I don’t know if you’ve heard about diesel going to the “ultra low sulphur diesel” configuration. If the below articles are correct, you may want to start running additives to add the lubrication back into the fuel. A couple web sites with some interesting reading is:

http://www.mbm.net.au/b100/lsd.html

http://www.clean-diesel.org/vehicle_performance.html

 

This is Cummins' take on it:

"ULSD fuel is backwards compatible, and can be used in all engines."

http://list.priceweber.com/cummins/td/ulsd.html

 

If you run with a pre-2007 engine oil (such as CH-4) and ULSD fuel, you will have to modify your oil change schedule.

Modify the oil change schedule to what????

 

Trust no one.
Add Diesel Kleen at every fillup. At least for the first year of using ULSD.

I mean, good luck suing Chevron when they realise their numbers were off and they needed to up the lubricity and your engine is damaged.

Tony...Oil changes will become more frequent as your oil will be adversely effected by the more caustic fuel.

I predict we will begin to see the lifespan of our diesels drop off within the next 5 years as the effects of ULSD make themselves known.

 

Diesel Kleen? Where do you get that? What about the whole Shell Nautilus stuff I previously read about on tis site?(that I still have not found yet)

 

I've found Diesel Kleen at Wal Mart and at Truck Pro.

 

I dont think it will be a problem since the oil they recomend has been out since 02. Here's some more info
http://api-ec.api.org/about/index.cf...02003002000000

 

Here some info a friend received.

Customer (David Nitzel) - 08/07/2006 08:51 AM I purchased 5 gallons of Fuel Mate + approximately two years ago. Does this have the necessary additives for the new ultra low sulphur diesel fuels? Is it correct that the gel point on the new ultra low sulphur diesel fuel is 10 degrees F? I've also heard from a trucker friend that the power is less with this fuel.
Thanks,
Dave Nitzel


Response (Jed Hunsader) - 08/07/2006 10:29 AM For diesel engines you need to use Diesel Plus
http://www.conklin.com/catalog/prod_info.asp?prfID=761

ULSD does have some problems associated with it. The main issue is lubrication. Diesel Plus adds back the lubrication lost with ULSD to keep injectors and fuel pumps working properly. Another problem with ULSD is stability. Diesel Plus will extend the service life of ULSD by 3-4 times.

Gel point will vary by the exact fuel you buy. Typically it should be around 0 degrees. Diesel Plus will lower the gel point of ULSD by 35 degrees.

Some truckers have reported less power and lower mileage with ULSD. Diesel Plus should restore lost power and improve mileage. Some people who have used Diesel Plus with ULSD say they need to use the winter rate for more power and better mileage.

 

To me this whole ULSD debate is a waste of time just like when lead was removed from gasoline.
The refiners certainly aren't going to sell a fuel that causes breakdowns, it doesn't do good for repeat customers.
The majority of people touting the problems also appear to be the same ones who have additives to sell you.

 

Good point about the lead out of gas, that was a lubricant as well.
I forget how they dealt with that...interesting.

 

Thank, you BILL!! This ULSD thing is ridiculous.

I'd also like to correct the wrong statement that ULSD is more caustic or needs more frequent oil changes.

On the contrary, ULSD was LESS sulphur in it. That means LESS sulphuric acid in your crankcase when combined with moisture. That means slower TBN depletion.

If anything, I'd think you could go LONGER on an oil change with ULSD.


The problem with American fuel isn't the ULSD-- it's the crappy low cetane and purity.

HTY

 

Exactly...I can't stand when people bash the new fuel because they heard it was bad stuff. Any lubricity that is removed from a fuel HAS to be added back in somewhere, PERIOD!! The fuel companies can't afford to trash every older vehicle on the road today...then they would lose all their "customers!"

Chris

 

One of the "solutions" was to install hardened valve seats in new production vehicles. Those notwanting to buy a new vehicle were left with additives or an upgrade to hardened seats at rebuild time. I'm not betting on backwards compatibility, just lots and lots of additives.

 

Bought 3 gallons of Rottella last night at Walmart for my 37,500 oil change. It was CI-4.

 

WOW! That's a long time between oil changes!




This whole argument reminds me of the ethanol rumors years ago. Seems to be running fine in a lot of vehicles for the past 25 years