Ultra-Low sulphur

[mikel]

Well, it seems that the writing on the wall is that before our trucks are worn out we will be faced with running a new ultra-low sulphur diesel. If memory serves me, we are now running diesel with 500ppm sulphur. I believe that is going to be reduced to 15ppm. As I understand it the process of removing the sulphur also lowers the lubricity of the fuel. Anybody have any knowledge as to the way this new fuel will effect the vp44 seeing as how it uses the fuel for lubrication?

Thanks,
Mike

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'99 QC 2500 SLT Driftwood 2wd SB 24v Auto 3. 55 LSD
ISSPRO pyrometer, 20,000 miles 12-19-00

-- email address removed --

Howdy Agg's!

 

[Mike Vonada]

Mike not sure the ppm of the sulphur we run in California but it is lower then other states. Anyway I travel out of state and I can't tell any difference between the two as far as performance. As far as the fuel pump and lubrication I am sure they will have to come up with something.

 

[Muleskinner]

This is an interesting question. When Ford first came out with the I/H 6. 9 in the early 80's, Ford cautioned against using Mexican diesel fuel while traveling in Mexico, as the diesel fuel in Mexico had a "High sulfer content".

Ford stated the sulfer was a "High abrasive componet" and would quickly wear out the injector pump pistons on their engines.

Now I see everyone stating that sulfer is a lubricant for our injection pumps. I belive a bit of research needs to be done on this subject. If sulfer was an abrasive as Ford claimed in the 80's, then I'm all for removing 100% of it in our fuel. (Except for the high fuel cost that will come along with the removal)

 

[mikel]

I don't believe that the sulphur itself is the lubricant, but that the process that removes the sulphur also reduces the fuel's lubricity. Maybe somebody who knows more than me can set us straight on this.

 

[1tuffram]

Originally posted by mikel:
I don't believe that the sulphur itself is the lubricant, but that the process that removes the sulphur also reduces the fuel's lubricity. Maybe somebody who knows more than me can set us straight on this.

I second that. The sulphur is something we could probably do without, but the process of removing it reduces the lubricity of the diesel somehow.

The only answer could be to use a fuel additive or maybe this will force fuel system manufactures to redesign the injection pumps and injectors.


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'95 2500 SLT 5 speed 4x4

 

[Grady]

Here is a link to a recent lengthy discussion about lubricity.
https://www.turbodieselregister.com/ubb//Forum5/HTML/000566.html


Here is a link to a nice article provided by the R&D Dept. of R. E. Bosch, regarding sulphur and Diesel fuel.
http://www.bosch. de/bri/bri_e/1_00/a3.htm

 

[Mr. B]

In Europe, "Shell" is using the 15ppm sulfer in its mix. They say that it will slightly reduce the life of the pump, but that is all they will say. The fuel is $. 05 more than now and performance is the same.