A data point on high sulfer fuel

mlmartin · Aug 13, 2001

From time to time I re-read my JD 870's operator's manual. I pick out more things of interest when I re-read it after reading posts here. It's sort of a continuing education effort/w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

In the fuel specifications it says:

"Important: Use fuel with less than 1.0 per cent sulfer. If possible, use fuel with less than 0.5 per cent sulfer.

"If fuel sulfer is more than 0.5 per cent, change oil and filter every 100 hours"

The normal oil/filter interval is 200 hours.

You might want to consider this if you use known high sulfer fuel or don't know the sulpher content of the fuel you are using.

Matthew

r0GuE · Aug 14, 2001

Whats the sulfer content of ON-ROAD deisel (like from exxon)

Rogue

Bird · Aug 14, 2001

Rogue, I don't know exactly what it is, but my Exxon distributor has assured me it's less than the .5%. I think that's true for all the on road diesel.

Bird

Anonymous Poster · Aug 16, 2001

On-road diesel is no more than 0.05% sulfur by weight. Off road (the dyed stuff) can have ten times that amount (0.5%).

The reason the oil needs more frequent changing is that sulfur becomes sulfuric acid in the oil.

MODiesel · Aug 17, 2001

<blockquote><font size=1>In reply to:</font><hr>

The reason the oil needs more frequent changing is that sulfur becomes sulfuric acid in the oil.

<hr></blockquote>

Yep. But sulfur is also a lubricity agent in the fuel which helps to prevent wear on the fuel pump & injectors.

High sulfur fuel is getting hard to find around here at the stations. Only one local guy still carries true 0.5% sulfur diesel. We still have out local jobber fill the 500 gallon tank on the farm with it, but he says farms are the only demand anymore. Most "off road" fuel is getting to be onroad fuel with dye and less taxes.

Best Regards,
Jay

ERNIEB · Aug 18, 2001

<font color=blue>Most "off road" fuel is getting to be onroad fuel with dye and less taxes</font color=blue>
Great, until the IRS shows up, and sticks a sampling tube in your tank/w3tcompact/icons/shocked.gif/w3tcompact/icons/shocked.gif

Ernie

Anonymous Poster · Aug 20, 2001

According to Chevron the sulfur itself isn't the lubricant in the fuel. Rather the problem is the process to remove the sulfur changes certain properties of the fuel. They claim all major suppliers add a lubricant back to the cleaner fuel. I don't trust them and use my own diesel conditioner.
FYI
Greg H