Truckers Urged to Monitor ULSD Effect on Engines

ltra-low-sulfur diesel fuel due out later this year should provide sufficient lubricating properties for the fuel-injection systems at the heart of the new 2007 model-year heavy-duty truck engines, according to original equipment manufacturers and companies that produce motor oils.

But because the amount of sulfur in diesel will be reduced by 97% and the process used to create ULSD washes out some of diesel’s natural lubricating qualities, a number of fuel experts interviewed by Transport Topics said re-search into ULSD’s effect on the new power plants should continue.

Specifically, fuel experts said, maintenance managers should monitor closely whether ULSD’s lubricating qualities are high enough to prevent wear on fuel-injector parts or if ASTM International’s standards should be adjusted to require a higher minimum level of lubricity. ASTM develops and publishes widely accepted scientific, engineering and manufacturing standards.