LSD (Diesel) #2 ???

[ProfessorPaddle]

I did a search and could not find anything in the forums here on this. Of course I will do a little googling but I figured I would see if anyone around this joint has the low down on this fuel type.

Low Sulfur Diesel #2 is what the pump is labeled and the stuff is a good .40 cents cheaper in my neck of the woods than normal diesel. Whats the difference and is it bad on the filter/engine etc..

So far I have only seen this stuff at ARCO ( ) , safeway, fredmeyer and a truck stop. I have yet to use it since I don't know much about the difference.

Thanks

James

[geoffff]

I was curious too, and this something I found on http://dodgeram.org/tech/dsl/FAQ/diesel_fuel.htm:

> 4. Related to question 3, I do recall seeing something like "Highway
> Diesel #2" posted on the pumps at the station. What exactly does this
> mean with respect to sulfur and cetane rating?

It means that the sulfur level is approved for highway use and catalytic converters. Diesel #2 is heavier than #1. It also (usually) has lower Cetane and more heat energy per gallon than #1. #2 will tend to form wax crystals and gel at temperatures below 10 degrees F. Most winter fuels are a blend of #1 and #2, but when it gets really cold I add fuel conditioner to avoid clogging the fuel filter with wax crystals.

-- Geoff

[pjpvi]

I was also wondering. I just put about a half tank of Low Sulfer into my tank. Not sure if it's my imagination, but the van seems to be much more responsive than normally. This was the first time I have come across LSD before.

I have a 2005 PSD.

Phil

[geoffff]

Someone who really knows what they're talking about can feel free to chime in here, but for now what I seem to understand is...

There are two variables here: Grade (No. 1 vs. No. 2 diesel) and Sulfur (LSD, ULSD, etc.)

- In terms of Grade, No. 2 diesel can give you more power than No. 1 but may cause engine starting problems in low temperatures.

- In terms of Sulfur, it's now being removed from diesel fuel to allow for cleaner-burning diesel engines -- but there are some concerns about the lubrication properties of (ultra-)low-sulfur diesel fuel.

-- Geoff

[daveb]

I thought in Ca we were already using low sulfur diesel. ?????

[pjpvi]

Sorry. I meant to say ULSD, not LSD in my post.

Phil

[jage]

So I've heard that different areas have more additives to keep the fuel from gelling, like in Denver or Montana in the winter you would expect more than in Arizona, is that different from Diesel #1 vs. #2?

[whitewhale]

In Oregon and Washington I've seen very little #1 diesel at normal filling stations--- and that's over many years. In fact, I can think of only one station that regularly had it and they quit carrying it. It cost more but was better refined and ran much better and quieter in my Mercedes sedan. In Washington farm country we used to be able to buy off road diesel (with red dye) at a separate pump, but too many people started using it onroad in their pickup trucks and other onroad vehicles and not paying the tax so the state really tightened up. Off road was (is still?) much higher sulphur content. Federal regulations have reduced the sulphur content in all diesel, hence the concern about lubricity. Vehicle manufacturers keep assuring us there is no problem with this reduction in sulphur in terms of engine component life. I hope they are correct. I am confused about a cheaper #2 diesel product in the Seattle area because I thought it was all #2 anyway. Is somebody charging two different prices for the same #2 diesel? Maybe it doesn't have the same additives. Jage, they do make seasonal and regional adjustments in the additives to compensate to some degree for temperature changes, i.e., to reduce gelling, but I don't try to push it too far. I've never had any gelling problems in winter in the Northwest, and I'm sure it's because they switch to winter type diesel before the temp drops down. However, I have started adding anti-gelling stuff to the SMB for the coldest months just in case.

[Jammyauto]

All 2007 and newer vehicles MUST run ULSD or they will have problems with clogging particulate filters. Almost all the diesel currently sold in this country is ULSD. Older vehicles can run any diesel fuel available. ULSD in not currently sold in Mexico from what I have been able to gather. I know that the Felds from SMB west just did a trip through Mexico with a new body style van. I'm not sure how they dealt with the issue.
Some info here http://www.clean-diesel.org/faqs.html