Oil & Fuel EPA Diesel Report

SimS · Sep 4, 2002

TBN'ers;

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.cnn.com/2002/HEALTH/09/04/diesel.exhaust.ap/index.html>http://www.cnn.com/2002/HEALTH/09/04/diesel.exhaust.ap/index.html</A>

I just ran across this article on CNN.com and I wanted to know if removing sulfer from diesel fuel would have any adverse effects on diesels engines not "designed" for no sulfer fuels?? And if they remove sulfer, will additives be able to replace sulfer's current properties in the fuel?

Thanx;

Sim

Carl_NH · Sep 4, 2002

Sim,

Europe has operated low sulfur diesel for a number of years with no adverse effect that I am aware of. Also here is a link to dieselnet for more info on Kubota and their emission with the E-TVCS setup (used in most all Kubota CUT's)

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.dieselnet.com/kubota/>http://www.dieselnet.com/kubota/</A>

Carl

jbs · Sep 5, 2002

I remember seeing some news reports about Californias "clean" diesel. Truckers hate it, claiming major engine repairs. They all top off their tanks before entering the state.

chim · Sep 5, 2002

I have no expertise in the fuel formulation area, but have read there is little or no difference between diesel and home heating oil. Seems to me that someone with oil heat and a compact tractor would be burning a lot more fuel in the furnace than the tractor.

1. Makes me wonder if there is any credible threat.

2. Howcome the CDC or AMA or someone medical didn't announce the health risks?

3. Are oil furnaces next?

Gotta run. It's lunch time and my broiled spotted owl is getting cold..............chim

MossRoad · Sep 5, 2002

Now I'm glad I have gas!

Wait a minute, that didn't sound right.....

MikePA · Sep 5, 2002

<font color=blue>It's lunch time and my broiled spotted owl is getting cold</font color=blue>
Spotted owl should always be deep fried in animal based cooking oil. /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

Kodiak · Sep 5, 2002

I always thought whale oil wuold be better.

chim · Sep 5, 2002

Thanks for the cooking suggestions guys. I may try some lard. Ever since I heard the term "sperm whale" whale oil kinda turned me off though.................chim

John_Mc · Sep 9, 2002

I believe the main thing you get with higher-sulfur diesel is higher lubricity (can't remember if this is from the sulfer itself, of if the process that removes sulfur also removes some of the other goodies that help to lubricate). Most modern diesels are designed to run on low-sulfur fuel. I'm not sure how "no-sulfur" fuel will affect them. If you are concerned, or have problems there are additives you can buy to help (for example, I believe some of the anti-gel additives also have lubricity additives in them).

Another alternative is to use Bio-diesel (diesel fuel made from vegetable oil - in fact, it can be made from the left-over fryer oil from MacDonald's), it has much better lubricity than regular diesel (low or high sulfur), and as an added bonus, emissions are MUCH lower. There is also a blend of Bio-diesel and regular diesel known as B-20 (for 20% bio-diesel). This also has very good lubricity and has been approved by some tractor manufacturers. B-20 blend is REQUIRED in some european countries (probably for it's lower pollution properties and the fact that it ruduces their dependance on foreign oil)

One caveat of running straight bio-diesel: It cleans your engine and fuel tank. If you've been running petroleum based diesel for a long time, it will free up all the gunk in the bottom of your fuel tank and clog your fuel filter. (A lot of people making the switch in diesel cars & trucks are putting in a cheap pre-filter in an easily accessible place for the first few tanks to avoid clogging the main filter).

John Mc