Super Low Sulphur Diesel and Cat engines???

[Scott]

With all the speculation about the ULSF and the fact that we are
going to have to run it, I spoke to a CAT engineer at the FMCA rally.
Most of the guys from CAT were sales guys but I went back 4 times
looking for the engineer to discuss this very issue.

Basically, this is what he had to say. Lubricity is very much a
concern but there will be additives that will be blended into the
fuel and additives that can be added to the fuel. His take was the
most important issue was the crankcase oil. A new oil will hit the
market that should be used. If that oil is used along with some
lubricity then things should be ok. A guy that has an injector
rebuild shop said he uses ATF, upon filter changes he fills the fuel
filter with ATF and it will not hurt a thing. Actually good for the
seals and lubricity of the injector pump)

This is where it gets interesting. The CAT guy said that in todays
fuel there is a higher level of sulpher produced as a by product in
the engine. Some of the sulfer is exhausted through the exhaust and
some is washed into the crank case oil. Todays oil had some additive
to neutralize the sulpher (because if you add moisture you get
sulphuric acid..not too good in the engine) The NEW OIL, will not
have as much additive to remove the sulpher because there will not be
as much sulpher. He said the oil is probably the biggest issue to be
concerned with. Naturally this begs the question of "If I am using
Rotella today and it neutralizes the sulfer then why can't I continue
to use what I am happy with...he said you can (uh wait you just
explained...oh never mind.. engineers sheeesh) But todays oils will
eventually be phased out.

He also said that CAT has logged the most trial miles (over 7 million
on test vehicles) and they are probably the most prepared. Detroit
was next but way behind.

My personal take on it is that I am going to continue to use Rotella.
Use ATF in the fuel. As I do now. I have a tendency to believe
the "guys with dirt under thier finger nails" for 20+ years...they
see it from where the rubber meets the road and NOT what specs, tech
documents etc say. There are ALOT of 3208's in heavy equip, boats,
RV's and such to simply turn their back on those "existing customers"
I would not want a 2 stroke though that can be confusing.

Great topic for debate though.

Scott B
86FC35
SC


--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "birdshill123"
wrote:
>
> It is amazing how a thread can change. Now we have conspiracy
theories
> as to why they changed the fuel ??? Bruce Morris: Where did you
read
> that ULSD was being used for the last 6 years in some fleets.?It is
my
> understanding that until 2006 there were no refineries capable of
> producing this fuel. Unless they brought it from Europe. Please
correct
> me if I am wrong. As for the posts about biodiesel: If you were to
> really invetsigate how much energy is expended to gather the oil
and
> truck it to a refinery and then have to truck it to the stations
one
> would soon see that it is a waste of energy. It cannot enter the
> pipelines. Same thing applies to Corn Fuel in the Midwest. One big
> hoax. It does nothing to save energy as it contains less BTU's and
you
> burn more fuel!!
>
> Bruce
> 1988 FC35
>