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Low Sulphur diesel

Posted: Thu Feb 13, 2003 9:43 pm
by Roktruk
Developed a fuel leak in the Roktruk's pump last week, so headed to Cooma diesel in Fyshwick to check it out. I was informed that the low sulphur diesel forced on us by our friendly government is wreaking havoc on the seals in pre-96 diesels. Same story from Queanbeyan diesel

So what the hell's going on?? Can I send my $900 repair bill to the Government? Has any one else encountered problems, and what are the long term effects.

There's been a lot in the media about the effects of ethanol in petrol, but to me this seems far worse.

I feel better now. Have to put some more foil on hat... stop the voices. ...

Posted: Thu Feb 13, 2003 9:55 pm
by duncan
A mate of mine works for BP and told me that BP have paid out claims in Queensland to people that have had problems because of the low sulphur deisal the pay out only covers labour and parts for the new seals to be fitted its worth asking

Posted: Thu Feb 13, 2003 10:52 pm
by Punchy
yes my truck has just started leaking as well.. Turbo diesle 80 series..and i'm mighty pissed at this..

Given the pump is probly due for a service..i sure as hell don't need it expediated with and extrenal leak..

GAH ...the men in the black suits are comming for us all !....

Posted: Thu Feb 13, 2003 11:42 pm
by big red
mine was one of the first claims against bp, the later models have different material in the o rings and seals.
i think the claim period is over but it doesn't hurt to ask.
by the way , i didn't tell you this. [ had to sign a secrecy clause ]
my lift pump also leaked a while later but didnt claim, just fitted a complete CAV unit instead.

Posted: Fri Feb 14, 2003 7:18 am
by bj on roids
my motor was rebuilt in '01 does this mean it will be okay or what?

should i just run it on chip fat? :lol:

Posted: Fri Feb 14, 2003 10:39 pm
by Bush65
Apparently:

The treatment process to lower the sulphur, reduces the lubricity and causes deteriation of some rubber types (eg Buna N) used for seals.

Inline pumps are generally lubricated by the engine oil and probably don't have any rubber seals in contact with diesel.

Rotary distributor type pumps are lubricated by the diesel (read could wear more with low sulphur diesel) and have rubber seals at throttle shafts etc that could be affected. Some pumps use ceramic parts to overcome wear problems with low sulphur diesel.

Edit: WA has had low sulphur for some time. Low sulphur became nation wide on Jan 1, 2003. Ultra low sulphur becomes mandatory 2005 (or 2006 - cant remember which). There was suposed to be a 1 cent/litre increase in diesel excise on Jan 1, 2003 rising to 2 cent/litre on Jan 1, 2004 to encourage us to convert to Ultra low earlier. The 1 cent increase has been put back to June because of the drought.

Posted: Fri Feb 14, 2003 11:45 pm
by Punchy
so who was using the low sulfur prior to jan 2003 and who wasn't

cause i only get my diesle at one of two places and one of them is mobile

and a generic servo..
and i wacked a tin of that toyota injector cleaner in it as well...

any thoughts

Posted: Sat Feb 15, 2003 4:29 am
by BundyRumandCoke
Yeah In Qld, BP had a lot of problems a couple of years ago. They ended up paying for quite a few repair jobs. I believe they have changed the way they reduce the sulphur in their diesel, and no longer pay any claims. Caltex/Ampol had a different way of reducing the sulphur in theirs, and had no problems. Something to do with the chemicals/processes used I was told. Be careful, cause different companies supply to different retailers, ie up here, BP supplies diesel to Shell. As for the price going down to encourage us to use low sulphur, WHO THE HELL ARE YOU KIDDING????? Little Johnny and his co horts will find some way of taking it back off us, and adding a few extra cents just for good measure. Look at unleaded. Diesel will go the same way. Shit, most times diesel is more expensive than unleaded here anyway, which, my friends, is one big load of baloney.

Cheers
David

Posted: Sat Feb 15, 2003 9:45 am
by Bush65
BundyRumandCoke wrote:Yeah In Qld, BP had a lot of problems a couple of years ago. They ended up paying for quite a few repair jobs. I believe they have changed the way they reduce the sulphur in their diesel, and no longer pay any claims. Caltex/Ampol had a different way of reducing the sulphur in theirs, and had no problems. Something to do with the chemicals/processes used I was told. Be careful, cause different companies supply to different retailers, ie up here, BP supplies diesel to Shell. As for the price going down to encourage us to use low sulphur, WHO THE HELL ARE YOU KIDDING????? Little Johnny and his co horts will find some way of taking it back off us, and adding a few extra cents just for good measure. Look at unleaded. Diesel will go the same way. *****, most times diesel is more expensive than unleaded here anyway, which, my friends, is one big load of baloney.

Cheers
David


I said INCREASE in excise - no mention of prices coming down. And it is to encourage us to use *ultra low sulphur*.

I imagine it will be like, when un-leaded came out - the price of leaded was increased above that for un-leaded to ... If so, then low sulphur will cost more than ultra low sulphur. That's the way I interpret the info that I found on the subject.

This whole low sulphur thing was one of the demands that the libs gave to democrats in exchange for passing GST bills in senate.

Posted: Sat Feb 15, 2003 7:07 pm
by nissang60
diesel..it has turned into B.S. it wasnt that long ago they suckered alot of people in to buying diesel by keeping the price WAY down there was about a 20c ltr difference in price now HA what now does diesel gunna offer you except for B.S. prices high maintainence cost , because you got to keep the filters done all the time high prices of injector services oil changes more than regular..of coarse they give you a bit better pull but in the long run is it worth it now..used to be...... but not now..(not taking the mickey out of anyone)..and now the buggered it up i know a lot of people that dont service their motors properly and the B.S. things stuff up real quick..blow smoke (you wouldnt want to be behind them).....good luck..sulpher in diesel..nice stuff

Posted: Sun Feb 16, 2003 12:56 am
by Jeeps
Yep, them diesels sure are a lot cheaper in the long run...

TRICK:

Don't use Woolworths, IFS, Seven-11 etc. They use cheap crap.

BP & Mobile seem to be the best.

A mate has a 97' Disco. It fu(ked up cause he ALWAYS used Woolworths fuel. He changed to BP/MOBILE and hey-presto! Clean fuel that provided more power and range, and less engine repairs.

Posted: Sun Feb 16, 2003 10:11 am
by Shorty40
Jeeps wrote:Yep, them diesels sure are a lot cheaper in the long run...

TRICK:

Don't use Woolworths, IFS, Seven-11 etc. They use cheap crap.

BP & Mobile seem to be the best.

A mate has a 97' Disco. It fu(ked up cause he ALWAYS used Woolworths fuel. He changed to BP/MOBILE and hey-presto! Clean fuel that provided more power and range, and less engine repairs.


This happened to my rig. Sh!t fuel from Woolies. LRP though, not Diesel.

They get you in with the cheap fuel. Think of it like this..........Is your engine worth the 4c per litre you save :?:

Posted: Sun Feb 16, 2003 12:10 pm
by Julian_4x4
we had the same problem here in new zealand. To be safe change your fuel filter
And if anything bungs up like injector pumps starts leaking the auto mechanic near you should fix the problem free of charge-thats here in nz oops that happen like 2 years ago :lol:

Posted: Sun Feb 16, 2003 7:25 pm
by Roktruk
Lots of interesting stuff there. Totally agree with the Woolies stuff, even when it was 6 cents cheaper. No better than heating oil, way down on power and economy.

I only fill at 2 places, Shell and BP. Interesting that they draw from the same source. I'm going to chase this further, so stay tuned.

Posted: Sun Feb 16, 2003 8:21 pm
by theshedguy
They all draw from the same place, and swap fuels when one runs low etc,
the cost of diseasel went up when it did by so much, to pay for the infurstructure of making cleaner diseasel, so we can get more overseas better performance diseasel vehicles, as we have been limited because our diseasel has been "dirty" for so long. Sulphur is also the visual contaminent that creates visible smog.

Any site which has fly buys, optimax, ultimate 98 or synergy 8000 is a company owned site, and will never have "blended" fuel, fill at a site which doesnt have these products available on the drive, and you take the risk.