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Tarheel · 07-11-2006, 08:56 PM

While traveling to Oregon I heard from a service station owner that there is a new blend of diesel fuel that is mandated for October 2006. I have been unable to find exactly what this mandate is or how it will affect us in our rigs. Just hoping that someone out there knows something about this and can reference a site that will put some light on the subject.Thanks, Rick

lewster · 07-11-2006, 09:07 PM

While traveling from FL to OR, I saw a number of labels on the diesel pumps that said that the low sulpher fuel was not to be placed in 2007 and later year diesel engines, but no one know about the new stuff. I haven't found anything on the net either?

Tarheel · 07-11-2006, 09:18 PM

The owner was trying to explain that the new fuel couldn't be used in the older vechicles without a fuel additive. I have been using the 500 ppm sulfer without any problems but he was explaining that an even lower sulfer fuel had been mandated.

Porky Pig · 07-11-2006, 11:29 PM

Here's a link to Chevron ... maybe this will help clear things up.

http://www.chevron.com/products/prod...sel/ulsd.shtml

ZoominC6 · 07-12-2006, 06:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Porky Pig

Here's a link to Chevron ... maybe this will help clear things up.

http://www.chevron.com/products/prod...sel/ulsd.shtml

Interesting. Thanks Porky.

Minnie's Mate · 07-12-2006, 07:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tarheel

...I have been unable to find exactly what this mandate is or how it will affect us in our rigs...

Sounds like it will mean less fuel economy, less efficiency, less power, more cost, more maintenance cost, and more PIA for us!

Oh yeah, does this mean that the CAFE for desiels will be relaxed to compensate for the reduced BTU's in the fuel?

I don't think so.

Pick · 07-12-2006, 08:19 AM

I think ULSD is only 1% less BTU's per gallon than the current #2 diesel. There are SUPPOSED to be enough additives in ULSD to make up for the lack of lubricity. However, I am now running some biodiesel in my truck and tractors. As little as 2% bio, will bring the lubricity up to where it belongs.

If you are running a Duramax, any Stanadyne diesel additive will bring the lubricity up, and is approved by GM. If you have a John Deere dealer nearby, their diesel fuel additive is repackaged Stanadyne Performance Additive.

ULSD is a good thing. Expect to see more diesel vehicles available in the U.S. after it's introduction.

silverback · 07-12-2006, 08:40 AM

ULSD will open the door for more manufacturers to build and sell 50 state vehicles with diesel engines. This is a good thing. The down side of course is that our all powerful fuel vendors get to charge us more. I have no illusions that it would ever get cheaper anyway. If you already run bio-diesel blends (B-5, B-20 etc...) you can run ULSD.
-Ken

dmreilly10000 · 07-12-2006, 09:25 AM

I have read that in Europe, car companies offer many high performance diesel engines in their cars. They can't import them here because they all use very low sulphur fuel and it generally is not available in this country.

Has anyone else heard this?

Cracker · 07-12-2006, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pick

I think ULSD is only 1% less BTU's per gallon than the current #2 diesel. There are SUPPOSED to be enough additives in ULSD to make up for the lack of lubricity. However, I am now running some biodiesel in my truck and tractors. As little as 2% bio, will bring the lubricity up to where it belongs.

If you are running a Duramax, any Stanadyne diesel additive will bring the lubricity up, and is approved by GM. If you have a John Deere dealer nearby, their diesel fuel additive is repackaged Stanadyne Performance Additive.

ULSD is a good thing. Expect to see more diesel vehicles available in the U.S. after it's introduction.

Pick:

The Chevron fact sheet seems to imply that the lubricity will not be affected by the reduced sulfur content - since the current lubricity standards were established some time back and the new fuel must comply therewith. What's your take on their Q & A sheet?

silverback · 07-12-2006, 09:31 AM

dmreilly1000,
That's exactly what I was referring to. And it's not just the Euro car makers Honda is planning on importing their 2.2 L (200 HP) diesel in an 08 Civic.
-Ken

Minnie's Mate · 07-12-2006, 10:10 AM

I may just be pessimistic, but I got a recall a few months back on my '05 PSD F-250 to have it re-programmed. I was told it might have less power when the engine was cold, but overall the MPG's would remain the same or maybe get better. I lost 2 MPG's on my daily 50 mile round trip commute! Now the BIG OIL COMPANY

tells us that the NEW AND IMPROVED diesel fuel

will be just as good as the old stuff and will be just as good for our engine.

I'm not sure what to believe.

Pick · 07-12-2006, 11:19 AM

Cracker, general consensus is that even the current LS lubricity may still not be good enough for some pumps and injectors, let alone the new ULSD.

I have been using some sort of lubricity additive for the last 2 years. Be it Shaeffers Soy Shield, Chevron Diesel Injector Cleaner, Stanadyne Lubricity additive, or currently biodiesel, since we now have commercial source here in Gainesville.

TIMEMACHINE · 07-12-2006, 02:24 PM

I am sure this is good news for new diesel vehicles, but here in California they are already killing us on diesel prices, usually as high as premium and many times even more. With these changes, who thinks diesel prices will start escalating faster than gas?

Minnie's Mate · 07-12-2006, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TIMEMACHINE

With these changes, who thinks diesel prices will start escalating faster than gas?

My hand is raised!

Sky · 08-31-2006, 03:19 PM

I was originally waiting until next year to buy a diesel TV. I wonder if it might be better to grab a 2006 now? From what I have read, to older models will burn the new fuel. Humm, but maybe not as efficiently? If all is equal, I would rather be greener and cleaner. What do you experts recommend doing? Will the 2007s perform as well as the 2006s when burning the low sulfur fuel?

Thanks for your comments

Druupy · 08-31-2006, 04:06 PM

ULSD will burn out your injector pump.
Unless you are driving a 2007 truck right now.
Dodge/Cummins are making the diesel 5.9 liter into a 6.7 liter so it can run ULSD and get the same power, while meeting the smog specs.

The lubricity standards were introduced because ULSD is ruining motors.

My dodge mechanic recomends:
Use an additive in your diesel, or 2% minimum bio.

Remember when "unleaded" gas killed a bunch of motors in the 70's?
Untill the new head/valve designs caught up to the "technology".

Same game, different decade.

SafeHarbor · 08-31-2006, 06:35 PM

Well, I'm one of those superstitious Cummins owners who already mixes up a POTION to give the truck at each fillup. As I'm pouring it in I chant "Happy injection pump!" three times.

When ULSD arrives, I may have to chant it four times, but I think the brew will remain the same.

Lamar

Towdaddy · 08-31-2006, 06:39 PM

One other point is that the 2007 Diesels will be required to have a particulate trap (my understanding is that this is equivalent to a catalytic converter on a gasser. That is, LSD will ruin the trap).

My Ford mechanic told me that the bad news is that these will require servicing at certain intervals. The good news is that the traps will be removable and can be cleaned or replaced (at least on Fords). I drive an 01 with the 7.3 and he drives an 05 with 6.0 PSD. His advice was either buy an 06 or wait to at least 08. This will be an additional cost.

Tarheel · 09-01-2006, 07:36 AM

Because of the particulate trap/ catalytic converter to be used on the 2007's I opted to go with the 2006. Cummins says that the pre 2007 engines will run on the new lower sulphur fuel. It was my feeling that I wanted the option of being able to use any fuel on the market not just the newer fuel. Will the tractor trailers be using the new fuel as well or is it just the automotive fuel that is affected? Sometimes I can physically only get into the truck pumps not the auto so that was a big concern.