diesel fuel

ericbx1500 · Feb 10, 2006

I know this was brought up before but I need refreshing.

1. Is there a difference between off road diesel and on road diesel other then the red dye? Does off road have higher sulfur content, if so does this make a difference?
2. What is the shelf life of diesel fuel with and without adding a fuel additive (i.e. power service)?
3. With the war going on in Iraq is it true we are being sold a lower grade diesel fuel? If so does this mandate adding a fuel additive?

arthr31 · Feb 10, 2006

hi ericbx1500...
basically the difference between road and off road diesel is tax and dye. However, in some case it may contain more sulfur, this is not bad for the fuel pump and injectors, but will emit more exhaust which is bad for the general environment (i'm over simplifying here since I can't recall which exhaust gases...)

wrt shelf life, that depends. power service helps aid in anti-gelling and providing cetane boost. It doesn't provide anti-algae or water collection in the fuel. Powerservice is good, i use it every tank, and then i try and use every tank in at least 6-8 months ( i have one tractor which is just working its way thru one tank in 12 months, it's a 5 gal tank, it's ok). so, generally speaking, I think the the shelf life of diesel might be about 6 months or so. I'll be eager to see what others say here myself.

Your last point, #3, I'm not sure. I don't think so. why would a big oil company receive something substandard to then pass off to a US customer? I use diesel both off and on-road, I haven't noticed any difference in the past 12 months...
good luck, keep a full tank at the end of every day, if possible... -art

MadReferee · Feb 10, 2006

1. Usually no. It all depends on where you are located and what your supplier is selling. I am in NH and I can get 3 different and distinct types of what the suppliers call off-road fuel within 15 minutes of where I live. I buy the high cetane stuff.

2. I always use white bottle Power Service so I can't answer this.

3. Diesel fuel is refined here in the USA. I don't think the Iraq war has any effect on the quality of fuel since we import only a small percentage of raw crude from there.

ericbx1500 · Feb 11, 2006

What are the advantages and disadvantages of to much sulfur in fuel?

Soundguy · Feb 12, 2006

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( power service helps aid in anti-gelling and providing cetane boost. It doesn't provide anti-algae or water collection in the fuel. )</font>

You might want to actually pick up a few bottles of PS and read them. The DO offer quite a few different types. At least one of them prevents biologicals, and extends lubericity o fthe fuel, and handles water.... And a few handle 2 out o fthe three, in addition to other modifiers in other products for cetane.. etc. they have a website to read up on their products.

Soundguy

arthr31 · Feb 12, 2006

OK, I should be more specific, I'm only familiar with the Powerservice which comes in the white bottle, and it doesn't seem to have anti-algae stuff, but does handle water dispersion. Besides the white bottle, I've only seen 911-PS around where i live, but have happily not had to use that (knock on frozen wood)...

OK, and as soundguy has said, there is a website for powerservice (www.powerservice.com) and it explains all their products..