Vortex diesel V ordinary diesel

[jx2mad]

I assume Vortex diesel has additives to keep fuel system clean etc but is there any advantage using it in a 21 year old diesel with nearly 300,000 k on the clock? Jim

[ramblingboy42]

well it certainly doesn't foam up like the other stuff , so you don't stand at the bowser for an extra ten minutes just trying to fill the tank

[Redback]

This is a quote from, Drive.com



Unlike premium unleaded petrol, premium diesel has no performance advantages. However, it's claimed to do a better job of cleaning your car's engine, which over time could lead to better performance and economy.
Premium diesels such as Caltex Vortex Diesel have less of an odour and contain an anti-foaming agent to help prevent the frothing in the tank that can make filling a diesel more time-consuming.

Baz.

[101RRS]

I always thought that Vortx diesel and ordinary diesel is the same thing as you can only buy Vortex at the Caltex garages I go to - assumed it was just a marketing thing to make Caltex diesel sound better.

If there is a difference why can you not buy "normal" diesel at Caltex garages and Vortex is the only option.

Garry

[nat_89]

I did like that it doesn't foam up as much that's better. But I know there's only 2 servos in my town a caltex and bp and the bp is about 7c a litre cheaper so I go there stuff the vortex haha

[Michael2]

Caltex sell normal diesel and vortex in some markets (vic). I think the premium diesel has a higher cetane rating. I was using BP exclusively, and noticed a10% improvement in economy when I used vortex.

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[sam_d]

If there is a difference why can you not buy "normal" diesel at Caltex garages and Vortex is the only option.
Garry

I've seen some Caltex Servos that offer "Truck Diesel" as well as Vortex.

Usually the "Truck Diesel" (as they call it) is a couple of cents per litre cheaper.

Whether you get any extra value from the extra two cents I can't say.

[ramblingboy42]

I think the truck diesel thing is just to get trucks to fill up there

Sometimes one truck fill is equivalent to about 10 cars , basically selling in bulk.

[V8Ian]

Vortex is an additive, usually added automatically while the truck is being loaded.
Some Caltex terminals do not have motor spirit, so source it from 'opposition' terminals. In these cases 91 RON ULP is sourced and (if the driver remembers) 4-5 litres of additive is tipped into the compartment to convert it to 95 RON ULP.

Some years ago Shell added an anti-foaming agent to their diesel, it clogged filters and was quickly dropped.

[tonic]

Next time you see truck diesel, see if it also says high flow. Trying to fill a truck from a car pump takes all day. Trying to fill a car with a truck pump can cover you in fuel.

[V8Ian]

Next time you see truck diesel, see if it also says high flow. Trying to fill a truck from a car pump takes all day. Trying to fill a car with a truck pump can cover you in fuel.

And take all day. :Rolling:

[Ferret]

I've seen some Caltex Servos that offer "Truck Diesel" as well as Vortex.

Usually the "Truck Diesel" (as they call it) is a couple of cents per litre cheaper....

Have never noticed "Truck Diesel" in Australia before but did see it recently in Europe. Shell have 3 grades of diesel there. So called 'truck', 'regular' and 'premium' diesel. Dammed if I know what the difference was, I tried all 3 and could tell no difference from the way the vehicle drove.

Anyway, the 'truck diesel' in Europe was very much cheaper than regular diesel, about 40 euro cents / litre cheaper (ie ~AU$0.5 /l cheaper). I know tax regimes etc. are very different between Australia and Europe but wonder why there is a such a big difference in the price differential between 'truck' and 'regular' diesel within the two regions - 2 c/l in Australia vs 50 c/l in Europe. It can't be just a matter of nozzle size and flow rate.

[Lotz-A-Landies]

And take all day. :Rolling:A bit like filling LPG takes all day for less distance than anything.

What I really don't like about many truck Hi-flow pumps is that they often leak onto your hands while filling so you need to wear gloves. (disposable non-sterile) there's no point using leather as you'll still bring the fumes into the car with you.

[nat_89]

And take all day. :Rolling:

Especially the new ones with the misfuelling device goodness I'll never try and fill up with a high flow one again took forever and gotta stand there holding it gently for slow flow stuff it haha.


I have seen truck diesel a bit but probably living in a mining town and near Mackay all the heavy haulage that happens calls for it only a few servos with truck diesel though ands generally a couple of cents cheaper. As for economy with premium and normal diesel can't say I notice any difference at all.

[rangietragic]

Next time you see truck diesel, see if it also says high flow. Trying to fill a truck from a car pump takes all day. Trying to fill a car with a truck pump can cover you in fuel.

Always use truck pump on defender:)

[Toxic_Avenger]

Always use Hi-Flow in the missus' Hyundai i30.
Takes 20 seconds flat to fill it :D

[Cammo]

Premium diesels are said to have a higher cetane rating. Also are allegedly better in colder climates, where the other option is "winter diesel". Not living in a particularly cold climate or using winter diesel, I can't back this up.

I do notice slightly improved economy figures when I use premium diesels over their regular counterparts. Here in the Hunter Valley, caltex uses "truck diesel" as a way of distinguishing between regular and vortex diesel. All three caltex servos I use regularly have both varieties of diesel available at normal flow and high flow pumps. I always use the high flow pumps to fill the defender, and have never been covered in diesel. I do agree that they leak sometimes though, and the lock on feature doesn't always work.

[benji]

The difference between normal and vortex diesel is an antifoaming agent and a fuel system cleaner - that's it.

According to the mdss it hasn't got a higher cetane rating.

I wonder if truck diesel is the same as agricultural diesel, normally being less refined and having a higher sulphur level.

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[jx2mad]

Our local Caltex servo sells regular diesel and straight unleaded. It is privately owned. About 5 K up the road there is a Woolworths Caltex selling vortex diesel and e 10 regular. Last week I happened to get vortex diesel cheaper than regular

[d2dave]

Hi flow works ok on my D1 and D2, so if one is available I use it. Much quicker.

[ramblingboy42]

I don't know how you do it Dave,,,,,it starts to foam and thats the end of a fast fill for me ...D2 , I even put larger breathe hose in. Still get massive foaming....the last ten litres takes ten minutes

[PhilipA]

Yes, In Karratha the cheapest fuel in town is at the BP truck terminal which is automated with credit card only and truck pumps.

Same at Kununurra with the Coop .

Thank goodness for the WA fuelwatch site which I discovered this on although nobody on the GRR is listed!LOL
I wish more towns had truck terminals as I don't need Mars bars.

Question, why is it possible for the WA government to have an excellent site but no one else has a worthwhile site for country towns. Motormouth is "OK" for the Gold Coast but pretty useless anywhere else. The RACQ site seems useless and NT is also pretty useless, although it did confirm some data I picked up on Exporeoz that Katherine is the cheapest place in NT.
Regards Philip A

[wardy1]

I have no problem with foaming fuel, even with the Hi Flow pumps (D2a).
I do use IXL diesel conditioner which is made in the US. Cleans and lubricates injectors and also has an anti foaming agent which doesn't clog anything.

Cost is $32/ltr which treats 1,800 litres or $0.056c/ltr. This is significantly cheaper than the Wynns stuff sold by most servo's at around $8/tankful.

I have very carefully monitored fuel consumption now for 4 months and normal economy is 10.2ltr/100k, Prior to IXL, I was using 11.9. So it seems a pretty reasonable investment to me. It certainly more than offsets its own cost.

By the way my D2a is normally carrying around 400kg of stuff onboard too.

[ramblingboy42]

diesel fuel foaming back on me is almost a chronic problem.....I'm sure I'm not alone in this...who else has the problem?

btw I checked my hoses several times just to be sure and they are free.

some servos flow well, most foam like hell.....I also notice its less when the fuel is cooler i.e.. fill up in the morning.

[Chops]

I have no problem with foaming fuel, even with the Hi Flow pumps (D2a).
I do use IXL diesel conditioner which is made in the US. Cleans and lubricates injectors and also has an anti foaming agent which doesn't clog anything.

Cost is $32/ltr which treats 1,800 litres or $0.056c/ltr. This is significantly cheaper than the Wynns stuff sold by most servo's at around $8/tankful.

I have very carefully monitored fuel consumption now for 4 months and normal economy is 10.2ltr/100k, Prior to IXL, I was using 11.9. So it seems a pretty reasonable investment to me. It certainly more than offsets its own cost.

By the way my D2a is normally carrying around 400kg of stuff onboard too.


We'll be talking about this shortly Alan,, sounds good.

[stealth]

I have a custom built tray on my 130 (made by me) and the filler hose has a slight kink in it. It has the effect of making a strange noise as the tank gets close to full. It means I can use the truck pumps flat out and get a warning that it is full just a few seconds before it splashes out. It is a 'Custom Designed Anti Splash Warning Hose Kink' now.

[Naviguesser]

I used to use the United servo just down the road from home, but gave up as it was impossible to use because of the foaming..

Now use Vortex and very happy, full flow on the handle no problem.
Only a cent per litre difference, don't shop at Woolworths so don't get that discount.

[SLOWBOAT]

I have always used BP for all of my fuels (including my race bikes) and never had a complaint, then used their diesel and it seemed ok but it did foam. Then I used Caltex Premium Vortex Diesel and I can use the fast flow and I have increased my fuel economy by approx. 40kms per tank and that is monitored over 20 tank fulls. So I still use BP for Petrol but Caltex for Diesel.
I use the paper towelling at the servo for my hands and around the handle.

[Redback]

The difference between normal and vortex diesel is an antifoaming agent and a fuel system cleaner - that's it.

According to the mdss it hasn't got a higher cetane rating.

I wonder if truck diesel is the same as agricultural diesel, normally being less refined and having a higher sulphur level.

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No it's not, truck diesel is just regular diesel, you'll find that Ag diesel is not used like it used to be, due to the more modern diesels used in the trucking industry as well as any modern diesels, to high a sulpher levels.

As for these highflow pumps,

With the D4, the filler hole is small and the highflow nozzle won't fit, I still use it though, as long as you postion the end of the nozzle in the right place it works well, with a long range tank in our D4, it will take ages if you use the other pump.

Baz.

[carjunkieanon]

D2a using high flow pump whenever available and have never had splash back or problem. It helps to trickle the last few litres in.