I was talking to my dealer last weekend, he told me to start using a treatment in the fuel. He said that sulfhur was not being used in diesel any more. That would allow algee to grow in the fuel. I was wondering if anyone else has heard if sulphur was not being used in diesel any more?
Sulfur is still being used in diesel, just extremely lower amounts than about 4 years ago. In the Fall of 2006, ULSD, or "Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel" was introduced into the U.S. diesel market to replace and slowly phase out the older, dirtier, and IMO better, LSD, or "Low Sulfur Diesel". The biggest difference between the two is the sulfur content. LSD had a sulfur content of 500 ppm, and ULSD has a sulfur content of 15 ppm. A big difference as you can see, but other than making a cleaner burner fuel, what does it do to your fuel injection system? Well, 1. The single biggest problem in lowering the sulfur in diesel was the effect that it had on fuel systems designed to run on LSD, or higher sulfured fuel. Lower the sulfur content in diesel, and you've basically done the same thing as they did in the 70's when they took the lead out of gasoline. Sulfur is a natural lubricant in diesel fuel, a protective barrier if you will. Immediately people driving older diesels notice problems, such as suddenly leaking fuel pumps, fuel lines cracking, seals breaking, lift pumps and fuel pumps dieing, and injectors needing to be repaired or replaced, all because of the "ultra low" sulfur content.
2. The second biggest problem with lowering the sulfur content was the that it caused the "clouding point", (this is the degree in temperature at which diesel fuel starts to solidify, or become waxy), to rise. Another common term for it is "gelling". When it got cold in the winter of 06', people who had never had any issues with diesel fuel "gelling", started having problems. The fuel thickens, or solidify's entirely, plugging fuel lines, but most particularly your fuel filter. When it does this, the engine won't be starting anytime soon, not until you are able to get it to change back to a liquid.
3. As you mentioned, another side affect of the sulfur being lowered in diesel, is that it allow for algae and bacteria to grow in fuel tanks much easier. Though I haven't experienced it, and hope I never do.
The biggest thing you can do to cure these issues is to run an additive, such as Power Service, it's a very popular in the diesel world. They have to main variations, a silver bottle, which has lubricity additives and a 6 point cetane (cetane is the rating of diesel fuel, it's like octane is for gasoline) boost, (this one is mainly to run in the summer or warm months), and a white bottle, which also has lubricity additives, a 4 point cetane boost, and the most important thing, an anti-gel additive which claims will prevent plugging down to -40, and this is the bottle you run in the winter. Both of these additives will do a good job or preventing algae as well, and it isn't that big of an issue with vehicles that get a driven regularly. Now, if you have a stationary fuel tank, or a vehicle that sits a lot, than you'll want to look into a "biocide" additive to cure this issue as well.
Personally, I have run both Power Service products, and don't haven't had problems with any of my diesel vehicles or equipment. Run the silver bottle in the summer, and the white in the winter and you'll be good to go.
