[C320-list] FW: ULSD (Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel)

[Karl Mielenhausen _/)]

Bert,

In our area, marine diesel is still the low sulfur fuel, not the ultra low, but that may change soon.

Anticipating that happening, I asked Yanmar, Mack Boring, and my local mechanic what I should be doing in terms of an additive or change in operating procedures.

Yanmar was no help, refering me to Mack Boring.

Mack Boring did not answer any of the questions that I posed but did forward the sell sheet for an additive they market.

My local mechanic recommended that I add a lubricity enhancer in addition to what I was already doing to control biogrowth.



You are correct, a lubricity enhancer is added by the refiner to compensate for the lack of sulfur in the fuel. Problem is that the post-enhancer level is thought to be a minimum and secondly, there are no studies that pinpoint the enhancers useful life. There is some believe that the positive effects may diminish as the treated fuel ages.



My approach (which I have just begun) is to add the additive Algae-X AFC-705 each time I top off the tank. In addition to being a fuel stabilizer, it is claimed to reduce carbon buildup, clean injectors, and add lubricity. Unfortunately, the minimum purchase size (8oz) is enough to treat 320 gals (or about 10 years worth in my case). Fortunately, I have found several other local boaters who are interested in sharing my supply.



More details on AFC-705 can be found here...

http://www.diesel-fuels.com/diesel-fuel/catalyst.html



I too am interested in hearing of other experiences and approaches.

I suspect this is a problem that will only develop over a long period of time, therefore we will have no idea if our precautions have be effective for quite awhile.



Karl Mielenhausen

2000 C320 Hull#690 "Silver Lining"

New Bern, NC

http://pages.suddenlink.net/kmielen/

From: BAdams3491 at aol.com [mailto: BAdams3491 at aol.com]

To: C320-List at catalina320.com

Date: Thu, 10 May 2007 15:54:43 EDT

Subject: [C320-list] ULSD (Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel)



On page 99 of the May issue of Sail, in the Diesel Notes article, it  is suggested, that due to the reduced sulfur content in the new ULSD, that we  should use an additive which would add back into the fuel a lubricant that the  sulfur used to provide in the old LSD.  I own a diesel truck, and my dealer  and his mechanics all say that the new USLD has a special additive in it  that provides the lubricity formerly in the old fuel. Are our boat engines different from truck diesels? I sent the above as a question to the author, I'll let the forum know  if/when I get a response.  Any thoughts/comments from this fine group are  most welcome. BertAt Ease#442************************************** See what's free at http://www.aol.com.

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