Which diesel fuel is best for my old 300TDi?

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mojo247

mojo247

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I've had a search and found some old posts on this subject so I wanted an up-to-date opinion on which diesel is best for my 1996 300TDi Defender 110?

The reason being, that I've noticed that if I use say, BP, my engine runs nice and smoothly (well, as smooth as 23 year old Land Rover is able to run!) but then if I revert to Murco, my engine seems to not like it at all and seems to feel terrible and on some occasions noticeably lose power!

I was wondering if this was just my Land Rover paranoia and suggestibility, or is there any evidence to suggest one fuel is better than another?

Anyone have a preference for their 300tdi? Also, are there any that should be avoided?

Thanks in advance,

Mo
 
I never believed the stories about different diesel as they should all have the BS marking, but I am absolutely certain now my TD5 runs better on BP , I even treat it to some of their special diesel now and again.
 
in my 300
Shell V power - defiantly gives a bit more torque and responsiveness
branded fuel - Shell / BP not noticed much difference smooth base line fuel
Tesco / ASDA - There is a noticeable drop in power don't run this unless i have too.
 
neilly said:
Hi MO,

Can you send someone else to fill it up over the next few refills and do a blind test??

Cheers
Click to expand...
It's a good idea, I like this sort of experiment, but I think my LR paranoia would be even worse, not knowing where it came from! o_O
 
Marmaduke said:
Chip oil and kerosene :p
Click to expand...

...will get your motor crushed if HMRC ever catch up with you.

Unless, of course, you were using the kerosene to run your webasto / eberspacher hydronic, to pre-heat the engine, so as when you started on the veg oil, the spray pattern in your direct injection was such that it did not cause ring gumming / sump oil emulsification etc? That must have been what you meant.... : )
 
IIRC, i've learned in the past that Shell is the only brand that totally makes their own fuels. I'm probably not talking 100% accuracy here but every other fuel brand comes from the same oil supply or summink or other but shell got their own down. I don't think BP is on that same page as shell there but could be wrong, i favour shell personally, and its just a mile away, but will go BP if needs be, i would never be able to tell the difference between those 2 myself but supermarket is clearly naff. Plus shell once filled my tank up for me, gave me a red carpet to go pay and gave me free lego and a can of coke and a "good morning" at 8am and sent me off with a "have a fantastic journey" when i was on the way to the Billing Landy show! :D so gets my vote that was top notch ;)
I just remember we did a thing on it at my motor college about shell being top dog when you get picky with who's fuel's best :)
obviously you can put in additives yourself, whether that's millers diesel ecomax, redex, 2 stroke oil or veg etc.
I've not got a 300tdi neither...
 
julianf said:
...will get your motor crushed if HMRC ever catch up with you.

Unless, of course, you were using the kerosene to run your webasto / eberspacher hydronic, to pre-heat the engine, so as when you started on the veg oil, the spray pattern in your direct injection was such that it did not cause ring gumming / sump oil emulsification etc? That must have been what you meant.... : )
Click to expand...
Ahem of course I have never put kerosene in my defender :oops:
I do like the strange looks you get pouring 20 litres of cooking oil in your tank in sainsbury's car park. I've only ever put 50/50 max oil/diesel but it does make it quieter and absolutely no detrimental effects
 
Not got a 300tdi, but.
I run my TD5 on Shell or ESSO with a fuel additive.
If I forget to fill up when I'm out then I use the local Gulf fuel also with a fuel additive.
All three seem to be good for mine!

I refuse to use supermarket fuel after experiencing the problems it caused when I had a TD4 Freelander.
 
mojo247 said:
I've had a search and found some old posts on this subject so I wanted an up-to-date opinion on which diesel is best for my 1996 300TDi Defender 110?

The reason being, that I've noticed that if I use say, BP, my engine runs nice and smoothly (well, as smooth as 23 year old Land Rover is able to run!) but then if I revert to Murco, my engine seems to not like it at all and seems to feel terrible and on some occasions noticeably lose power!

I was wondering if this was just my Land Rover paranoia and suggestibility, or is there any evidence to suggest one fuel is better than another?

Anyone have a preference for their 300tdi? Also, are there any that should be avoided?

Thanks in advance,

Mo
Click to expand...
They are all the same..... i.e (leaving the refinery)

This has been done to death.... each petrol station does add certain things to make their mark and difference but the Diesel itself is identical.
 
Tesco with Millers EcoMax, put BP Ultimate in it once but was on the way back from MotoGP and didn't really take much notice.

The Millers Fuel additive makes a massive difference. Audibly runs smoother, even my old man says so and he's a bit hard of hearing!
 
NinkyNonk said:
Tesco with Millers EcoMax, put BP Ultimate in it once but was on the way back from MotoGP and didn't really take much notice.

The Millers Fuel additive makes a massive difference. Noticeably runs smoother, even my old man says so and he's a bit hard of hearing!
Click to expand...

I like ecomax in my landy. Good in old tractors too.
 
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