Since I'm new to the diesel world, is there a difference in the quality of diesel fuel from brand name stations to mom and pop stores? Are all diesels the same?
I know to buy from a place that has a high turn over. That way the fuel is fresh in their tanks, and not to buy when a refuel truck is parked there or within a few hours or so after due to the stur up of contaminates at the bottom of the tanks as they are refueled.
Thanks
Oh yeah the fuel quality can vary... worst fuel I've ever experienced must have been in Kansas. In fact I raced on that crap during the '03 Nationals!
The midwest has equally crappy gasoline too - not just diesel. I have no idea why the fuel quality in that particular region is so poor...
As for tips to avoid the bad diesel... what I do when I'm traveling cross-country in foreign lands, is generally speaking, try and fill up at the newest, cleanest, best name-brand fueling stations. There are no guarantees however. When fueling up locally, I get it from places that I know from previous experience to have good fuel.
i usualy use shell in canada (west coast bc/alberta shel ldeisel comes from a new refinery in alberta), woudlt use it in the east tho. other option here is mohawk or husky, which both have diesel max.
I was in the states last week and filled up a Mobil station, the receipt/speedpass looked like esso, 2 outa 3 of my cold starts on this tank result in a cloud of smoke and lots of chugging, as if the cold start lever wasn't used. Avoid esso/mobil.
Been running on jet fuel for the last year. much cleaner, easier starts in the winter. a tad less power though.
I've been only using shell ultra or sunoco gold, i get a bit more mileage and and smokes a bit less