[bmw320dMelb]

Hello all,

My first post!! and I take delivery of my new 320D in a couple of weeks.

I was having a chat recently regarding diesel engines and heard that contamination of diesel fuel can cause a lot of problems in diesel cars. The worst thing would probably be if the diesel fuel system were to ever become contaminated with water.

You may be thinking how water could get into the diesel fuel system and there are probably a few ways. Firstly, I've noticed some service stations have their diesel bowsers away from under shelter, and when it rains and those nozzles get wet, and then water is transferred to into the petrol tanks of our cars. Secondly, diesel attracts moisture, so if a service station doesn't have high turnover of the diesel quantity, then mositure can also build up inside the storage tanks and transfer into our fuel tanks; and finally over time water on the surface penetrating into the diesel storage tanks is virtually impossible to remove and can find its way into our fuel tanks and system.

If your fuel system were to become contaminated, then you would be required to replace things like fuel lines, maybe the fuel tank, injectors and pump all because of the contamination.

I'm hoping people can anyone share their experiences and which fuels they would recommend. Are there particular servos or brands which are more reputable than others? and, has anyone had a bad experience with diesel fuel or contamination?

Look forward to your thoughts.

[KingClifton]

FWIW I've tried BP regular diesel, BP Ultimate diesel, Caltex Vortex Diesel and Caltex regular diesel. Best economy is Caltex regular diesel followed by BP Ultimate. Admittedly I'm still running in, so there could be a factor here, but I've dropped from high 7s to low 7s switching to Caltex regular diesel (7000km on the clock now).

[samchuang33]

Originally Posted by bmw320dMelb

Hello all,

My first post!! and I take delivery of my new 320D in a couple of weeks.

I was having a chat recently regarding diesel engines and heard that contamination of diesel fuel can cause a lot of problems in diesel cars. The worst thing would probably be if the diesel fuel system were to ever become contaminated with water.

You may be thinking how water could get into the diesel fuel system and there are probably a few ways. Firstly, I've noticed some service stations have their diesel bowsers away from under shelter, and when it rains and those nozzles get wet, and then water is transferred to into the petrol tanks of our cars. Secondly, diesel attracts moisture, so if a service station doesn't have high turnover of the diesel quantity, then mositure can also build up inside the storage tanks and transfer into our fuel tanks; and finally over time water on the surface penetrating into the diesel storage tanks is virtually impossible to remove and can find its way into our fuel tanks and system.

If your fuel system were to become contaminated, then you would be required to replace things like fuel lines, maybe the fuel tank, injectors and pump all because of the contamination.

I'm hoping people can anyone share their experiences and which fuels they would recommend. Are there particular servos or brands which are more reputable than others? and, has anyone had a bad experience with diesel fuel or contamination?

Look forward to your thoughts.

1st of all welcome!!!

I always been filling up with shell in the past but recently moved to BP coz they have ultimate diesel. I have found no problem so far between bp and shell diesel. Best avilable around i guess plus caltex.

Regarding contamination, i have been playing around with few diesel additive.
1. A lot of ppl then to recommand the fuel doctor to treat contaminates/microbs in fuel. Seems to be highly recommanded for diesel and petrol. Probably more for car with more milage so dont need for new car. Nice video on their website too and very educational.
http://www.fueldoctors.com/
2. 2nd product is the FTC decarboniser. Seems to improve economy over time probably becasue the injectors are getting cleaner so power also getting better. Doesnt treat fuel but more for injectors and give u preformance boost.
http://www.costeffective.com.au/ftc_decarboniser.php
3. 3rd product is standyne which is also highly recommanded in the states. Does both cleaning and also treat fuel. Seems to be best all rounder but most expensive. Just brought a 235ml and cost me $10 and only last 1.5 tanks.
http://www.stanadyne.com/view.php?id=45

I haven't tried Standyne yet and also another product diesel power. Let u know what i think in the next few weeks.

[samchuang33]

Originally Posted by KingClifton

FWIW I've tried BP regular diesel, BP Ultimate diesel, Caltex Vortex Diesel and Caltex regular diesel. Best economy is Caltex regular diesel followed by BP Ultimate. Admittedly I'm still running in, so there could be a factor here, but I've dropped from high 7s to low 7s switching to Caltex regular diesel (7000km on the clock now).

From memory caltex diesel is premium diesel right?

Im still waiting for bp ultimate to back online. Been out of stock for 5 month now.

[mark325]

With the amount of diesel vehicles on the road, I hardly see how water contamination should be of concern. Might be looking too deep into something that really doesn't seem to be an issue.

[Beejay]

Originally Posted by bmw320dMelb

Are there particular servos or brands which are more reputable than others? and, has anyone had a bad experience with diesel fuel or contamination?

Look forward to your thoughts.

We've been mostly using Shell or independent petrol stations to fill up, and so far have not experienced any problems or obvious differences. Consumption at a 80/20 split between peak hour stop'n'go commute and cross-country cruises sees us at 7l / 100km after about 9000 km. Single biggest problem we have encountered is that some petrol stations (one BP and one independent) did not have the appropriate filler nozzle attached to their diesel pump which would not allow it to be inserted into the tank of the Beemer (it needs to have a smaller diameter than petrol).

Hope this helps. Enjoy the ride - it's a great car.