Diesel, standard vs low sulphur
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- Cadet
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Diesel, standard vs low sulphur
Hi All,
I'm not sure if this has been discussed, but is there a major difference between standard diesel and low Sulphur diesel?
My wife has a Duster 1.5DCi and the difference at the pump between standard and low sulphur is almost R1/ltr.
Will the standard be worse for engine/injectors longevity?
I'm not sure if this has been discussed, but is there a major difference between standard diesel and low Sulphur diesel?
My wife has a Duster 1.5DCi and the difference at the pump between standard and low sulphur is almost R1/ltr.
Will the standard be worse for engine/injectors longevity?
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- mk2-phreak
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Re: Diesel, standard vs low sulphur
Most fuel stations have 50ppm (low sulphur). Use that for a modern turbodiesel engine. Sasol has 10ppm, even lower, but often more expensive. Use that if you can afford it
- Neuk
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Re: Diesel, standard vs low sulphur
I suggest using whatever is recommended for the car in question.
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Re: Diesel, standard vs low sulphur
With later model cars it is always the lower sulfur variant that is recommended.
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Re: Diesel, standard vs low sulphur
Update:
What I have realised by keeping a log book, is that the quality of diesel varies quite a bit between brands.
Currently Sasol gives me about an extra 30kms per R200 filling up over Caltex.
Next up for testing is our local Agri supplier BKB, as they are much cheaper compared to standard filling stations.
What I have realised by keeping a log book, is that the quality of diesel varies quite a bit between brands.
Currently Sasol gives me about an extra 30kms per R200 filling up over Caltex.
Next up for testing is our local Agri supplier BKB, as they are much cheaper compared to standard filling stations.
Do it once, do it right!
Current:
Ex:
'13 Polo Vivo 1.6 - stock- RIP
'08 rox 1.4i - 76kw - sold
Current:
Ex:
'13 Polo Vivo 1.6 - stock- RIP
'08 rox 1.4i - 76kw - sold
- Jetta2
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Re: Diesel, standard vs low sulphur
Exactly the same roads and routes, exactly the same driving conditions (weather, traffic volumes,etc), exactly the same speeds, exactly the same throttle openings, etc?
Ryan Demoser
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- mk2-phreak
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Re: Diesel, standard vs low sulphur
I've done back to back tanks with both my B7 and a Q7 3.0 TDI, there was no significant differences in mileage achieved between Engen, Caltex, Shell or Sasol 50ppm Diesel.
With the exception of Sasol, all the diesel is coming from the same refinery.
I will say that with Sasol ultra low sulphur diesel (10ppm) the engines did seem to run smoother.
- missioner
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Re: Diesel, standard vs low sulphur
Do NOT use 500ppm diesel, AKA Standard diesel, in any modern common rail fed engine, especially not in a Duster DCi. The Continental/VDO injectors in this car are not serviceable and if they fail, which happens often even with 50ppm, it's costly to replace them.thepot wrote:Hi All,
I'm not sure if this has been discussed, but is there a major difference between standard diesel and low Sulphur diesel?
My wife has a Duster 1.5DCi and the difference at the pump between standard and low sulphur is almost R1/ltr.
Will the standard be worse for engine/injectors longevity?
To qualify what I mean by modern, is pretty much everything after 2005 including HMV and Agri machines.
The evidence of what this fuel does to an engine is not apparent in a short time but rather is accumulative. The higher sulphur content makes the fuel abrasive and gradually erodes the high precision parts of the fuel system down till they fail.
The same is true for the engine internals such as pistons and piston rings. To mitigate this one would have to run much shorter service intervals, like in the old days.
Don't do it, we have the technology.
'87 Golf 1 Olde Skewl OEM+
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Re: Diesel, standard vs low sulphur
I really appreciate all the input.
Will stick with Sasol then. BKB do supply some non-mainstream service stations with 50ppm. But after reading above I'm not sure I can trust them lol.
@Jetta2, Yes driving conditions and routes are pretty much the same week to week.
Thanks once again.
Will stick with Sasol then. BKB do supply some non-mainstream service stations with 50ppm. But after reading above I'm not sure I can trust them lol.
@Jetta2, Yes driving conditions and routes are pretty much the same week to week.
Thanks once again.
Do it once, do it right!
Current:
Ex:
'13 Polo Vivo 1.6 - stock- RIP
'08 rox 1.4i - 76kw - sold
Current:
Ex:
'13 Polo Vivo 1.6 - stock- RIP
'08 rox 1.4i - 76kw - sold
- Neuk
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Re: Diesel, standard vs low sulphur
Depending where you live, with the exception of 10ppm, it is likely that even Sasol 50ppm or 500ppm comes from the same refinery as other brands.mk2-phreak wrote: ↑Wed Apr 13, 2022 6:58 pmI've done back to back tanks with both my B7 and a Q7 3.0 TDI, there was no significant differences in mileage achieved between Engen, Caltex, Shell or Sasol 50ppm Diesel.
With the exception of Sasol, all the diesel is coming from the same refinery.
I will say that with Sasol ultra low sulphur diesel (10ppm) the engines did seem to run smoother.
Current Garage:
Daily Drive: 2014 VW Touareg 3.0 V6 TDi R-Line
Project Fes: 1982 VW Golf GLS 1.5
Project FeO: 1966 VW Type 2 Transporter Kombi Split Window
Previous Garage:
Roxy: 2015 VW Golf R
Vagon: 2005 Audi B6 A4 1.8T (140kw) Avant
Project XXXX: 1967 VW Type 3 Variant (Squareback)
Project Betty: 2005 Polo 1.9 TDI (PD130) Sportline
Weekend Warrior: 1993 Volkswagen Caddy 2.0 16v ABF on ITB's
Daily Drive: 2014 VW Touareg 3.0 V6 TDi R-Line
Project Fes: 1982 VW Golf GLS 1.5
Project FeO: 1966 VW Type 2 Transporter Kombi Split Window
Previous Garage:
Roxy: 2015 VW Golf R
Vagon: 2005 Audi B6 A4 1.8T (140kw) Avant
Project XXXX: 1967 VW Type 3 Variant (Squareback)
Project Betty: 2005 Polo 1.9 TDI (PD130) Sportline
Weekend Warrior: 1993 Volkswagen Caddy 2.0 16v ABF on ITB's
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Re: Diesel, standard vs low sulphur
All base fuel made locally is made to the exact same standards and fully imported base fuel has to conform to the same or similar standards with the only differences between brands being the additives that are added either in the tanker before delivery to a fuel station, in tanks at fuel stations or while being pumped in to a vehicle. Sasol is able to make 10ppm due to it having one refinery that refines fuel from coal and with the exception of this refinery and the PetroSa refinery which uses gas all refineries in SA use imported crude oil to refine fuel.thepot wrote: ↑Thu Apr 14, 2022 10:09 am I really appreciate all the input.
Will stick with Sasol then. BKB do supply some non-mainstream service stations with 50ppm. But after reading above I'm not sure I can trust them lol.
@Jetta2, Yes driving conditions and routes are pretty much the same week to week.
Thanks once again.
Current Garage:
Daily Drive: 2014 VW Touareg 3.0 V6 TDi R-Line
Project Fes: 1982 VW Golf GLS 1.5
Project FeO: 1966 VW Type 2 Transporter Kombi Split Window
Previous Garage:
Roxy: 2015 VW Golf R
Vagon: 2005 Audi B6 A4 1.8T (140kw) Avant
Project XXXX: 1967 VW Type 3 Variant (Squareback)
Project Betty: 2005 Polo 1.9 TDI (PD130) Sportline
Weekend Warrior: 1993 Volkswagen Caddy 2.0 16v ABF on ITB's
Daily Drive: 2014 VW Touareg 3.0 V6 TDi R-Line
Project Fes: 1982 VW Golf GLS 1.5
Project FeO: 1966 VW Type 2 Transporter Kombi Split Window
Previous Garage:
Roxy: 2015 VW Golf R
Vagon: 2005 Audi B6 A4 1.8T (140kw) Avant
Project XXXX: 1967 VW Type 3 Variant (Squareback)
Project Betty: 2005 Polo 1.9 TDI (PD130) Sportline
Weekend Warrior: 1993 Volkswagen Caddy 2.0 16v ABF on ITB's
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- Lieutenant
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Re: Diesel, standard vs low sulphur
One should differentiate between the engine parts lubricated by the Diesel itself (Diesel pump, injectors, tandem pump, unit injectors, high pressure pump, etc. - depending on the exact engine), and those that are lubricated by oil (pistons, engine bearings, cams, rollers / followers etc.).
In terms of Diesel lubricity, I am skeptical about the notion that higher sulphur content makes Diesel "abrasive". To the contrary, sulphur compounds would actually add lubricity to the fuel. (Extreme pressure additives in gearbox oil, for example, are sulphur based.) But even low sulphur fuel is "supposed" to contain sufficient lubricity additives, as lubricity is part of the standards that Neuk mentioned.
What the sulphur does do, is create more acidity in the engine oil, because blow-by gases contain SO2, SO3 and water vapour, which combine to form sulphurous and sulphuric acid, which must be neutralised by the additive package in the oil. So, the higher the sulphur content, the faster the detergents in the oil are used up, which is counterproductive with long service intervals.
Sulphur can also poison an exhaust catalyst.
In terms of Diesel lubricity, I am skeptical about the notion that higher sulphur content makes Diesel "abrasive". To the contrary, sulphur compounds would actually add lubricity to the fuel. (Extreme pressure additives in gearbox oil, for example, are sulphur based.) But even low sulphur fuel is "supposed" to contain sufficient lubricity additives, as lubricity is part of the standards that Neuk mentioned.
What the sulphur does do, is create more acidity in the engine oil, because blow-by gases contain SO2, SO3 and water vapour, which combine to form sulphurous and sulphuric acid, which must be neutralised by the additive package in the oil. So, the higher the sulphur content, the faster the detergents in the oil are used up, which is counterproductive with long service intervals.
Sulphur can also poison an exhaust catalyst.
Mark R.
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2004 VW Golf TDI, type 1J, AHF, 317k (2016-current) --- daily
1990 VW Fox, type 16, HM, 304k (2005-current) --- spare runaround
Previous:
1992 Audi 500 SE, type C4, AAR (2001-2020) --- nice while it lasted
1983 VW Golf GTS, type 17, FR (1992-2005) --- most fun car I've ever had
1978 Audi 100 GLS 5E, type 43, WC (1991-92) --- died in the side of a Rekord who cut me off
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- missioner
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Re: Diesel, standard vs low sulphur
Thanks for the added details about this.VAG Fan wrote:One should differentiate between the engine parts lubricated by the Diesel itself (Diesel pump, injectors, tandem pump, unit injectors, high pressure pump, etc. - depending on the exact engine), and those that are lubricated by oil (pistons, engine bearings, cams, rollers / followers etc.).
In terms of Diesel lubricity, I am skeptical about the notion that higher sulphur content makes Diesel "abrasive". To the contrary, sulphur compounds would actually add lubricity to the fuel. (Extreme pressure additives in gearbox oil, for example, are sulphur based.) But even low sulphur fuel is "supposed" to contain sufficient lubricity additives, as lubricity is part of the standards that Neuk mentioned.
What the sulphur does do, is create more acidity in the engine oil, because blow-by gases contain SO2, SO3 and water vapour, which combine to form sulphurous and sulphuric acid, which must be neutralised by the additive package in the oil. So, the higher the sulphur content, the faster the detergents in the oil are used up, which is counterproductive with long service intervals.
Sulphur can also poison an exhaust catalyst.
Always good to learn more.
'87 Golf 1 Olde Skewl OEM+