Diesel "Ultra Low Sulfur - 15 PPM Max" : Is This Bad For My Engine?

[Fred]

ULSD

ULSD came to be because of the '07 EPA emission requirements that require a particluate trap in the exhaust stream. The traps are self cleaning for diesels that run on the road vs diesels that run intercity service, which will have a more difficult time keeping the traps clean. ULSD has been around long enough, and used on older mechanical fuel pumps as well as electroniclly controlled diesels, to have proven its self.Red dye indicates diesel fuel that is exempt from road tax. It is permitted to be used in Marine applications and off road, and yes it is frowned upon if used in on road applications. On road, Marine, and Off road diesels in the 7 liter and higher are all now electronically controlled. Fuel used for power plants is a # 6 fuel oil, about .9 to 1% sulfur content.Jets use a more refined fuel, it is clear, has a lower flash point and lower viscosity. Some applications use jet fuel in diesels engines, (military), but jet fuel can lock up a mechanical diesel injection pump because it is thinner,(less viscosity). I recall Fed Ex trying to use jet fuel in diesels. I rebuilt the injection pump, a CAV like the one used on Perkins, replacing the pumping head that siezed.Electronic diesel injectors have a much closer tolerences than mechanical systems in order to generate much higher injection pressures. Algea has always been a problem with diesel fuel. It thrives in fuel with water in it. This is why it is very important to keep fuel tanks full. This removes air which condesates water when hot diesel is sent back to the tank as return fuel. The very best protection in keeping water out of your fuel system is to use a biocide, know your fuel source, and keep your tanks full. The best time to refuel is when you come back to the dock so that the air is replaced with fuel, again, so there is no air to condesate water as the tank cools.Diesel engine oils are contantly reformulated to work with lower sulfur fuels as well as other emission devices such as exhaust gas recirculation systems.With lower sulfur content in fuel ash content, used to absorb acid, in engine oil can be reduced. With truck diesels lasting up to 1,000,000 miles with no overhaul, and the electronic pick up truck engines lasting over 300,000 one would be hard pressed to show ULSD is harmful to the life of diesels.

 

[Ross]

This is a copy and paste from Exxon FAQ

http://www.exxon.com/USA-English/GFM/Products_Services/Fuels/Diesel_Fuels_FAQ.aspWhat is diesel fuel?Diesel fuel is principally a blend of petroleum-derived compounds called middle distillates (heavier than gasoline but lighter than lube oil) and may or may not contain additional additives. Other middle distillates include kerosene and No. 2 Heating Oil. Diesel fuel is designed to operate in a diesel engine where it is injected into the compressed, high-temperature air in the combustion chamber and ignites spontaneously. This differs from gasoline, which is ignited in a gasoline engine by the spark plugs.What specification requirements of diesel fuel should concern me and why?Sulfur content, Cetane number (ignition quality), cleanliness, lubricity, low-temperature operability and stability are the diesel fuel requirements of principal concern to you. With the introduction of the 2007 model year, diesel powered vehicles have to meet stringent emissions limits. The equipment used by vehicles to meet those standards depend upon a fuel with very low sulfur content, 15 parts per million (ppm) or less, referred to as Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel (ULSD). Use of LSD, with sulfur content that can be as high as 500 ppm, can, in a single tank full, permanently damage the emission control equipment of the new vehicles. We should note that ULSD is suitable for all diesel engines including those manufactured before 2007. All diesel dispensers have a decal on them indicated the type of diesel fuel being dispensed. Look for the ULSD decal for 2007 model vehicles and newer.The cetane number is a measure of the ease with which the fuel is ignited in your engine. It is most significant in relation to low-temperature startability, warm-up and smooth, even combustion. The cetane number of the fuel should meet your engine manufacturer's minimum recommendation for the type of service. A cetane number higher than required does not materially improve engine efficiency or operation. Most engine manufacturers recommend diesel fuels with a cetane number of at least 40. Diesel fuels sold by reputable marketers meet or exceed this requirement.Cleanliness refers to the absence of water and particulate contamination. This characteristic is important because dirt and water can plug fuel filters in your engine and cause severe damage to your fuel injection system because of the close tolerances within fuel pumps and injectors. All diesel engine manufacturers equip their engines with fuel filters to protect the fuel delivery system. You should replace these filters according to the manufacturer's recommendations. Some manufacturers also provide filters with drain valves and recommend periodic draining of any water that may accumulate from condensation and careless handling in storage or vehicle tanks. Lubricity is the characteristic that ensures protection against fuel pump and injector wear. Since 2005 the use of lubricity additives has become common and all Exxon diesel fuels intended for over the road use contain them.Low-temperature operability is the ability of the fuel to flow and to be pumped through diesel fuel system filters without plugging at low temperatures. Filter plugging due to the presence of wax crystals in the fuel can be estimated by measuring the cloud point temperature or other low temperature fluidity and filterability tests.Stability is the term used to describe a fuel's resistance to the formation of gums and insoluble oxidation products. Fuels with poor oxidation stability contain insoluble particles that can plug fuel filters. This may lead to decreased engine performance or engine stalling from fuel starvation. Is all diesel fuel sold at gas stations and truck stops in the U.s. now ULSD?No. At present the EPA requires only 80% of the highway diesel fuel manufactured in the U.S. to be ULSD. Consumers may still find some LSD at services stations and truck stops until December 1, 2010 when EPA regulations will require all highway diesel fuel to be ULSD. Does Exxon have ULSD available at all of its service stations?No. At most Exxon retail locations where diesel fuel is sold, the product will be ULSD. However, some Exxon locations will still be selling LSD, particularly over the next several months as we make the transition from LSD to ULSD. How will I know whether a pump is dispensing ULSD or the higher sulfur LSD fuel?Federal regulations require all diesel fuel pumps to have labels specifying the type of fuel dispensed (except in California where all diesel fuel must be ULSD). Look for this decal.  What vehicles require ULSD?Vehicles with diesel engines manufactured in the 2007 model year or later require the use of ULSD for proper operation. Using LSD or other improper fuel may reduce the efficiency and durability of engines, permanently damage advanced emissions control systems, reduce fuel economy and possibly prevent the vehicles from running at all. Additionally, manufacturer warranties are likely to be voided by improper fuel use. How can I determine if my vehicle requires ULSD?Instrument panel and fuel inlet/fill cap labeling is being mandated for 2007 and newer model year engines and vehicles that require ULSD fuel. Also, you can check yor owner's manual for vehicle fuel requirements. Can I use ULSD in diesel engines manufactured before the 2007 model year? Yes. ULSD is acceptable for use in all diesel engines. I have heard that removing the sulfur from diesel can cause problems in older engines. Is ULSD going to harm the engine in my pre-2007 diesel vehicle?Some of the sulfur compounds naturally occurring in diesel fuel provide some wear protection or lubricity. To compensate for the sulfur removal in ULSD Exxon branded diesel fuel is treated with additives to improve lubricity. Customers can be confident in choosing exxon because our branded ULSD fuel meets ASTM D 975 diesel fuel specifications, which provide standards for lubricity, cetane number and other performance characteristics. This is just a small part of the complete site. I didn't intend to occupy so much band width.

 

[Warren Milberg]

Cetane Ratings...

FWIW, the very common Yanmar 2GM20(f) and 3GM20(f) engines specify (see pg 20 of the engine manual) a minimum cetane rating of 45 for these engines. I've found that all of the ULSD fuel sold in my area to have a cetane rating of 40. I add a cetane booster to compensate for this as it seems to improve ignition and smooth running of the engine. It would be worth checking the engine specs of the manual for your engine to make sure you are feeding your engine the right cetane fuel.

 

[Ross]

My Volvo Manual simply recommends automotive diesel

so I buy it at the same pumps that the truckers use.

 

[Big Windy]

ULSD

Here is a cut and paste from another sailboat forum made by a diesel mechanic:"The companies manufacturing fuel additives must be doing a terrific job marketing their product. This has to be the case since so many people seem to want to add something extra to their fuel tank.The best thing to add to your fuel tank is simply good quality fuel … and nothing else. Yes, I did say no additives. There is nothing better than clean, high quality fuel in a clean tank.Most every fuel contamination problem is related to water in the tank. It is virtually impossible to keep it out but occasional maintenance on the tank will get rid of it. Maintenance of the fill cap o-ring will keep most water out. Running out of fuel (or pumping it out of the usual fuel line) does not get rid of the water on the bottom of the tank. An effort must be made to get the water out of the lowest point of the tank.I guess most of us like what’s easy, sort of like a Diet Coke with a Big Mac. It doesn’t work. There are many believers in additives. I’ve have heard people say, “I’ve been using Brand X for five years and have never had a problem”. Perhaps that was a water free tank that needed no additive. The fuel makers say that they put the right stuff in. The additive makers (all of them) say that you have to use their product. If your fuel has no problem, leave it alone. If it does have a problem, get it out of there and put in good fuel. Good fuel is the second most important thing in diesel maintenance, after the lube oil.I know that too much of the wrong additive can cause problems. There is word that some additives react with other additives. I personally would rather play safe and keep my tank clean."

 

[Joe Walworth]

Credit

WindyThe article you have included is from Gordon Torresen. He is the owner of Torresen Marine located in Muskegon, Michigan. My boat is stored there every winter.Just thought I would give him credit for the info.Joe

 

[jburnout]

'06 Chevy Turbo Diesel

I have a 2006 Chevy Truck with a turbo diesel-can I run #2 heating oil without causing any engine damage? Has anybody done this so far?

 

[seadaddler]

Yes

My brother in law in NY uses # 2 heating fuel for all his diesel equipment,he is a excavator and has big trucksand all kinds of heavy equipment.Nick

 

[Big Windy]

06 Chevy

I have the same engine...the LBZ...the manual specifically says not to use anything other than standard diesel fuel. I would not use heating oil, transmission fluid, two stroke oil, or anything else people put in these engines.Check here: http://www.dieselplace.com/forum

 

[Fred Ficarra7897]

Yeah but,

#2 heating oil IS diesel. We're beating this to death.

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

Almost right Fred

To some people, the term "diesel fuel" means anypetroleum distillate which boils between 300 and 700degrees Fahrenheit, and so includes another group ofproducts which are more properly called heating oils.In practice, some small petroleum refiners produce a single product which ismarketed as both No. 2 diesel oil and No. 2 heating oil.The specifications for the two products overlapsufficiently that a dual-purpose product is possible.Larger refiners, however, make separate products withseparate properties and with differing sulfur content and additives.The differences are predominabtly additives to diesel fuel which may or not effect the performance or longevity of a diesel engine in which either may be used.Consider the topic dead?