Cruising World article re low sulfer diesel

[Randy]

Read the editorial in this month's Cruising World re the govt's looming manditory release of ULTRA LOW SULFER diesel fuel. According to the article, the sulfer content will now be so low, it will not properly lubricate our old Perkins engines, specifically, the fuel injection pump. Any ideas out there? What are we to do?

[Dale Tanski]

Perhaps now is a good time for the revolution...
I just read a great article on the new government mandated eco safe water based paints.  They are so toxic that the only way to be semi safe is to wear a pressure suit.  The water souable aspect allows them to be easily absorbed through the skin and especially through the respiratory system.  Other base paints not so much.  The chemicals that they are made of are supposedly great for the environment but the can be absorbed by every living thing.  Typical coatings are not compadable and transfer is much more difficult. 
Same stupidity with ethanol.  Our corn is going to ethanol production and the world is starving.  It is mandated by the feds and only they can collect a special ethanol tax on each and every gallon.  Around here up until Christmas you still could get non-ethanol regular fuel.  When they changed my milage went down the drain.  Lously gas milage, no problem just buy more gas and pay more tax.  I did some research and switched to premium fuel.  My milage is back to were it used to be for only 20 cents more a gallon.  I am talking up 10 mpg.  The alcohol in ethanol has higher octane than straight gasoline at first but it drops very quickly as it sucks in water vapor like a sponge.  Ethanol a few weeks old can be down in the 83/84 octane range.  Your new car will run because the computer will change the timing and fuel ratio, but it will run like a slug.  My car was so gutless that I thought I had transmission problems.  Every little incline and it would downshift.  I added 1/2 a tank of premium and it was fixed.   Most premium fuels do not have ethanol. Remember all EPA fuel estimates are based on pure gasoline.  Add ethanol and kiss those numbers goodbye.
If a government expert says this is what we should be doing, RUN!
The only reason for all of this crap is the transfer of money, yours into theirs. Sorry to be so negative but enough is enough.

Dale

[EdHouston]

Sounds like we all need to get our Boat US reps on this one, I for one do not want to re-power.

Ed

[SailingSeaDragon]

Boat US fought the law requiring ethanol in gas for marine use and lost... If you are not aware, ethanol will dissolve fiber glass fuel tanks which many boats built in the 80's & 90's have. As the ethanol attacks the fiberglass there are at least two (2) problems i) destruction of your engine (or two if you are a powerboat); ii) leaking of gas into the boat (a little dangerous) from there the only place for it to go is into the water (possible problem)....

This is just one more example of really dumb ideas promoted by clueless well meaning (benefit of the doubt as I am sure they are honest people) politicians.

Garner

[ishmael]

Unfortunately I have grown too cynical to believe in their good intent.  At least for most of them.  Anyway, to get back to the diesel sulfur problem.  I am currently using Sentry Diesel Plus to add lubricity and soak up a little water.  It says on the label that it is ULSD compatible.  There are other products on the market that do the same.  They may be as good or better.  This was suggested to me by a company that cleans commercial tanks here in Fl.   Also, once we have to buy the ULTRA low sulfur diesel I'm not sure of the outcome.  For now, after 3 years of use I have seen no problems.  Less smoke too for what that's worth.

Ron
S/V Matchmaker
St Marks, FL

[Randy]

Thanks Ron. I will search out Sentry product here in Virginia. Diesel now reduced to 500 ppm and the ultra low going down to something like 15ppm. Quite a decrease. I love my ole Perkins and treat her like the ole gal she is. Hate the thought of having to repower.