ULSD - Its sooner than you think!

[fwebster]

The stickers have been on diesel pumps since about August of 2006. They warn against putting any fuel over 15PPM sulfur into a vehicle made after October ??, 2006, but do not specifically tell you the tank has ULSD diesel in it.

Well, it does because there is only one diesel supply system in the US....by now, the only LSD remaining is in the agricultural, industrial or marine markets. Its only there until it is used up. When it is gone, it'll be replenished with ULSD.

Even though the EPA has given the oil industry until some time in 2008 to convert marine fuel supplies to ULSD, it won't matter.....there is still only one supply line for fuel and it will be ULSD when ever the old fuel is used up.

 

[Four Suns]

OK Frank.... What's in this Diesel Kleen stuff? I'm not a believer of the "Slick 50" promotions but....

I am in the process of doing my big engine maintenance items (cooling system flush, oil change, valve lash, etc. etc.) this week and took my boat out for a spin. Before I begin, I drain the racors, drain the water/fuel seperator on the engines, and shine a light through the strainers. I take the boat out for a quick spin and the dang starboard engine will spin up but I have this white smoke coming out the exhaust and it quickly starts to overheat if the turbos kick in. It gets to 172 (and climbing) on the coolant and normally runs at 162 - 163. I back it off and the white smoke stops and the temp drops...

I start with the fuel system since I only had the tanks half full the last 4 months and thinking I have water in the tank. Change and drain racors (filters were clean and didn't see water), change fuel/water seperator on the engine (had a spare handy)... AND... add some DIESEL KLEEN I picked up at Walmart to the starboard tank... engine still smokes... same symptoms...

Start with the cooling system today and check the impeller and strainer and WA-LA! A plastic garbage bag is in the strainer... must have sucked that up. Broke down strainer and cleaned it real good and went back out. Engine runs great..

With one difference... Starboard engine only registers 72-74% load at 2100 RPM and is burning 22 GPH and the boat is cruising at 31.1 mph. The port engine is purning 25 GPH and showing 78-80% load at 2100 RPM. So I think this can't be right...

Go back to dock.. put DIESEL KLEEN in the port tank. Go out.. after about 5 minutes, the port engine drops to 22 - 23 GPH and 73-75% load at 2100 RPM... 31 mph.. I have in my log book that these engines consitently burn 24-25 GPH at 2100 RPMs.

What's in this stuff? I always made fun of those clowns on Saturday morning infomercials claiming better performance... and I hate the name "DIESEL KLEEN".. sounds KORNY.

 

[osd9]

Gary:

That sounds great. What concentrate of the DK did you mix? I added it to my tanks on Monday, but I have no record of previous burn to compare with. I mixed for a 6 Cetane boost. basically one 96 oz. jug in each tank. If it produces as advertised, and similar to your own experience, it sure sounds like its worth the $30 extra with each Full fill up.......adds about $0.05 to the per gallon price of fuel.

later,

 

[Four Suns]

I did the higher dose they had on the jug... don't remember exactly what it was on the cetene boost. I treated about 140 gallons in each tank (I have 2 x 250 gallon tanks). It was pretty much two jugs.

Now I can get back to the reguarly scheduled programming and get my engine maintenance done... did I mention I have a water pump leaking oil? Is there an additive to fix that?

 

[Skip]

I am running on last year's fuel, and will have to fuel up this week. I am adding diesel kleen as well. I have enough on baord to treat 600 gallons.
Undecided on cetane boost level, but generally am more concerned about countering the reduced lubricity of the ULSD fuel.
This is an important thread for those of use running older mechanical diesels. I'll post my thoughts once I have burned some diesel kleen.
Will be great fun to compare notes in Baltimore in July!

Skip

 

[Four Suns]

Anyone know where to get this Diesel Kleen stuff by the case? Not that I plan on sucking up a lot of fuel or anything....

 

[River Rat]

All of the Power Service products are a normal stock item at my local NAPA. I have used this product for years in all of our equipment. I get 6 cases at a time from them no problem.

 

[fwebster]

Napa is my source as well. They do not stock everything in the size put-up I use so I just order it by the case when they place a stock order and get it freight free at dealer's cost.

Go to the Power Service website to find the different put-up quantities.

 

[Dave M.]

I would assume that each engine manufacturer would put out a bulletin on this to let people know what to do? I can't find anything on the Cummins web sight but I am curious to know what their stand is on this.

Diesel fuel lubricity is specified in ASTM D975, which was reached by consensus among engine manufacturers and others. D975 is not a federal requirement, but is left up to the individual states. I suspect all now go by it except Alaska.

Warren Totten of Cummins is a developer of engine-based lubricant tests at Cummins, and represented Cummins on the IMA Fuels and Lubes committee. Doug Leno of TDR quotes Warren as saying "Cummins has discussed this issue and is comfortable with the release of new product with the current ASTM D975 specification for lubricity."

And regarding the fuel quality actually being delivered to the consumer, "We are not concerned. The fuel that is being produced now will meet out specifications. The refiners, pipelines, and terminal operators are doing their best to meet every aspect of D 975".

Regarding additives: "Over-treating fuel with a lubricity additive could be detrimental to fuel filtration. for example, if you double the amount of a chemical additive to obtain lubricity that would be equal to a 300 micron HFRR test, the fuel may become unstable and some of the material may even drop out of solution and plug fuel filters."

Vince Piacenti of Bosch is quoted as saying "We were definitely at the table and part of the ASTM consensus that drove, not only the lubricity spec of 520 microns wear scar diameter, but the HFRR test method itself which is used to validate actual fuel sample. The specification, and the test, is appropriate for the older VE, P7100 and VP44 pumps, as well as the new HPCR fuel system found in the '03-'07 Dodge Trucks."

"Bosch neither condones nor condemns the use of aftermarket fuel additives. The buyer needs to be aware of what exactly they are purchasing and to take responsibility for the actual (not advertised) effects."

We have had ULSD in Oregon for well over a year.