Low Sulfur Fuel - Stuck Injectors

[Boldt's Wagon]

As reported in the Feb, 2002 issue of National Fisherman: During the 2001 fishing season, there were numerous stuck injectors on 53 series Detroit Diesels installed in seine skiffs in Ketchikan, Petersburg, and Juneau. Testing found that injectors would stick after 20 to 30 minutes at full power. Further investigation and sampling of fuel found that the last fuel barged into Ketchikan had lower sulfur than previous shipments (courtesy of the EPA). The lower sulfur has lower lubrication. Alaska Diesel Power is experimenting with various after-market fuel additives with hopes of finding a solution in time for this year's season.



Keep your eyes open for any pump or injector problems that might be caused by the current program of sulfur reduction in diesel fuel. (All the GM 6. 2 L diesels got the pumps rebuilt/replaced by the first sulfur reduction in the late 80's. )

 

[The patriot]

Well... . I guess my injectors are safe!

Eric

 

[Champane Flight]

Low Sulfur

Low sulfur does not mean low lubrication. Lowering the sulfer level of diesel fuels by old refining methods does lower lubricity. However,the lubricity has to be up to a certain level for shipment. This is done with a light oil stock blend.



Some companys have new methods of refining fuels for low sulfer regulations

Z-sorb technology being done at Phillips 66 is one way. It also is more cost effective than old refining methods and retains most of the original lubricity.

 

[Cooker]

Sulfer itself is not all that good either. The acidic by-products of burned sulfer can cause an increase in carbon deposits.



I am unsure if an increased level of sulfur increases the of carbon deposits. I say this becasue, it may be that low sulfur and high sulfer fuel have an equal ability to form, or aid in the formation of carbon deposits? I can only assume that as the sulfer content increases so do the chances of an increase in carbon deposits becasue the acidic by products of the burned sulfur will increase as well.



I use a fuel additive either way. To decrease carbon deposits and increase lubricity



FWIW - The Powerjoke dealers around here are telling their customers not to burn "red" fuel (you know that high sulfur off-road stuff ). They are claiming it is bad for the trucks. I would assume this has something to do with the increased sulfur causing an increase in carbon deposits and causing the Powerjoke to run poorly.



I don't think we have to be as concerned about this. Aside from the fact there are many TDR members running this odd red fuel without any negative side affects, our motors are used in many more applications than the PS motors (at least that is what I am lead to believe). With a wider range of applications, many industrial/agricultural, I think the Cummins engineers designed our Cummins to operate with a little more tolerance and tolerate a little wider range, and possibly, quality of fuels. JMHO.



-Ryan

 

[Turbo Thom]

Your CTD can run on kerosene with a degree of oil mixed. If it can have a burn out of the injector pump and run on engine oil, what can't it run on. I have heard of two pumps that burned out seals and had runaway on engine that is pumped to lube the pump. I will say this on the after market lube products. I have used the Stanedyne Jr for about 3 years with good results as for as I can tell. My truck will crank on cold morning on a 1 sec. crank time and idle up quickly with no trouble. The wife's 98 has used nothing and has a harder time starting and getting rpm's up to a good sound. I believe this is attributed to the Stanadyne. At 196,000miles I had an injection pump replaced due to an external problem and was told the look of the pump looked very good. I will continue to use it and will start in the other truck.



. . Preston. .