Low Sulfur Diesel in TX

[Kernel]

I talked with a diesel injection shop today about my dying VE pump and the tech I was talking with mentioned that from Corpus Christi up North along the interstates to San Antonio would be carrying low sulfur diesel only. He then mentioned he thought there would be an increase in pump failures associated with this fuel. He went on to say buying some sort of additive would be needed in each tank. Have any of you all down this way, or anywhere for that matter, heard of this? What is the possibility of this "new" fuel causing a decrease in pump lubrication that can result in pump failure?



Scott

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

To each his own - I *REGULARLY* use a mix of Power Service additive mixed 50/50 with a ashless synthetic blend of 2-stroke oil for added fuel lubricity - 33,000 trouble-free miles on my VP-44 so far...

 

[CarlJensen]

Stanadyne, Rotella, and many others put out a good DFA (deisel fuel additive) that help pumps survive low sulfer fuel. Search fuel additives and be ready for a long and sometimes heated read of all the pros and cons of each.

 

[MMeier]

Fyi....

All diesel sold in the U. S. in the past 10 yrs has been "low sulphur", there was a big deal about it in the fall of '93. Yes they have been taking more and more of it out of the fuel over time, even "off road" fuel is the same way, just has the dye added to it to distinguish it from stuff that is destined for on road use.

 

[Wayno]

Hey Kernel , he probably was talking about the Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel that is coming to Texas . It is already here but only some of the Cities , Counties and the State are using it. It will be coming first to all the high smog cities that are getting the car tail pipe smog check thing and then it will be through out the whole state , this is what I have been told . I have a friend that owns a Exxon gas stations and he told me that he was just told that Diesel will be going up in price alot after the first of the year so that might be when it is coming to the Houston area . It will cost more to make the U. L. S. D.

 

[gitchesum]

From Chevron's Lubricants website:





Does low sulfur diesel fuel have enough lubricity?



Yes. Even though the process used to lower the sulfur in diesel can also remove some of the components that give the fuel its lubricity, reputable refiners monitor this property and use an additive, as needed, to raise the lubricity to an acceptable level.

 

[Kernel]

So how expensive is this ULSD going to be? I mean, they already hike the price of it up to match gas, how much more are they going to go. Looks like it's going to be what the early 70's were to the gassers.



Scott

 

[rbattelle]

From Chevron's Lubricants website:





Does low sulfur diesel fuel have enough lubricity?



Yes. Even though the process used to lower the sulfur in diesel can also remove some of the components that give the fuel its lubricity, reputable refiners monitor this property and use an additive, as needed, to raise the lubricity to an acceptable level.

That's good to hear. I've been assuming I'd need to begin adding a lubricity enhancer (currently I use nothing) after ULSD becomes prevalent.

 

[me4osu]

I thought the ULSD was the whole reason behind this latest hike in diesel prices. I just paid $1. 96 this morning in Waller. I know Waller is within the Houston / Galveston non-attainment area, but diesel in Bellville (Austin Co. ) was $1. 99. This is insane.



BTW

JD summer formula in every tank; 187,000 mi on original VP-44.

 

[Kernel]

Yep, must be here. The lowest fuel around here is $1. 94, the highest is $2. 05. Guess I will start to detune it now. No, maybe I'll just eat less than I do.



Scott