That's interesting about Shell. I haven't seen too many Shells around here. I've seen the Texaco "Premium" (40 cetane), Exxon/Mobil (40 cetane), BP (40 cetane) and Amoco "Premium" (47 cetane). We have a Sunoco, but they don't carry diesel.

I don't usually frequent the other gas that do not have a brand association.

 

I've unloaded premium diesel at Amoco stations, it came out of the Conoco refinery.

 

In the upper Midwest?

That is where Amoco says that the Premium is available.

 

Wow, choices??? Haven't ever seen anything but #2 diesel, and sometimes lucky to find that. Haven't seen different grades of fuel anywhere in the south west, or I haven't been looking very hard but usually there is just a couple of pumps for #2 diesel and nothing about being premium. Guess I'll have to start looking closer, maybe I have been missing out because I would pay a little extra for the good stuff if I could.....

 

Try to locate a place selling B-20 biodiesel. Many of us in the Colorado Powerstroke club swear by it. It's regular diesel with 20% soy biodiesel added. Maybe 5 points higher cetane, super lubricity for the injectors and fuel pump and it cleans out fuel system deposits. And a much smoother, quieter engine, longer engine life, way less knock and cackle.
It gives you many of the benefits that additives are bought for, and unless I'm on the road and get a bad load of fuel I never use additives, even when it goes subzero. It's my own feeling that just like some gasoline additives, some diesel additives don't do jack for you or they make exaggerated claims.

When I go on long trips I try to take along a couple 5-gallon jugs of B-100 bio and dump one in each time I fill up at a truck stop to give me around a 20% blend.

Where to get it:
http://www.biodiesel.org/buyingbiodi...s/default.shtm

Seriously, this is Good Stuff.

 

BioDiesel gels more easily than dino diesel.

That and cost are probably its only drawbacks.

 

Unlike the gas pumps, the diesel one you have to look a little harder to find the yellow cetane rating sticker. Its usually covered in soot!!

 

Adding 20% biodiesel will raise the cloud and gel points of conventional diesel fuel by only 3 to 5 degrees F, it's really not a winter issue until you start pushing a 50-50 blend, and even then it depends on what you're blending it with- straight #2 or winterized diesel that is 30% kerosene. I personally don't view that as a practical problem that should prevent anyone from using it. I've been running 40% biodiesel this week as an anti-cackle experiment with no additives and no problems with morning temperatures dropping to around 10 degrees.

Paying $1.82/gallon for B-20, about the same extra cost as buying additives.

 

When I had my 2002 Dodge Cummins, I never worried about the fuel. Just when to the station and pumped it in! Last winter was COLD here ! I kept my truck plugged in alot, but no fuel additives. Is this something I should worry about with my Ford?

 

Diesel around here is around $1.40. Even cheaper out at the Flying J on I-20. Stanadyne or DieselKleen adds about $0.03/gal.

Is dino diesel $1.79 out your way?

 

Hey Paarrothead,

Thanks for posting the link for the Biodiesel. I found a station here in Albuquerque selling it. I didn't even know we had a station. I've been mixing mini batches myself for testing purposes for a couple of months now. Simple stuff to make, but kind of a pain. Have been using the used peanut oil from my turkey fryer. I would rather just buy it though.

As far as additives go...back in June of this year I got a bad load of diesel fuel from a Phillips 66. It was full of water, scum, and algae. Cost me $1000 to have the fuel system flushed, filters changed, etc. (of which Phillips denied my claim saying that they never have water in their tanks. yeah right). Anyway, the mechanics told me that everytime you fill up it was crap shoot as to what you were going to get and suggested additive every other tank at the minimum. They didn't recommend any specific brand, however. Just said to make sure that it contained a water dispersant. Anyway, I've been using Amzoil brand at about $16 a 16 oz. bottle. I think that's a little high myself. Maybe I will try the Deisel Kleen.

Gerry
ABQ, NM
'02 Stock 2wd, Crew Cab, SD

 

Got to love the prices at Walmart.

 

I have a 7.3 powerstroke, 3/4 ton p/u and pull trailers for a living.

I nticed since the ultralow sulfer fuel came out , my mpg droped.
I started using centane boost and my mpg went up 1.5-2.0 mpg.

 

I put powerservice white bottle in when its gets around 10, one day it was -10
and my fuel gelled and I broke down. If you dont get below 20 I wouldnt worry about it..

 

I always buy my Deisel Kleen at Wal-Mart and noticed they raised the price by 30%. What the hell. I now pay about $16 for the 96 ounce size. It works, but the price keeps going up.