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ULSD (ultra-low-sulfer-diesel fuel) is thoroughly in the fuel pipeline across the nation. Early on there were complaints from some that the formulation caused fuel system leaks in some rigs, as lower levels of aromatics was blamed for shrinking some engine seals.
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ULSD (ultra-low-sulfer-diesel fuel) is thoroughly in the fuel pipeline across the nation. Early on there were complaints from some that the formulation caused fuel system leaks in some rigs, as lower levels of aromatics was blamed for shrinking some engine seals.Another issue that you might run up against is raised by a chemist with Power Service Products, a fuel additive manufacturer. The chemist, David Forester, is quoted in the September 2007 issue of Light & Medium Truck magazine, speaking out on concerns about ULSD's water-carrying ability. Apparently the "old" higher sulfur containing diesel had a greater affinity for carrying water, while the new ULSD, does not.
"When fuels reduce their ability to carry water, they tend to shed it more quickly. [Water] builds up on the bottom more quickly. The separation of water leads to a variety of increased issues," says Forester. What kind of issues? During warm months, diesel fuel contaminated with microbes can serve as a great growth medium. Sulfur tends to act as a poison to microbes, but with less sulfur in diesel, the microbes can thrive.
As colder weather marches in, the inability of ULSD fuel to carry water may rear its head in iced up fuel filters. Forester adds, "Once they get below 30 degrees Fahrenheit, the solubility of water in fuel is almost nonexistent. So if there is any water present in the fuel at those temperatures, it will freeze. You'll see ice crystals build up on filters."
What to do? A couple of schools of thought exist: Both suggest the use of fuel additives; some say they won't allow water to remain in the fuel--and say the water is then pulled out of the system by the engine's fuel/water separator. The other school says their products encapsulate the water and let it run harmlessly through the engine. We've not seen solid evidence yet pointing to either one being superior. Some diesel additives also claim to be antimicrobial. Happy shopping!
