The government has mandated low sulfur diesel fuel beginning January 1, 2007. Can this new low sulfur diesel be used in an older diesel engine without causing problems? Thanks.
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Yes, search the archives
The fuel companies would be liable if it harmed your engine so unless you see big WARNING signs you can bet that they have done their research. The issue is high sulfur fuel is just the way it comes out of the ground. It costs more to produce a low sulfur version so they just didn't as it would drive the price up. Now it is mandated so they will just pass the buck to use and everybody breathes a little easier.
The fuel companies would be liable if it harmed your engine so unless you see big WARNING signs you can bet that they have done their research. The issue is high sulfur fuel is just the way it comes out of the ground. It costs more to produce a low sulfur version so they just didn't as it would drive the price up. Now it is mandated so they will just pass the buck to use and everybody breathes a little easier.
However
High sulfur diesel WILL hurt a low-sulfur diesel engine. The mandate comes from two changes to diesel engines: EGR and catalytic converters. The EGR can be a good thing either way, but the catalytic converter would have its coating destroyed by the acids formed by the sulfer- then it will not pass emissions, you need a new cat, which could turn into a $500 repair. Anyway, sulfer (and lead) have lubricating properties that low-sulfer fuels do not have, so cylinder wall wear is a "supposed" issue, but gas engines have been using sulfer-less fuel for a long time, and they don't really have cylinder wear problems. So, I feel the only issue is that catalytic converter, which wont be an issue if all the fuel is low sulfur.
High sulfur diesel WILL hurt a low-sulfur diesel engine. The mandate comes from two changes to diesel engines: EGR and catalytic converters. The EGR can be a good thing either way, but the catalytic converter would have its coating destroyed by the acids formed by the sulfer- then it will not pass emissions, you need a new cat, which could turn into a $500 repair. Anyway, sulfer (and lead) have lubricating properties that low-sulfer fuels do not have, so cylinder wall wear is a "supposed" issue, but gas engines have been using sulfer-less fuel for a long time, and they don't really have cylinder wear problems. So, I feel the only issue is that catalytic converter, which wont be an issue if all the fuel is low sulfur.
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