I keep hearing that diesel will be reformulated to have less sulfer in '07. I know the VP is lubed by fuel and I thought the lube in diesel is sulfer. Does this mean that all injector pumps that rely on fuel for lubrication will start failing?

Before I go on a rant about how the powers that be didn't consider the affect this change would have on millions of diesel engines, I want to be sure it will do what I think it will to my truck. If I'm right, I'll just have to add lube to every tank, but a lot of people don't read the internet.

 

Its being lowered for emissions and there is a simple fix... Run a good fuel additive. You should be regardless, its cheap insurance for your fueling system and helps with mpgs a bit and keeping the system clean and efficient.

 

When they reduced the sulfur content back in 92-93 there was a very large rise in the failure of seals. Internal and external. Watch your oil level (for increases) and new drips while the engine is running (fuel will evaperate relativly quick). An additive the help the lube properties is also a good idea.

Randy

 

Sulphur is not a lubricant. It is the process of removeing the sulphur that also removes some of the fuel's lubricity.

 

Of course they considered it, wouldn't do much for repeat sales if the fuel caused engine breakdowns. By law the fuel must meet a certain lubricity level. When ULSD comes out next summer there has been much talk in the petro industry to make 1% biodiesel the standard lubricity additive from the refinery nationwide.



From http://www.chevron.com/products/prod...lletin/diesel/

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.


Will low sulfur diesel or low aromatics diesel cause fuel system leaks?
The introduction of low sulfur diesel for on-road use in the U.S. was accompanied by fuel system leaks in a very small percentage of vehicles. Investigations into the cause of these leaks suggest that the problem was linked to the change in the aromatics content of the fuel and to seal material and age.
Diesel fuel systems contain "O-rings" and other parts made of elastomeric materials. These elastomers swell slightly when they contact diesel fuel, because they absorb aromatic compounds from the fuel. Exposure to a fuel with a lower aromatics content will result in some of the absorbed aromatics being leached out, causing the elastomer to shrink towards its original size. If the elastomer is still pliable, this shrinkage will not cause a leak. However, if age or service at higher-than-normal temperatures has caused the elastomer to loose its elasticity, a leak could occur. Vehicle owners should be aware that elastomeric parts have finite lives and should be replaced as necessary.

By itself, low sulfur or low aromatics diesel fuel does not cause fuel system leaks. They are caused by the combination of a change from higher to lower aromatics fuel and aged O-rings and elastomeric parts that have lost their elasticity.

 

Diesel and petrol in Europe has been low sulphur for a long time, and i don't think my truck has known anything diffrent, since it was new. But I also think that the fuel quality is also better here to start with. I do use an additive just to be on the safe side.

 

We use the ULSD at my work place (gov't) and have since Sept 04. The fuel is clear in color, looks just like water. Not to long after we started using it the shop started having several of the older fleet (mostly later 90's early 2000) of diesel trucks developing fuel leaks, almost always at the lift pump. These were internal leaks, and only way to fix was replace the pumps. I do not know of any injector pump replacements, or heard the shop say due to the use of the new fuel. So far the fix to the proplem was to add diesel fuel additive to the storage tanks according to our fuel manager. He told me the brand used, and I can't remember, but do remember him saying 1 gallon additive per 1000 gallon fuel was used. Ever since the additive was introduced the rash of fuel leaks has all but disappered. The newer fleet did not seem to be affected with any leak problems according to the guys in the shop.

I would suggest to start using a additive especially if you have a older diesel unless they do mandate some sort of additive added to the fuel before it comes out nationwide summer of 2006.

Tony

 

what does the board recommend for a good fuel additive? i live in socal so not worried about gelling.

thanks,
david
socal

 

1% biodiesel is excellent if you can find it in your area.
Power Service does the job, is cheap and easy to find.