Running the ultra low sulfer fuel is fine , but there are a few things you should know about it . In the process of making the fuel , they actualy lose some of the lubricating agents in the fuel , so your motor isn't getting the lubrication it's used to getting from the #2 diesel. The solution is to simply add an additve such as stanadine or lucas oil product. This will improve the cetane rating ( octane rating for gas ) and replace the lubrication agents that were lost in the making of the fuel. The new low sulfer fuel was designed for the '07 and newer trucks , so if you want to run it , save your truck ,put a diesel additive in your tank. Its cheap insurance for your motor.
Thought you guys might find this interesting. Seems as though lubrication additives are not necessary with the new ultra low sulfer fuels after all. I was reading some posts on this very subject on one of the diesel org forums, and it seems that Cummins itself states no reason for 2006 and older trucks to need to use lubricating additives whatsoever.
So I took the initiative and E-mailed them myself with this question. Their response is as follows......
My Q:
Details:
With the new low sulfer diesel coming out, I have heard that I will have to
use fuel additives such as Stanadyne (sp??), in order to keep the same
lubricity.
Is this true?? Or can I run the low sulfer diesel in my new 2006 Cummins
diesel without any problems??
Thanks!
Sincerely,
Jeff
Their Answer:
Summary: New low sulfer Diesel fuel and my new 2006 Ram 2500 Cummins diesel.....
Solution:
Thanks for your Email message.
There are many rumors circulating about the effects of sulfur being in diesel
fuel or sulfur being taken out of diesel fuel. Diesel fuel without sulfur is
just as good, in all respects except one, when compared with today's fuels with
sulfur.
Diesel fuel, in the United States, must meet a lubricity standard. The
producers adjust the lubricity before they distribute the fuel. No further
additives are needed to ensure proper fuel system lubrication.
The only negative effect of taking sulfur out of fuel is that the fuel becomes
more expensive, somewhat negating the inherent cost advantage of running diesel
engines when compared to other fuels. As we are certain you know, sulfur
doesn't jump out of the fuel on command. It has to be removed using specialized
equipment and chemical processes that add to the expense of producing the fuel.
We have seen a very few instances where the reduced aromatic content of the fuel
has resulted in slight leaks from fuel systems. This is not expected to be an
issue with many engines.
Basically the change to new fuel should be pretty easy for folks with the
engines built prior to 2007 and for customers with the engines built in 2007 it
will be necessary, for the short time it takes fuel stations to consume the
remainder of the old fuel (maybe a month or two), to be certain they are not
fueling with the older fuel.
There is an effect on diesel engines from the use of low or no sulfur fuel which
we expect to be positive. The blowby gasses that normally pass through the
engine crankcase will contain less or none of the chemically reactive sulfur and
its compounds. This will tend to keep the engine oil cleaner during operation
and allow important engine components like bushings, bearings and piston rings
to live longer.
Diesel fuels containing sulfur or no sulfur each have the same specific heat,
about 20,000 BTUs per pound. For that reason they give the same amounts of work
for the same amount of fuel. That means the fuel economy per gallon will not be
affected.
Over the years we have seen fuel economy decrease, somewhat, as diesel engine
designs have been modified to meet the lower NOX limits imposed by government.
This has been totally unrelated to sulfur in the fuel.
With lower sulfur fuels it is possible that some exhaust after treatment devices
(catalytic converters) may be used to better effect, making it possible to
further decrease harmful exhaust emissions.
If you use diesel fuel that does not meet the new federal low sulfur
requirements that are going into effect for 2007, in a 2007 vehicle that
requires the new fuel, it will produce particulate matter that will cause rapid
plugging of the exhaust particulate trap. We don't anticipate producing engines
for such vehicles until 2007.
We thank you for your interest in Cummins products. Please let us know if you
need assistance in locating the nearest Cummins-authorized Dealer or Distributor
Service Provider. For assistance in locating a Service Provider, feel free to
use Cummins Service Locator, which can be found on Cummins website:
http://wsl.cummins.com/ServiceLocator/jsp/controller.jsp?action=showworldmapPlease let us know if you have other questions and if away from your computer or
have a time-critical request that needs more urgent attention, feel free to call
us toll-free (from North America) at 1-800-DIESELS (343-7357). Customers may
also call Cummins switchboard 1-812-377-5000 (worldwide toll call) and ask for
the 800-DIESELS Call Center for assistance.
Cummins Email (via webpage):
http://www.cummins.com/cmi/content.jsp?siteId=1&langId=1033&menuId=6&overviewId=33&menuIndex=7Customer Assistance Center
Cummins, Inc.
Columbus, Indiana, USA
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