Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Low sulfur fuel

[Fiver]

I heard a rumor that the coming low sulfur diesel fuel (2007?)does not provide adequate lubrication for our injector pumps (VP 44)) but the new common rail system does not need it. Anybody know anything about this?If true, any fix available? Reason to move to an 03?

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

Tree-huggers, EPA and others to the contrary, reduced sulphur in our fuel is NOT a good thing for overall longevity of our engines and related components - BUT, the abundance of decent lubricity improvers at reasonable cost pretty well overcomes that deficiency - and many guys prefer to use those additives in any case for added benefits...



The lubricity issue alone is hardly reason to avoid pre-'03's, after all, the roads are literally FILLED with older diesels which will hardly collapse as soon as the newer diesel fuels hit the streets...

 

[redram]

The old spec was 0. 5% sulfur content in diesel fuel. This was reduced to 0. 05% sulfur content and "quote" the world was going to end and all injection pumps would suffer failure and premature wear. Lo and behold, very few injection pumps failed due to reduction of sulfur content. Several of older pumps had issues with the reduction in aromatics made at the same time as the reduction in sulfur content but these were rare and infrequent and resulted in some leaks but nothing that new o-rings did not solve.

In reality, the diesel fuel that you currently purchase in the US more than likely is already at 0. 01 to 0. 03% sulfur content as refineries gear up to meet the new 2007 pecs.



IMHO, don't worry / fret about what you can not change. As previously remarked upon, there are plenty of fuel additives that can be used if this is keeping you up at night.



Hopefully, this sheds some light on to the changes that have already occurred, indicating that the 2007 spec may not be a sweeping change as one might expect.

 

[Riflesmith]

As I understand it, Ultra Low Sulfer Diesel Fuel(ULSD) will be mandated beginning on January 1, 2006. Sulfer will be limited to 15ppm versus today's 500ppm. Aromatic compounds will be reduced as well, to 10% maximum. The results of these changes should be:



Negative Results;

1. The new fuel will cost more. Does this surprise anyone?



2. Higher gel point.



3. Lower fuel density due to removal of aromatic compounds. This will result in a slight decrease in fuel economy.



4. Less natural lubricity than today's fuel.



Positive Results;



1. Higher natural cetane rating. Should be around 50. Today's fuel is 40-42. This will result in a more efficient burn, a quieter engine, and less soot in engine oil and exhaust. The more efficient burn will offset the slight decrease in fuel economy noted above.



2. Better politics for diesels. The new fuel will make diesels more palatable to the American Public. More manufacturers will offer diesel cars in the American market, since they will be able to meet passenger vehicle emission standards with the new fuel.



This is a very complex issue. It is important to realize that there are some positive things to be said about the upcoming switch to ULSD.

 

[Jeddi]

Diesel Fuel Questions

Hi All,



Thought this might be the place to ask a couple questions about diesel fuel. First off, what is the difference between dyed and undyed fuels? Second, does the quality change between what is at the pumps today and the fuel that gets delivered for agricultural use?



Thanks... ... !

 

[illflem]

In most areas the only difference between ag fuel and road fuel is just the dye. It used to be that ag fuel was allowed more sulfur, I'm not sure if this still holds true still or is practiced. My Cenex fuel driver tells me their Fieldmaster ag diesel is road fuel they dye right at their plant. Everything you want to know about diesel here http://www.chevron.com/prodserv/fuels/bulletin/diesel/

 

[badams1]

Diesel fuel lubricity

I seem to recall reading recently, maybe on the Marvel Mystery oil issue tread, that in europe that this diesel fuel lubrication issue has already been worked and that there is going to be a new standard for the USA soon. A lubrication requirement that is the law, but we still don't have it yet. You might want to take a look, it was a web site side bar. sorry!

 

[Greg Boardman-RIP]

Arco am/pm has been selling ECD/1 (emission control diesel) since May or june. It is the bussiest station in my town. I have been running it since then. I just ad Power Service and I hope to have no problems. One would think that they couldn't sell anything that would deliberatly hurt our fuel systems... ...

 

[mcoleman]

A recent Farm show I attended was showing the benefits of running bio-diesel. MFA is already selling it as a lubricant additive. It looks like good stuff all the way around. A friend of mine has been running it in his CTD with no issues and he is also the new World record holder for a bio-diesel powered vehicle. he ran a 3. 75 1/8 mile time at 215 mph in his jet rail on bio-diesel. The BTU content and cetane ratings are both higher. The stuff smells like plain old vegetable cooking oil though. But it will give extremely good lubrication to the pump.