Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Gut feeling on current fuel quality...

[Gary - K7GLD]

Judging by the recent radical increase in failures of lift pumps and VP-44's, I sorta suspect something has changed in the quality of diesel fuel refining we're not being informed about- there are too many problems, too suddenly, to simply ignore - so as my personal precaution, I have increased my percentages of fuel lubricity additives - and my filtering is about as good as it gets... Keeping my fingers crossed...

 

[rwitt]

Gary,

That could very well be true. I lost my lift pump 3 weeks ago, 38,000 miles on it. But then again I'm getting as good or better fuel mileage as I've ever gotten with the truck.

Rich

 

[jtisdale]

Fuel quality does vary from supplier to supplier. I took a few samples from various filling stations in our area to the local pump shop for testing. He tested each sample for cetane. Some were significantly lower than others. He also speculated that the lubricity might be lower (in conjunction with the cetane #'s). Buyer beware (you get what you pay for).

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

I'm wondering if in the mad rush to adjust refining setup to obtain more gasoline from a given amount of crude, quality of the remaining diesel produced has diminished...



It's my understanding that such refining shifts are easily done, shifting production more to produce one product than another - and it surely must include a price to be paid as to final quality of one or more of the final products... At the moment, it seems OUR cost as diesel owners is in lift pumps and injection pumps...

 

[The patriot]

Guess I'm real lucky. I'm still on the fuel I bought last year for about a buck a gallon.

I estimate I have about 200-300 gallons left.

Eric

 

[rweis]

I think Gary is right.



Step back and look at the daily postings. LOTS of lp / VP.



Maybe the LSF switch has already taken place or is taking place right as we speak.



I think lubricity additives will be REQUIRED in every tank to keep lp / VP from failing.



my . 02



Bob Weis

 

[Ramafid]

I thought the very same thing. I had great pump pressure from a new lift pump that was only 2. 5 months old when all of a sudden it started acting up. The "new" lift pump is doing fine also but pressure goes up and down 2-3 psi a lot. I am not sure it is going to last very long either. The first thing I thought was bad fuel and now I know I am not alone in thinking that. I wonder how the FASS and Preporator will hold up?

 

[Ncostello]

Marathon is still in the construction phase of its gasoline desulfurization plant here locally at the refinery. The company I work for is building it. Its about 80% done construction wise... . and that does not include testing. Were still lifting the vessels into place. Some have yet to arrive from Korea. This is going to be the real low sulfur gas meeting new standards. Diesel is next by 2007. They are drawing the prints up for that plant now with construction to begin late this year.



I dont think anyone is making the ultra low sulfur gas at this point. Its not required right now and few refineries like to spend money on this process until they have to. Its coming... but most are still building the plants. Of course this has nothing to do with squeezing more fuel out of crude as Gary mentioned. I have no clue on that.



I'd sure like to know if newer fuels are going to be tough on my 1999. With fuel prices the way they are... I doubt I'll be doubling the dose on Stanadyne anytime soon. If my 99 can't handle it... I guess I'll either be looking at a new 04 2500 (assuming they can handle it). If I can't have a Dodge diesel... I suppose I'll just get a V6 gasser 1/2 ton and be miserable.

 

[Duluth Diesel]

This is exactly why I run Power Service additives in EVERY tank. I do consulting work for some oil companies, and talking to people at the tank farms and refineries I have learned that all fuel is not created equal. You're trusting some refinery guy to mix properly, and trusting that the company mixing the fuel hasn't decided to skimp on additives. I would rather trust myself with my truck and expensive VP44, so I mix my own fuel.

 

[Guest]

dump in the stanadyne and keep hopin for the best... ... .

 

[Cummins Pilot]

In the next year I'll get the FASS.



Hopefully it all keeps chuggin along.



Fuel PSI gauge soon.



PS in every tank.

 

[StakeMan]

Put some B20 bio in and hurt them where it counts.

 

[Texas Diesel]

I've got 4k of warranty left, 2 cycle oil added to every fillup, 12v and 24v.



Gary I think you may be on to something, too bad we have to bomb our fuel to make it work right. Wonder how the HEUI injectors are holding up, the are very dependant on fuel quality. Wonder if it is possible to take a 500 gallon tank to Hispania (aka Mexico) and buy diesel.

 

[jtisdale]

Its a good theory Gary, but I kinda disagree a little. If fuel quality was quickly on the downward spiral, I think ag equiptment, semi's, and all other diesels would be suffering failures at higher rates as well. I do agree that fuel quality does vary from supplier. I have seen this first hand.

I would like to offer this theory. The 24 valves with the vps are getting older and are racking up more and more miles everyday. It is only inevetible that the failure rate is rising. Also, with the membership of this website growing at a quick pace, more of the newer members are reporting failures.

I will pull another sample of the fuel I run and have it tested (to satisfy my own couriosty). It has tested a pretty consistant cetane level of 52 in the past.

Jim

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

"I think ag equiptment, semi's, and all other diesels would be suffering failures at higher rates as well. '



On the other hand, we really don't know that they AREN'T seeing more fuel-related problems/failures... Not that many fitting the AG/semi's profile are members here - plus, it's pretty much a given that our 24 valve setups are on the "front lines" where fuel quality sensitivity is concerned. The cetane rating is only part of the equation - hopefully the outfit doing your analysis will report any accompanying issues that might surface as well - keep us posted.