Bad Diesel-less sulfor is causing problems

[Harry]

I have witnessed this problem on two of my customer's trucks first hand. I am not sure how widespread this problem is so I am not pushing the "panic" button yet. I am in the process of doing more research to determine the best course of action when this problem is encountered. For now I just want to raise awareness on this issue. Please post this on your websites so our friends can read about what "might be" happening to their fuel systems.

Since this problem comes from the fuel that you are purchasing on the road, there is no warranty coverage that will help them recover the cost of the damage to equipment as a result of this fuel contamination. This problem will also likely impact APU and Reefer engines. I would recommend purchasing fuel from only reputable fuel vendors and change all of their fuel filters more often. When the old fuel filters are removed, I would also recommend a careful inspection of them to determine if they have a problem with this microbial contamination and to what level.

I would recommend that all your readers keep extra fuel filters with them on the truck. They should learn how to change them and prime the engine themselves in the event that they become stranded on the road with clogged filters. The DAVCO fuel filter that I spec as standard equipment on all the SST units is great way to protect your fuel system and is very easy to replace the filter. It does however require a special wrench to remove the ring at the base of the fuel bowl. These special wrenches are available thru Detroit Diesel distributors and Freightliner dealers. For more information on the DAVCO Fuel Processor please see www.DavcoTec.com .

Thank you for your assistance in this matter,


please read the article posted on our home page

Harry

[Accremonious]

This isn't the only problems caused by desulfurized diesel fuels: (ignoring for a moment the overwhelming need for reducing sulfur emmissions)
-lower sulfur is lower calorific content hence you need to burn more litres per mile for the same total gross weight pulled. Maybe as much as 10% more.
-lower sulfur fuels are less self lubricating hence require additives for the working parts of the injectors, pumps, etc.
-waxes (paraffins) are a natural component of some crude oils, and are recovered in the refining process for many uses from floors, cars, food protection, etc. They are not totally removed in the fractional distillation of the crudes but very close to it.
-microbial degradation of higher sulfur fuels also occurs. Sulfur is in the same Elemental family as Oxygen and Selenium which are "oxidizers" that are necessary for biologicals to "burn" organics for food. There are anaerobic microbes that live totally without Oxygen but must have Sulfur to survive in environments like caves or deep ocean "thermal vents". They also survive with out any sunlight either!
-Diesel fuel is not a single hydrocarbon molecule like Octane the major constituent of gasoline. It is a blend of several molecules best described as Kerosene, Light Gas Oil, and Heavy Gas Oils. It does not include the Bunker C or residual Ashphalts. More simply it is Kerosene and Stove Oils. The blending varies from Season to Season for numerous reasons not just winter gelling. A Summer blend of 75% Stove and 25% Kerosene is an example. But this is too lean for heavy haulers pulling six axle skate boards of steel, dry boxes with rolls of paper on end riding 4 or 5 leggers, and tridem banana wagons, etc. They find it better to use say 50/50% for better miles/liter, but pay 1/4 to maybe as much as 1/2 cent per liter more.
-if you get a tankful that seems to pull "dead" even lightly loaded it may be 80/20%. Sample it and have it tested by a reliable lab. You maybe surprised! If you get a tankful that pulls like a house on fire, chances are it is a higher % or pure Kerosene!
(Complements of an original Husky Refinery Brat with some organic chemistry training and an exceptional memory)