ULSD Fuel

[Matt0987]

Interesting forum.

This is my first time reading this one. As I understand it....

The Feds mandated cleaner air from diesels. (I have to guess cleaner air translates to less smoke from the pipe. Too many people whining about the black smoke they have seen throughout their lifetimes comming from "tractor trailer" engines. And the attitude of "If our cars have to be cleaner how come the big trucks don't have to clean up?")

Part of the solution has been to reduce the sulfur content of the fuel. The result has been LSD and ULSD.

I do not understand why some of the "lubricants" have been removed. Or, is the sulfur "the lubricant"?

I had a 1983 6.9L in a F-350. I sold it to a nephew after I put some money into it. You know how it works. The nephew hears you are getting a new truck. He wants his uncles truck. He offers to buy it. Uncle has a heart and says ok. Then Uncle has to dump money into it so Uncle doesn't look like a schmuck when the nephew is driving it down the road and it leaves the nephew stranded. (After all, there was a reason that Uncle was getting a new truck.)

Anyway, I started putting Stanadyne into the 6.9L when the Feds required LSD. Then I bought the 03 7.3L Ex. Which was designed for the LSD. And then the 6.0L F-350 when the nephew got the 6.9L as mentioned above. Now we have this ULSD. Which is really low sulfur.

I hadn't even thought that the new ULSD fuel would effect my newer vehicles. But, from what I am gathering from this thread, it may. Or, it may not. Some have claimed lower miledge as a result. Some have claimed no mpg difference. Some have claimed improved mpgs with the additives. Some have claimed quieter, smoother running engines. Others claim there is no change. Some have come up with their own additives. Like ATF. I am wondering if the AFT is actually, slowly, building a layer of sludge on the bottom of the fuel tanks. I believe one person suggested 30 weight oil. I have to wonder about how much of it actually disolves into the fuel and does the good he is looking for.

Of course there is always the person who wants everyone to move to Bio-diesel. Who knows what the source is for the products to make the local Bio-diesel. How well it is filtered. What it's properties are. Once it gets into the fuel tank it could turn to Crisco for all I know. Or, bacon grease. When I was a young man there was always a can of bacon grease on the stove. It is what was used before corn oil, non-saturated cooking oil, olive oil, and the rest of the modern, designer, oils designed for better living.

I think someone who puts bacon grease into anything more modern than a Model T has a lot more money than I have. But then, I do not go to the Indian Reservations, Atlantic City, or Vegas either.

So I have to guess that I am back to the Stanadyne until I read further on the subject.

I started reading this thread by searching for "fuel smell". I believe that I may be smelling a raw diesel smell from my Ex. Though I had just backed into a parking place and it may have been the fumes I was smelling. My 7.3L oil burner does "mark it's spot". Kind of like my dog when I take him for a walk. I have to guess that this marking is not any more uncommon for oil burners than for gasoline engines.

And as far as the Feds covering the costs of their....... Ha Ha Ha.

I have only been on this website for a month or so now. It is interesting. Lot's of helpful information.