diesel.
I usually use Tesco's but I'm going to give Shell and Sainsburys a try.
At 1st I thought the Total problem might be with the one station which I always tried, but after trying at a few other Total places with the same result, I just stoped using it.
muddyboots
17-10-2002, 12:27
I've never noticed any problems with Elf, in fact it's another of my regulars...
I filled up with Elf last night - and strangely, when I pulled in, all the diesel pumps except one had red "do not use" covers on.
Anyway, I filled up and my Rover is now the quietest it's ever been, and it's absolutely flying !
Bizarre. Maybe it'd been contaminated with petrol or something...
Anyone got any views on Diesel Additives / Injector Cleaners ?
In the past I've used STP Diesel Injector cleaner in, which you add in one-off shots, and it seemed to make it run quieter for a while and smoke less.
I also use Millers Diesel Power Plus, this seems to have a similar effect but you have to add a bit with each fill, which is a pain as you need to keep the bottle with you. I think its given a small performance gain too.
Never tried diesel additives.
You really shouldn't have problems with dirty injectors (if U use good diesel & change filter regularly).
On the 'beeza had them cleaned once with about 210000km (130000miles), didn't notice much so I guess they weren't to bad even with the high mileage.
Leon the Diesel
17-10-2002, 14:31
French diesel - it costs a LOT less!
BTW those welsh guys using Vegetable Oil/Methanol in Diesels. Whats their favourite brand - Mazzola? Crisp n Drive?
:cheers:
muddyboots
17-10-2002, 17:06
I've heard some people have successfully used cleaned-up chip shop frying oil.
Exhaust fumes smelling of chips must be torture for drivers behind !
Originally posted by muddyboots
I've heard some people have successfully used cleaned-up chip shop frying oil.
Exhaust fumes smelling of chips must be torture for drivers behind !
Sorry officer I don't know why those McNugget keep flying out of the exhaust!