Rajan Wilcox
The use of low-sulfur diesel fuel in older diesel engines is a topic of discussion among vehicle owners and mechanics. While some individuals express concerns about potential fuel system damage and reduced engine performance, others claim that these issues are exaggerated. The transition to low-sulfur diesel fuel began in 2007, aiming to reduce sulfur content in diesel fuel to no more than 15 ppm. This change was made to prevent interference with new exhaust emissions devices in 2007 and later model truck engines and to reduce the formation of air pollutants during combustion. Although the EPA and the Engine Manufacturers Association do not anticipate significant issues with using low-sulfur diesel in older engines, operators may need to replace gaskets and seals as old gaskets can shrink and leak when exposed to low-sulfur fuels. Additionally, the reduction in sulfur content results in lower lubricity, which can be mitigated by adding lubricity agents to the fuel. Overall, while older diesel pickups can run on low-sulfur fuel, there may be minor adjustments needed in maintenance routines and fuel choices.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Compatibility with older diesel pickups | Ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD) is backwards compatible with older trucks and equipment. |
| Impact on engine power | There should be no noticeable impact on the overall power of the vehicle. |
| Fuel economy | ULSD may lead to reduced fuel economy by about 1%. |
| Cold starts | ULSD can improve cold starts. |
| Engine noise | ULSD can result in quieter engines. |
| Exhaust emissions | ULSD enables the use of cleaner technology and advanced emissions control devices, leading to improved air quality. |
| Engine maintenance | ULSD may require some minor changes to maintenance routines and attention to fuel type. |
| Fuel tank deposits | ULSD may loosen deposits in fuel tanks and storage. |
| Engine lubrication | Sulfur provides lubricating compounds that protect engines and fuel injectors from corrosion and wear. ULSD requires the addition of lubricity agents to counteract the loss of lubricity. |
| Fuel pump damage | There are mixed opinions on whether ULSD causes fuel pump damage, with some sources indicating that it can lead to external leaks on injector pumps. |
| Gasket and seal replacement | Operators of old diesel engines may need to replace gaskets and seals as they can shrink and leak when running on ULSD. |
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What You'll Learn
Low sulfur diesel engines may have problems with their fuel
In 2006, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) mandated a switch from low sulfur diesel to ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD), reducing the sulfur content in diesel fuel from 500 parts per million to 15 parts per million. While this change was beneficial for the environment, it also led to some issues with diesel engines.
One of the main problems with ULSD is its impact on diesel particulate filters (DPFs). DPFs are designed to trap soot, and once the filter is full, the soot is burned into ash. However, using low sulfur diesel instead of ULSD can cause sulfur fouling of the DPF, rendering it unusable. This is because the sulfur in the fuel cannot be burned off and remains in the DPF.
Another issue with ULSD is its impact on fuel lubricity. Sulfur in diesel fuel naturally acts as a lubricant, protecting engine components from corrosion and wear. With the reduction in sulfur content, ULSD has lower lubricity, which can lead to increased engine wear and corrosion. To mitigate this issue, refiners have added lubricity agents to the fuel at the refinery level.
Additionally, ULSD has been found to be more susceptible to microbial contamination. The high sulfur content in traditional diesel fuel inhibited microbial growth, but with the reduction in sulfur, ULSD is more vulnerable to the growth of harmful organisms such as fungi, mold, and bacteria. This can lead to clogged fuel filters and decreased engine efficiency.
Furthermore, there have been reports of accelerated tank corrosion in diesel storage tanks and fuel dispensing pumps due to the use of ULSD. This corrosion is believed to be caused by the switch-loading process, where remnants of ethanol fuel are left in the diesel tank, creating an ideal environment for bacteria to flourish and produce corrosive byproducts.
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ULSD is backwards compatible with older trucks
Ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD) is defined as diesel fuel with a sulfur content of no more than 15 ppm, down from 3000 ppm in the past. ULSD is being phased in for all on-highway trucks and construction equipment, and older diesel engines can run on it without issues.
ULSD is necessary for the use of newer emission control technology. Diesel engines with 2007 and later model year engines can fail if run on high sulfur diesel fuel due to sulfur fouling of the diesel particulate filters (DPFs). DPFs are particulate traps that trap soot, and once the differential pressure sensor detects the filter is "full", the computer initiates a regen to burn the soot into ash. This ash can be removed by DPF cleaning services.
There is a potential loss of lubricity with ULSD due to the removal of sulfur, which acted as a lubricating compound. To counteract this, refiners are supposed to add lubricity agents to the fuel. However, some users have reported issues with fuel system damage and leaks with ULSD, and recommend running additives in all diesel engines, both old and new.
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Low sulfur diesel may cause damage to fuel systems
Low-sulfur diesel (LSD) and ultra-low-sulfur diesel (ULSD) may cause damage to fuel systems, particularly in older diesel engines.
Firstly, ULSD has a high solvency rate, which can soften and loosen hardened contaminants from the sides and bottom of the storage tank, adding them to the fuel mixture. This can lead to starting problems and even cause serious damage to emergency power equipment. ULSD also has a much more stringent refining process, which includes catalytic cracking and hydrodesulfurization, making the fuel significantly more unstable. This means that ULSD requires closer monitoring of fuel and fuel tank conditions. The potential for ULSD to generate varnishes and gums increases over time, usually about six months before it begins producing solids and particulates that attract other contaminants like rust and dirt. These contaminants can clog fuel filters and lead to a complete engine shutdown.
Secondly, sulfur in diesel fuel combines with other elements to form lubricating compounds that protect engine components from corrosion and wear. With ULSD, this protective effect is lost, and refiners must add lubricity agents to the fuel to counteract this. However, if these agents are not added, or not added effectively, ULSD can cause corrosive wear, especially in the low-temperature areas of the pistons and cylinder liners. Sulfur also leads to the formation of sulfuric acid (H2SO4), which, when deposited in liquid form, corrodes metallic materials in contact with it. This can cause damage in the form of fouling, pitting, and loss of material in the valves and combustion chambers of engines.
Thirdly, using LSD instead of ULSD in engines with diesel particulate filters (DPFs) will cause sulfur fouling of the DPF, which cannot be burned off and will render the DPF useless. While DPFs can eventually reach their end of life due to ash content when using ULSD, this ash can be removed by DPF cleaning services, making the DPF almost new again.
Finally, while ULSD is backwards compatible with older trucks and equipment, the frequent use of high-sulfur fuels in 2007 and later on-highway truck engines will compromise exhaust after-treatment devices, leading to expensive repairs and possible engine problems.
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Sulfur combines with oxygen in the combustion process to form air pollution
It is understood that diesel engines manufactured after 2007 require low-sulfur diesel fuel. This is because sulfur interferes with the operation of the new exhaust emissions devices in these newer engines. The use of high-sulfur fuel in these newer engines will compromise exhaust after-treatment devices, leading to expensive repairs and possible engine problems.
However, ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD) is backwards compatible with older trucks and engines. Older diesel engines could run on almost anything, and ULSD will not cause any problems for older trucks and equipment.
Sulfur combines with oxygen in the combustion process to form sulfur dioxide (SO2), a highly reactive gas and a component of air pollution. SO2 is emitted into the air as a result of fossil fuel combustion and other industrial processes. When SO2 combines with water and air, it forms sulfuric acid, which is the main component of acid rain. Acid rain can irritate the eyes and the respiratory tract and increase the risk of tract infections. It can also aggravate conditions such as asthma and chronic bronchitis.
SO2 and other sulfur oxides can react with other compounds in the atmosphere to form fine particles that reduce visibility (haze) and can damage materials such as stone and other culturally important objects such as statues and monuments. These particles contribute to particulate matter (PM) pollution and may penetrate deeply into the lungs, causing health problems.
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ULSD may cause a reduction in fuel economy
Ultra-low-sulfur diesel (ULSD) is a type of diesel fuel with a maximum of 15 parts per million (ppm) of sulfur. Since 2006, almost all petroleum-based diesel fuel available in Europe and North America has been ULSD.
ULSD is compatible with older diesel engines, and there should be no noticeable impact on the overall power of the vehicle. However, the process of removing sulfur from diesel fuel also reduces its energy density, which may result in a minor decrease in fuel economy of about 1%. This reduction in energy content is due to the removal of naturally occurring lubricity agents in diesel fuel. Lubricity is a measure of the fuel's ability to lubricate and protect the engine's fuel injection system from wear.
To address the loss of lubricity in ULSD, refiners are supposed to add lubricity agents to the fuel. Additionally, fuel additives can be used to improve the lubricity and fuel economy of ULSD. These additives require the user to regularly dose their fuel supply, but they can be effective in restoring what was lost during the fuel refining process.
While ULSD may cause a slight reduction in fuel economy, it offers significant environmental benefits. ULSD enables the use of cleaner technology and advanced emissions control devices, resulting in improved air quality and reduced harmful emissions from diesel combustion. The use of ULSD with emissions control devices can reduce exhaust output to near-zero levels.
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Frequently asked questions
Ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD) is backwards compatible with older trucks and equipment. However, operators of old diesel engines may want to replace gaskets and seals as very old gaskets can shrink and leak when running on low sulfur fuels.
Low sulfur diesel is defined as diesel fuel with no more than 500 ppm sulfur, while ULSD has a maximum of 15 ppm sulfur.
Frequent use of high sulfur fuels in 2007 and later on-highway truck engines will compromise exhaust after-treatment devices such as diesel particulate filters and diesel oxidation catalysts, leading to expensive repairs and possible engine problems.
ULSD enables the use of cleaner technology diesel engines and vehicles with advanced emissions control devices, resulting in significantly improved air quality.
ULSD may cause a slight reduction in fuel economy due to its lower energy content. Additionally, the removal of sulfur results in the loss of lubricity, which can lead to issues with fuel injectors and engine corrosion. However, refiners are supposed to add lubricity agents to counteract this.
