Caltex vortex premium diesel

[MT2007]

I found this site by accident when I noticed an odd loss of performance in my 2011 Golf GTD DSG and went googling. I also drove a manual 2.0TDI EOS before this which I absolutely loved.

There is another thread on this site discussing the relative merits of different brands of diesel fuel. I have always bought Caltex vortex because I have a starcard and have very happy with performance. I have recently changed locations and have started using ampol diesel (on starcard). I have noticed a real loss of acceleration at low speeds. The car only has 10,000k maybe there is something in what Caltex are claiming...

[gldgti]

Im my opinion (after driving perhaps 1,000,000 km in diesel vw's) running diesel and biodiesel -

1. the quality of the diesel you put in the tank is very important to a new TDI to ensure it runs well and stays that way
2. the most important factor in fuel quality is the specific fuel station from which you get fuel, rather than the "brand" (although the premium diesel is undoubtedly different from "regular" diesel).

I buy all my diesel from a local metro, because the fuel quality is excellent there. my backup is a BP (sometimes the metro runs out!)

[bluey]

Im my opinion [...] the most important factor in fuel quality is the specific fuel station from which you get fuel[...]

Hmmm. Doesn't pretty much all fuel in Australia come from a single local refinery? (I have a relative who used to be a chemical engineer at BP.) So the base fuel is probably the same. Different brands have different additives. So in diesel, we have Caltex Vortex with a bit of biodiesel + injector cleaner + ?other. BP Ultimate has a cetane improver + injector cleaner + antifoam. None that I know of have fungicide.

Beyond the fuel, then presumably there could be local station factors which might affect the fuel in the tanks or the quality of the filters on the bowsers???

[cru22z]

Just filled up a full tank of vortex diesel on my 125 tdi. Let's see how she goes. I noticed that the vortex is green in colour compare to BP diesel with same colour as water.

[bluey]

Speaking to a servo owner, I found out a lot of fuel is apparently refined overseas these days (eg India).

I don't use vortex diesel without adding a cetane improver, since the specification of cetane of Caltex Vortex diesel does not meet the VAG diesel specification of 51CZ.

The Caltex product specification says: "Cetane index or number 46 min. ASTM D4737 or Calculated" and in email to me said "The cetane index of the Caltex product is typically >50.".

So typically, the Vortex Diesel may or may not meet the VAG cetane specification (how often does "typically >50" rise over 51???). For DPF equipped vehicles, you will not see the smoke out the back if the cetane is lower, your DPF will just clog up until you notice poor performance or the car does its DPF cleaning cycle.

Can't say I've noticed any colour difference between diesels.

[Transporter]

Filled up with Vortex two days ago and first impressions aren't bad. The visible smoke in the rear view mirror (do that since I have my T5) about the same as BP Premium Diesel and not noticeable power loss, will see later if the fuel economy changes.

...and after more than 3 months on Caltex Vortex I'm back to BP Premium. Cold or even warm starts aren't the same as with BP, it takes longer to crank sometimes and it's not a battery. I'm glad that I don't have the DPF in my T5 and that our other 3 DPF equiped cars were continue using BP.

[cru22z]

Crap!!hope I don't stuff up my 125 tdi CR deisel putting the vortex diesel

[bluey]

I'm happy running our non-dpf Polo with Morey's diesel smoke killer + standard diesel or marginally better than standard, Vortex. When the DPF Yeti arrives, not sure what I'm going to put in it. Probably start with a couple of tanks of BP Ultimate and keep lots of stats, then try Vortex+Morey's.

Really, I think BP Marketing are idiots for not highlighting the issues of diesels aren't diesels with DPF-equipped cars. Also idiots for not stitching up a marketing deal with VW/Audi/Skoda/etc to promote that BP Ultimate is the only product on the market that meets the 51CZ specification. Interestingly, the Yeti brochure doesn't say 51CZ.

Just looking again and the diesel world looks a very slippery place:
BP Ultimate says "cetane rating", which means who knows what.
Caltex quotes Cetane index or number 46 min. (typically >50 not in public documents)
VW brochures specify 51CZ.
Audi brochure (Q3) specifies sulphur-free DIN EN590-compliant diesel.
DIN EN590 says minimum cetane number 51, minimum cetane index 46.
Yeti brochure says nothing except "diesel". Owner's manual says diesel compliant with EN 590 (standard DIN 51628 in Germany, standard ÖNORM C 1590 in Austria, GOST R 52368-2005/EN 590:2004 in Russia).

I can say that Morey's diesel smoke killer makes a visual difference to smoke out the back under a heavy right foot, similar to BP Ultimate and both appear to me to make an audible difference in diesel clatter as well.

[Transporter]

I'm happy running our non-dpf Polo with Morey's diesel smoke killer + standard diesel or marginally better than standard, Vortex. When the DPF Yeti arrives, not sure what I'm going to put in it. Probably start with a couple of tanks of BP Ultimate and keep lots of stats, then try Vortex+Morey's.

I can say that Morey's diesel smoke killer makes a visual difference to smoke out the back under a heavy right foot, similar to BP Ultimate and both appear to me to make an audible difference in diesel clatter as well.

I use Morey DSK with BP Premium as well, it's suitable for the DPF. In cars with the DPF I stick precisely to the recommended ratio of 1:650, I use bottle from Fuel Doctor additive sold by Supercheap Auto, but any clear bottle will do, just mark with permanent marker on the bottle what is the required dosage for the volume of your fuel tank.

The cars with no DPF you can overdose it a bit without any ill effect.

[bluey]

I use Morey DSK with BP Premium as well, it's suitable for the DPF.

Because BP Ultimate diesel is standard diesel with additive package including cetane improving additive (nitro-type IIRC), I have been reluctant to add more additives to it.

Likewise I stick pretty close to the 1:650 ratio. (I use an old Duralt fuel additive bottle.) Not sure what the cetane improving additive is in Morey's DSK.

[Transporter]

Because BP Ultimate diesel is standard diesel with additive package including cetane improving additive (nitro-type IIRC), I have been reluctant to add more additives to it.

Likewise I stick pretty close to the 1:650 ratio. (I use an old Duralt fuel additive bottle.) Not sure what the cetane improving additive is in Morey's DSK.

Yeh, my bad that should be 1:650, I lost the 0. (fixed now)

[bluey]

Just a note to highlight that BP Ultimate according to BP no longer has a cetane improving additive. (explosion risk managing the 2ehn additive prior to adding it) Caltex has at least sometimes got biodiesel in it (FAME noted in the msds), and 2% biodiesel is the best lubricity improver for a low sulphur diesel. So at this point Caltex Vortex is probably the preferred diesel product. will get Caltex to clarify the biodiesel question.

[Greg Roles]

Very interesting! Thanks Bluey, good find for the autoignition clan.

[bluey]

So it looks like people who live in Newcastle and Hunter Valley are the lucky ones....

Caltex Vortex diesel marketed in the Newcastle (NSW ) area, and Hunter Valley contains 2% Biodiesel. In all the rest of the Caltex marketing area in Australia, Caltex Diesel and Caltex Vortex Diesel do not contain any Biodiesel at all.

Anyone know a good source of biodiesel??

[Greg Roles]

Yep but none of them will own up as they are supposed to pay tax on it!