6 liter and ULSD - interesting observation - Diesel Forum

guardrail22 · 01-25-2007, 09:16 AM

My truck is one of the oldest 6.0's out there (engine dated 11/12/12002, truck dated 11/20/2002) and its had mover software versions than Bill Gates has marketed for Windows.

I just made a round trip to Roanoke that I make quite often and calcualtions indicate better mileage on ULSD - close to 20mpg running 70mph. True its winter - cold air for the engine, no AC to add engine load bit even so this is better.

Whats anyone else seeing?

Zj0187 · 01-25-2007, 09:31 AM

When I switched I noticed a decrease in mileage, and ulsd smells!

bedwards · 01-25-2007, 09:42 AM

I haven't noticed any mileage difference and truthfully my truck seems to be running better than ever! Taking in to account the winter temps and fuel. Of course, we've probably been using it for quite a while and just didn't know it.

be

moldman7n · 01-25-2007, 10:00 AM

My mileage dropped a good 2-3 mpg, especially highway mpg. Not positive it's the fuel. The truck still runs and sounds great. Used to get 20-21 highway empty babying it. I'm lucky to get 16 now. All around mpg not as bad a drop. Went from 16 to 14.

searcyfarms · 01-25-2007, 12:01 PM

I have noticed my truck losing mileage as it gets age on it. Reflashes are partially to blame for lower mileage.

Unless you fill your tank all the way to the top of the filler spout and stand there for 10 minutes clickin off/on while the foam settles, you will never get an accurate reading. My dad has that mpg gauge in his truck and its not very accurate. My truck is an XLT and doesnt.

I used to get 20 to 21 but now around 16 if I am lucky.

Winter is a bad time to test mileage as every station carries a different type of winter fuel. Some are 80/20, some 85/15, some are 70/30 and up in SD where I go often its 65/35 and 55/45 so your mileage is going to vary greatly. Most pumps dont say, you have to ask the cashier, sometimes they know sometimes they dont.

I traveled up there last week and I got 80/20 at one station, 65/35 at another and the other I had to mix my own.

anyway, the more number 1 the less the mileage for sure!!!

Texrob1 · 01-25-2007, 12:11 PM

I lost about 2Mpg & I agree with zj0187 that ULSD stinks! You can hardly be near the thing when it is idling now.

AllOutFirefighter13 · 01-25-2007, 12:34 PM

<font color="blue"> Ironically, my mileage has gone from 15-15.5 to 13.5-14.5. I didn't watch the dates, but I would say that this was about the time the ULSD stickers were posted at the pumps. Also around that time, my exhaust seems to smell like the engine is burning "rich"...is that what those of yall that say ULSD stinks are smelling too? </font>

mudguppy · 01-25-2007, 12:40 PM

i agree. my in-town mileage has gone from high 15s to very low 15. can't hardly get but 16 on the highway now. maybe my mileage drop is from winter fuel? [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shrug.gif[/img]

yes, i do believe it is a more "rich" smelling odor, now. i've never had winter fuel before, so i didn't know if that had anything to do w/ mileage or odor, or if it's the ULSD.

Zj0187 · 01-25-2007, 12:40 PM

I lost about 2-3 mpg when I switched. I noticed that cold starts on ulsd are also rough. It's kinda funny they changed the fuel for better emissions, but they will end up killing are brain cells with the smell. Who did the benifit to risk assesment on that?

teamroper60 · 01-25-2007, 01:02 PM

[ QUOTE ]

My truck is one of the oldest 6.0's out there (engine dated 11/12/12002, truck dated 11/20/2002) and its had mover software versions than Bill Gates has marketed for Windows.

I just made a round trip to Roanoke that I make quite often and calcualtions indicate better mileage on ULSD - close to 20mpg running 70mph. True its winter - cold air for the engine, no AC to add engine load bit even so this is better.

Whats anyone else seeing?

[/ QUOTE ]

My mileage has also increased. I started using the new Ford additives at the same time and have speculated those additives are what is making the difference, but I have no hard data to back it up.....

Texrob1 · 01-25-2007, 01:05 PM

Zj0187 That's the great thing about being the government(EPA) I am sure there was no risk assesment done on ULSD.whos, gonna sue em if your nose falls off from the smell?

OMCUSNR · 01-25-2007, 02:58 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Zj0187 That's the great thing about being the government(EPA) I am sure there was no risk assesment done on ULSD.whos, gonna sue em if your nose falls off from the smell?

[/ QUOTE ]

ACLU

Texrob1 · 01-25-2007, 03:02 PM

Yeah I forgot about the American Communist lawyers union.

FamilyRide · 01-25-2007, 03:32 PM

I can't say I've noticed any change since ULSD hit the streets 3 months or so ago. Same MPG too. Even cold starts are fine and while it does smell a little different, not that much. Could be the fuel we get in the area.

I started using Stanadyne on this current tank and that made a difference. Primarily, cold and very cold starts are even smoother and cold running performance is much better. Once warmed up, it may be slightly more responsive, but nothing big. I'm running stock right now and MPG seems to be inching upward.

frontiercat · 01-29-2007, 06:26 PM

Getting a little worse mileage on the ULSD, but the 7.3 engine idles a little quieter. Seems odd. I do bounce back and forth from LSD to ULSD, so who knows how much of what is in my tank. Went to a class put on by my diesel supplier. They told us that the ULSD has about a 4% loss in BTUs.