BP Ultimate Diesel is now in NSW

[benough]

I filled up with it this morning at Wiley Park. The bloke at the counter said it had been there for about a month.

So I dug around and found this

BP | Online Store Directory

You need to select the fuel type. Here's an example.



Been keen to hear performance reports as well.

[Mysticality]

I tried this stuff in Brissy - I reckon it actually makes a difference.
Someone find me a dyno and I'll gladly give it a run!!


EDIT: Seriously excited about having this available locally.

[bluey]

Well, seeing that BP Ultimate doesn't do much useful apart from clean the injectors, I can't see a lot of value. BP Ultimate Diesel is still standard diesel fuel with an additive package. Probably the best thing for a diesel is a cetane improver, which reduces noise and more importantly reduces smoke. Please note that all official VW group documentation I have seen recommends CN51 diesel for DPF-equipped vehicles. Australian standard diesel is minimum CN46, so will only meet the required VW standard by fluke. Reducing smoke reduces DPF clogging and a whole load of symptoms caused by that.

Our non-DPF diesel will blow loads of smoke on heavy throttle, so I can "see" what would be happening to the DPF on the DPF diesel.

BP Ultimate did contain a cetane improver on launch, but was removed as of 2010 specification.

#2 most important additive is a lubricity improver, which may not be as essential here as in USA where high pressure fuel pump failures are rife (due to poor quality diesel in USA) and subject to a National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigation. 2% biodiesel is a really good lubricity improver on available published evidence.

Still using Morey's diesel smoke killer, which has cetane improver, lubricity improver and algicide (none of the "premium" diesels has algicide)....and soon to look up DPF ash load after 15k.

[Diesel_vert]

Australian standard diesel is minimum CN46

That is incorrect.

The European standard for diesel specifies a minimum cetane index of 46 and a minimum cetane number of 51.

The Australian standard for diesel specifies a minimum cetane index of 46 and no minimum cetane number.

...

BP claims their standard diesel fuel has a typical cetane index of 51.

Caltex claims their standard diesel fuel has a typical cetane index of 50.

Reducing smoke reduces DPF clogging and a whole load of symptoms caused by that.

The biggest enemy of the DPF is ash (largely derived from metallic additives) which unlike soot, cannot be burnt off and accumulates.

Still using Morey's diesel smoke killer, which has cetane improver, lubricity improver and algicide (none of the "premium" diesels has algicide)....and soon to look up DPF ash load after 15k.

I would not expect anything untoward, as long as the product is free of any metallic additives (though even if it did, it may take longer than 15 000 km for any effects to become noticeable). Morey also claims the product is, "suitable for common rail diesels and/or diesels fitted with a Diesel Particulate Filter".

[GippsCC]

Sadly no BP Ultimate Diesel in Victoria yet

I've always used BP - and while it may have nothing to do with it - I've still had no fuel or engine related problems over 7 years of VW TDI ownership (I understand higher turnover fuel stations are, however, the best source of fuel over anything else but so much gets said and really I don't know THAT much about fuel other than you get it out of a pump lol). So I like BP diesel (even if it's just coincidence), I just wish I had an option of BP Ultimate Diesel because I reckon it couldn't hurt, and may even help.

Diesel_vert you seem pretty across the fuel stuff - what's your thoughts on additives? Do they help? And what would you recommend?

[bluey]

That is incorrect.

The European standard for diesel specifies a minimum cetane index of 46 and a minimum cetane number of 51.

The Australian standard for diesel specifies a minimum cetane index of 46 and no minimum cetane number.

...

BP claims their standard diesel fuel has a typical cetane index of 51.

Caltex claims their standard diesel fuel has a typical cetane index of 50.

OK. So the Australian standard specifies an index rather than a number. I understand the two are near interchangeable. I can't find a proper copy of EN590 to check if there is a cetane number specification as well. Do you have a source??

A BP technical advisor advised me 12 months ago:
"The reference to cetane number/index is normally used quite interchangeably - I believe that there are very few facilities that have the actual equipment available to test for cetane number and so cetane index is normally quoted."

While BP and Caltex quote "typical" figures, that is not a standard nor a specification but a presumed average, with a minimum quoted value of 46 (per the standard). So you will still not always get a fuel which meets the VW specification. Visible smoke out the tailpipe of a non-DPF car is a practical example of the difference cetane makes in the real world.

Are you saying that soot loading in the DFP doesn't make a difference? I understand that soot is burnt off to ash, so more soot will result in more ash accumulation. See for example http://www.dieselnet.com/tech/dpf_ash.php "Ash accumulates in the DPF over extended use, as the incombustible material left behind following filter regeneration and soot oxidation."

Transporter made the original recommendation of additive that I am following. He has been collecting data on his "fleet" of diesels over the years.

[Mysticality]

I'm just telling it how I feel it.

I know that "premium diesel" is just standard diesel with cleaning additive, anti-foam and a fragrance but its my belief that the Caltex Vortex gives you LESS power than standard and the BP Ultimate gives you MORE.
Thats just my personal experience, so take it how you will.

14 months with my Skoda TDI and just on 80,000km.
45,000km in a Kia 2.2R before that!

[Diesel_vert]

I understand higher turnover fuel stations are, however, the best source of fuel over anything else

I would agree with that.

what's your thoughts on additives? Do they help? And what would you recommend?

IMO, additives are an important component in automotive fuels and lubricants. I'm sure oil companies use them with great effect when blending their products.

I've nothing against off-the-shelf products, but I tend not to use them because I often find it quite difficult in quantifying their worth.

I can't make any recommendations as such (since I don't use them) but as with any product, just experiment and make your own judgement.

However, I would advise extra caution and research thoroughly when using off-the-shelf additives for any vehicle with a particulate filter.

OK. So the Australian standard specifies an index rather than a number. I understand the two are near interchangeable. I can't find a proper copy of EN590 to check if there is a cetane number specification as well. Do you have a source??

This link provides the requirements for EN 590 : Biofuels Platform - European Norm EN 590 Diesel

Boring background information:

Directive 2009/30/EC (amending Directive 98/70/EC, which itself was amended by Directive 2003/17/EC) basically states that fuel should conform to European standards EN 228 (petrol) and EN 590 (diesel). See EUR-Lex.europa.eu - European Union law.

European standards (Norme Européenne; EN) are developed and maintained by the European Committee for Standardisation (Comité Européen de Normalisation; CEN).

Apparently, "CEN standards are not free of charge" and "all standardization documents are protected by copyright and associated exploitation rights", but Google can get around that to a certain extent.

While BP and Caltex quote "typical" figures, that is not a standard nor a specification...

That is correct, and that is how it should be interpreted. However, it is my own belief that the typical figures do not stray excessively from reality.

I forgot to mention that BP Premium diesel has a typical cetane index of 52.

So you will still not always get a fuel which meets the VW specification.

All European manufacturers will always recommend the use of fuel that is of European standard, its just that German manufacturers are more vocal about that in their sales literature than others.

Visible smoke out the tailpipe of a non-DPF car is a practical example of the difference cetane makes in the real world.

Over the years, I've noticed less and less exhaust smoke from diesel vehicles. I think that's due to the massive and signification reduction in sulphur, coinciding with increased cetane levels.

Are you saying that soot loading in the DFP doesn't make a difference? I understand that soot is burnt off to ash, so more soot will result in more ash accumulation. See for example Ash Accumulation in Diesel Particulate Filters "Ash accumulates in the DPF over extended use, as the incombustible material left behind following filter regeneration and soot oxidation."

Soot in itself, barring any malfunction of the engine or emissions devices which prevents the system from working as intended, isn't a major concern since the level of accumulation of soot by-products is relatively much less compared to ash. From the same article:

"... ash comprises over 80% of the material trapped in the DPF,
with the minority being soot."

"The ash consists of various metallic compounds originating from
lubricant additives, trace elements in the fuel, and engine wear
and corrosion products."

There are other sources on the internet with similar findings.

Transporter made the original recommendation of additive that I am following. He has been collecting data on his "fleet" of diesels over the years.

I'm not going to argue with that, but I'll stick with my own recommendation.

[Gigitt]

whats the price difference between BP Diesel and BP Ultimate Diesel?

[Diesel_vert]

IIRC, the difference between Caltex's regular and premium diesel (Vortex) was 3 cents per litre, but as Vortex diesel became more common place, the differential became harder to define.

Over time, I predict the same will happen with BP Ultimate diesel.