Diesel quality and economy
Submitted: Monday, Aug 13, 2007 at 09:20
ThreadID:
48654
Views:
3157
Replies:
7
FollowUps:
9
This Thread has been Archived
Wizard1
Not sure if anyone else has made the same observations, but I've discovered that the old "you pay for what you get" addage rings true with diesel.
The local Matilda has had diesel at 119.9 for weeks now, yet all the major petrol suppliers are around 122 - 125. Filled up with diesel from the Matilda, lucky to get 100 km from the first quarter of the main
tank (usually get between 150 - 200 km).
So I re-filled with a major suppliers diesel and got much better economy driving the same route, etc.
Now I know why its stays so cheap for so long.
Reply By: AndrewX - Monday, Aug 13, 2007 at 10:33
Monday, Aug 13, 2007 at 10:33
Your observation "lucky to get 100 km from the first quarter of the main tank" is much too vague for me Wizard. I haven't made any similar observations, in fact I was warned of variance in diesel quality when I changed to diesel but have not found it. Just keep in mind that ALL diesel in Australia is imported as our crude doesn't produce diesel fuel so I really can't imagine the cheaper distributors running their own tankers!!! LOLOLOLOLOLOL. Try taking accurate measurements over a long distance not 100km measured by your fuel guage. Use the fill to 2 clicks then refill with the same pump to 2 clicks after travelling 1500km. I take 160l after 1500km with very little variation. If I have my caravan on the back I fill every second day after 1100km (550 per day is comfortable) and I typically take 160 litres. 7/11 at Towoomba or BP at
Winton or Shell at
Roma - you name it I've tried it and the figures show very little variance. The figures I've quoted are typical only as I don't always manage to refill at exactly 1500km or 1100km but they are the 2 points at which I look for fuel and usually fill close to those. However the actual calculation of litres divided by the number of hundred km travelled is always steady. The figures quoted are of course for reasonably flat travel and not noticeably strong winds and it goes without saying that if I am towing my caravan into a strong wind through mountains I won't travel 1100km before refilling!
AnswerID:
257031
Follow Up By: Axel [ the real one ] - Monday, Aug 13, 2007 at 11:31
Monday, Aug 13, 2007 at 11:31
It maybe so that all diesel is imported but that does not mean that there are no quality variations , just look at the bloke who was recently outed in NSW for adulterating his fuel .both petrol and diesel at the 3 BP branded servos he owns , was selling standard ulp thru his premium pumps and his diesel was bulked up by a heating oil and kero mix.
FollowupID:
518174
Follow Up By: Wizard1 - Monday, Aug 13, 2007 at 12:02
Monday, Aug 13, 2007 at 12:02
Andrew,
thank for all the advice. I think after owning a vehicle for 5 years that I would have some idea if the fuel consumption was higher than normal given historical usage rates for the same trip.
The same trip from
Brisbane to the
Gold Coast, via the same route, same time of day, same density of traffic, same driving pattern and behaviour, no noticably bad wind, etc. The only logical reason was the fuel which I had filled up with the night before.
I am quite aware of the method of displaying fuel usage L/100 km, but thought I'd just throw the thought out there about fuel quality.
By example, the last lot of "quality fuel" netted 9.9L/100 km for a 5 YO Manual 95 series Prado TD with roof racks and a few other mods.
FollowupID:
518178
Follow Up By: Stu050 - Monday, Aug 13, 2007 at 13:56
Monday, Aug 13, 2007 at 13:56
Andrew,
Some years ago I was involved in a job in
Eromanga SW Qld.
There is/used to be a mini refinery there which produced diesel and other products from the local oilfields. Petrol was not produced at this refinery, as there was no catalytic cracker in the refinery. Most other products that could be produced by distillation were produced and trucked or piped to
Brisbane. The crude oil from the Eromanga/Nocatunga oil fields was of such good quality that the crude oil was used in the 110V generators in summer.
The Nocatunga crude produced 70L of diesel for every 100L of crude oil processed. This "first cut" diesel was the best fuel that I have used, the diesel was colourless as nothing was added to it.
FollowupID:
518188
Reply By: BennyGU - Monday, Aug 13, 2007 at 10:50
Monday, Aug 13, 2007 at 10:50
The grass is always greener on the otherside................
AnswerID:
257035
Reply By: dave_c - Monday, Aug 13, 2007 at 11:58
Monday, Aug 13, 2007 at 11:58
has anyone noticed the colour of diesel lately. it looks like a weak tea colour. what has happened to the green diesel. is green is good i was told. and wizard1, i know im using more of this diesel. its not much, about 20l on average a week. i run a backhoe and always monitor my fuel usage. i have been getting this tea coloured fuel for nearly a month now. what is it.
AnswerID:
257044
Follow Up By: Member - Andrew (QLD) - Monday, Aug 13, 2007 at 12:35
Monday, Aug 13, 2007 at 12:35
I have noticed my Pajero DiD has decreased its fuel consumption in the last month.....i'm getting another 100km or so out of a
tank (90l).
This happened almost overnight, and was noticeable. Same fuel outlet used (shell), no servicing change.
I wonder if this is related to what you are talking about.
Andrew
FollowupID:
518181
Follow Up By: Mainey (WA) - Monday, Aug 13, 2007 at 17:55
Monday, Aug 13, 2007 at 17:55
Dave,
In WA the BP refinery also 'refines' the diese for
Gull Fuel, and yes they are two different colours.
I think the BP refinery is the only one in the state, and we have various brands of fuel being 'distributed' from it, but I'm sure I will be challenged if I'm wrong.
I understand the Gull and BP depots are side by side and the pipeline goes from one to the other ?
Wasn't BP using the green coloured diesel indicating either sulphur or lack of sulphur in their diesel ?
FollowupID:
518228
Follow Up By: dave_c - Monday, Aug 13, 2007 at 18:25
Monday, Aug 13, 2007 at 18:25
mainey,
i dont know what the green colour indicates but remember years ago my old man telling me that green diesel was good stuff. being an x interstater and retired earthmover i just assumed he knew what he was talkin about. but then he drove pre diesel days so that makes him old and maybe a bit mad. lol.
dave
FollowupID:
518237
Reply By: traveller2 - Monday, Aug 13, 2007 at 15:17
Monday, Aug 13, 2007 at 15:17
Yes the quality does vary hugely, especially at the discount
places like Volume Plus, they usually sell a bio mix of unknown ratio and it is way down on power, greatly increased EGT's and increased fuel consumption, steer clear!!
AnswerID:
257072
Follow Up By: Mainey (WA) - Monday, Aug 13, 2007 at 18:07
Monday, Aug 13, 2007 at 18:07
I can't say that about the Gull bio fuel, I only buy
mine from truck stops as it's fresh due to their very high turn-over and it's not giving me any concerns at all, I would like to say it gives me a sweeter running diesel but I can't prove it, I will continue to use it, after all if the big trucks use it why should I believe it's not suitable for me.
The gf's hubby owns a trucking company and they only use Shell & Gull Bio.
FollowupID:
518234
Follow Up By: Andrew from Vivid Adventures - Monday, Aug 13, 2007 at 19:19
Monday, Aug 13, 2007 at 19:19
Volume Plus did make some stuff ups, but as the Tax Office were onto them I would be pretty certain they have fixed the problem.
Most other discount
places still get their fuel from the same limited range of sources, be it fossil fuel or biodiesel.
FollowupID:
518249
Reply By: Member - Brad S (SA) - Monday, Aug 13, 2007 at 19:08
Monday, Aug 13, 2007 at 19:08
Just a thought...
While those servos selling diesel to large trucks may be regularly turning over their stock of diesel these may be coming from larger tanks...larger volume of air...more condensation...more
water and wax in your fuel. The engines in these trucks are probably more tolerant of impurities for various reasons therefore I I wonder if most truck drivers would know if anything was happening (no offense to the diligent) nor would they care. "Not my truck." Also consider that most trucks fill up in larger cities rather country towns which have less turn over. My vehicle always runs better on a
tank of fuel from a larger depot in the city or larger towns...bio or petro-diesel. It is the servos in the small towns in the scrub which make me anxious.
anyway...food for thouhgt...
AnswerID:
257107
Reply By: Member - Brad S (SA) - Monday, Aug 13, 2007 at 19:09
Monday, Aug 13, 2007 at 19:09
Just a thought...
While those servos selling diesel to large trucks may be regularly turning over their stock of diesel these may be coming from larger tanks...larger volume of air...more condensation...more
water and wax in your fuel. The engines in these trucks are probably more tolerant of impurities for various reasons therefore I wonder if most truck drivers would know if anything was happening (no offense to the diligent) nor would they care. "Not my truck." Also consider that most trucks fill up in larger cities rather than country towns which have less turn over. My vehicle always runs better on a
tank of fuel from a larger depot in the city or larger towns...bio or petro-diesel. It is the servos in the small towns in the scrub which make me anxious.
anyway...food for thought
AnswerID:
257108
Follow Up By: Rock Ape - Monday, Aug 13, 2007 at 20:37
Monday, Aug 13, 2007 at 20:37
Well Brad, with the fuel for thought angle my fuel consumption used to go up a heap when I had to make market with a load of fruit before midnight, must have been the night air not the right foot.
Yes, diesel does vary from time to time (scientific method I use is noticabley less power more fuel and even sometimes a different smell, hang on that could be my armpits)
Then again I used to drive one of those common rail diesels.
8V92TTA Detriot she could use some fuel and keep your left arm awake from changing gears. It was still a great engine
Have a safe one
The Ape
FollowupID:
518264
Reply By: Member - Bruce and Anne - Monday, Aug 13, 2007 at 19:49
Monday, Aug 13, 2007 at 19:49
Its a funny thing but this time last year both our 4WD were using more fuel and now its the same. I register all my fuel usage (Exploroz have a great trip log) in the log and have all our fuel usage since I've had it and the other the same.
I would have thought with colder weather and a turbo diesel I would have better economy, not so and I buy a lot of my fuel at Woolies and every I go its green in colour to.
Anyway who would know. Got to go Top Gear is on s..t which I could get to drive a red Ferrari.
cheers Bruce
AnswerID:
257113