Sulfa Tabs - anybody try these?

[AndrewKing]

HI,

I was wondering if any of you have tried "Sulfa Tabs" by King Petrochem?... . I saw these bottles at a local truck store / repair facility... . They look like little

capsules filled with I guess sulphur... . Instructions call for 1 tablet for every 25

gallons of diesel fuel... Bottle of 180 tablets sells for $49. 95... . Seems interesting just wondering if anybody has tried these and what your results were.

Thanks

Andrew

 

[Signal73]

Will be interesting to see if anyone has some info on this. It was only a matter of time something like this would come out with the introduction of ULSD. Is it as simple as adding sulpher to get the fuel back to the standard it was pre ULSD?

 

[Woodenhead]

I'm sure someone will correct me shortly but I don't think it's the low sulphur that's an issue with LS and ULS fuels. My understanding is that it's the sulphur that contributes to the emmisons hence the reason for removing it. The problem is that the process used to remove the sulphur from the fuel reduces the lubricating properties or "lubricity" of the fuel. Not sure that adding sulphur would do anything other than bump your emmisions back up. My guess is it has some sort of lubricant in the tablet. Maybe I'm way out on this one, I'm sure I'll find out soon enough.



Happy Holidays,

Mike

 

[steved]

I'm sure someone will correct me shortly but I don't think it's the low sulphur that's an issue with LS and ULS fuels. My understanding is that it's the sulphur that contributes to the emmisons hence the reason for removing it. The problem is that the process used to remove the sulphur from the fuel reduces the lubricating properties or "lubricity" of the fuel. Not sure that adding sulphur would do anything other than bump your emmisions back up. My guess is it has some sort of lubricant in the tablet. Maybe I'm way out on this one, I'm sure I'll find out soon enough.



Happy Holidays,

Mike

No, you are correct... the process of removing the extra sulfur removes lubrication...



steved

 

[AndrewKing]

Hmmmm..... Thanks for the reply guys... . Not sure I was gonna plunk down $50 on that without asking... BUT it did sound reasonable huh?..... So just curious but I think I read somewhere that by not having the sulfer in the fuel that somehow my seals would harden and or shrink and that would cause possible leaks (I dont have any now and I certainly would prefer to hold off on geting them because of low sulfer content or is that al somehow tied back into he reduction of lubrication as a result of removing sulfer?

Thnaks again

Andrew

 

[mhenon]

It's a complex issue with ULSD. Bottom line. . adding sulphur pills will do nothing for your seals, lubricity, fuel mileage, etc. . Total waste of money. IMO

Mike

 

[steved]

The process of sulfur removal causes the loss of lubrication, but the sulfur itself is not a lubricant... adding sulfur will only cause you to increase emissions, it would do nothing (by itself) for lubrication...



And besides, if they really contained sulfur, EPA would not allow the sale of it... even fuel additives must meet the ULS requirements...



steved

 

[SMorneau]

Sulfer is a very common extreme pressure additive for metal working fluids. Severe deep drawing of metal requires such additives. I must believe it helped fuel pump longevity.

 

[RustyJC]

In a diesel fuel application, sulfur was not the lubricant. Rather, the more severe hydrocracking required to lower the sulfur content removed more aromatic constituents from the diesel fuel as well. It's the loss of these aromatic constituents that are the concern regarding lubricity, seal swelling, etc. Adding raw sulfur isn't the solution to this potential problem.



Rusty

 

[UP N MTNS]

And besides, if they really contained sulfur, EPA would not allow the sale of it... even fuel additives must meet the ULS requirements...



steved

Just a FYI:

I use Marvel Mystery Oil and as off late there is a sticker on the bottle that states

"This diesel fuel additive does not comply with federal low sulfur content requirements for use in model year 2007 and newer diesel motor vehicles"



Adam

 

[pwr2tow]

The trick is to use double the dose they recommend. I can go further on a tank and my leaks stopped due to the swelling. Oh wait, that was from taking my cealis. Never mind.

 

[SHobbs]

I read that by adding just 1% bio will increase the lubricity of the fuel by as much as 60%, so why coudn't you just add a gallon of Crisco. I know it is not refined but with such a small amount what could it hurt.

 

[steved]

Just a FYI:

I use Marvel Mystery Oil and as off late there is a sticker on the bottle that states

"This diesel fuel additive does not comply with federal low sulfur content requirements for use in model year 2007 and newer diesel motor vehicles"



Adam

Exactly, these stickers will only be on for a short while before they need to reformulate the stuff... it is no different than the use of the newer oils...



steved

 

[Signal73]

ahhhhh snake oil :-laf

 

[fortunate1]

Reminds me of the question I had for my doc about viagra: "You mean 4 hours isn't NORMAL?"

 

[SMorneau]

Admittedy I am a chemistry idiot. So do a search on "sulfer high pressure additive" and do some reading and then explain to me what I am missing when I assume the sulfer in diesel fuel would provide the same lubrication function it does in extreme pressure metal working.

 

[steved]

Admittedy I am a chemistry idiot. So do a search on "sulfer high pressure additive" and do some reading and then explain to me what I am missing when I assume the sulfer in diesel fuel would provide the same lubrication function it does in extreme pressure metal working.

I would believe the amount (more than 500PPM) sulphur would be needed to acheive any lubricating qualities...



And as stated before, if it doesn't have a disclaimer stating not approved for use in 2007 vehicles, then it doesn't contain sulphur. It is most likely a marketing gimmick since everyone is reading about the sulphur removal and how bad it is... "just add sulphur" is a good sales pitch to sell a product to an under informed consumer.



And I think EPA would be interested in a product that would go against their regulations...



steved