Will Ultra Low Suphur Diesel mean less stuck glowplugs for OM606 Engines? Does ULSD or LSD = less Carbon build-up around the Glow Plugs? I think California and Texas have been using Low Sulphur Diesel for a while and was wondering if these cars are doing any better with Glowplugs. The PO changed mine 3 times with success. Am I barking up the wrong tree? Any thoughts?

Paul
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98 E300

I don't think so, unless ULSD has higher cetane but I don't think that will be the case. ULSD just means less sulphur, almost none. It also means less SO2 emissions, and manufacturers being able to use better catalyst technology to clean up other pollutants. But I don't see how it will reduce soot emissions or buildup in an existing engine.

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2004 VW Jetta TDI (manual)

Past MB's: '96 E300D, '83 240D, '82 300D, '87 300D, '87 420SEL

No it will mean some destroyed injection pumps

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1981 300D 147k
1998 VW Jetta Tdi 320k
2001 Dodge Ram 2500 141k
1979 300D 234k (sold)
1984 300D "Astor" 262k(sold)
Mercedes How-To and Repair Pictorials
I love the smell of diesel smoke in my hair

Well our IP's are lubed by engine oil so ULSD shouldn't be much of a problem, and definitely not if it's mixed with some biodiesel which I hope will be the case.

__________________
2004 VW Jetta TDI (manual)

Past MB's: '96 E300D, '83 240D, '82 300D, '87 300D, '87 420SEL

The plungers are lubed by the fuel not engine oil.

__________________
1981 300D 147k
1998 VW Jetta Tdi 320k
2001 Dodge Ram 2500 141k
1979 300D 234k (sold)
1984 300D "Astor" 262k(sold)
Mercedes How-To and Repair Pictorials
I love the smell of diesel smoke in my hair

But does it matter to the plungers? Have they been engineered to not need that much lubricity? Has there been any report that shows ULSD will bother that part of the IP?

__________________
01 Ford Excursion Powerstroke
99 E300 Turbodiesel
91 Vette with 383 motor
05 Polaris Sportsman 800 EFI
06 Polaris Sportsman 500 EFI
03 SeaDoo GTX SC Red
03 SeaDoo GTX SC Yellow
04 Tailgator 21 ft Toy Hauler
11 Harley Davidson 883 SuperLow

Back in the early 80's when the sulphur was lowered, pumps started failing left and right. The main cause was the lack of lubricity, which sulphur is. The pumps on the newer cars probably will not be affected, however on our 20 plus year old cars, they may have some issues with further reduced lubricity.

Our pumps are using 1970's technology and while they are very robust, there has to be some point where the lack of lubricity will have a negative inpact.

__________________
1981 300D 147k
1998 VW Jetta Tdi 320k
2001 Dodge Ram 2500 141k
1979 300D 234k (sold)
1984 300D "Astor" 262k(sold)
Mercedes How-To and Repair Pictorials
I love the smell of diesel smoke in my hair

I think CARB in California already dictates Cetane levels of > 50 for #2 Diesel (please correct me if needed). Are you saying more Cetane would mean less soot and carbon build-up and hence less stuck Glowplugs in OM606 Engines?

Paul
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98 E300

But will ULSD be that point? Does anyone know? Have there been states that did ULSD and got into that problem?

__________________
01 Ford Excursion Powerstroke
99 E300 Turbodiesel
91 Vette with 383 motor
05 Polaris Sportsman 800 EFI
06 Polaris Sportsman 500 EFI
03 SeaDoo GTX SC Red
03 SeaDoo GTX SC Yellow
04 Tailgator 21 ft Toy Hauler
11 Harley Davidson 883 SuperLow

I don't think the plungers in the IP or the injector nozzle tips (can't think of the proper name for that moving part right now) will suffer, because they're sized to move almost freely without friction. If in doubt, you can always add a small amount of one of the diesel fuel additives to boost lubricity. I believe the ASTM standard includes a minimum level of lubricity, so the distributor or retailer should add some lubricity additive to make sure ULSD meets the minimum standard. Minnesota for example already has at least B2 (2% biodiesel) at all stations, so lubricity is not an issue there at all. As far as cetane goes, California diesel is probably better than ours. 50 is actually very good already and 40 is the ASTM minimum, which sucks if you asks me, but unfortunately that seems to be prevalent in most of the country. I sincerely hope that since the purpose of ULSD is lowered emissions, the federal government will also raise its minimum cetane requirement. Higher cetane (less ignition delay) not only reduces emissions, but it puts less stress on our engines and makes them quieter.

__________________
2004 VW Jetta TDI (manual)

Past MB's: '96 E300D, '83 240D, '82 300D, '87 300D, '87 420SEL

I tried Cetane Boost and raised it 6 numbers but haven't noticed a thing difference. Still the same startup times and still the same rattling.

__________________
01 Ford Excursion Powerstroke
99 E300 Turbodiesel
91 Vette with 383 motor
05 Polaris Sportsman 800 EFI
06 Polaris Sportsman 500 EFI
03 SeaDoo GTX SC Red
03 SeaDoo GTX SC Yellow
04 Tailgator 21 ft Toy Hauler
11 Harley Davidson 883 SuperLow

I have a copy of the document Bosch (of Germany) released that specifically states the problems/issues that are going to crop up on their injection pumps when the switch to ULSD happens.

Its going to be a problem...not at the first but it will slowly start wearing pumps much faster.

Yes they are meant to operate with little friction...but they WILL wear much faster and once they break past that threshold, they will wear fast.

If I can dig the document up, I'll scan it. Very interesting material...has me concerned.

BTW carbon buildup cannot come from the sulfur in the fuel...unless you are splitting atoms in your engine

ah yes, logic has just overtaken wishful thinking, Thanks Brandon.

Paul
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98 E300

But you started a good thread in light of it. ULSD is going to cause problems and we need to know about it before hand

I can't wait to see the document. I'd been told by a rather reliable source that ULSD would cause no harm to our IPs. I hope you find it soon.

-Joe

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'81 MB 300SD, '82 MB 300D Turbo (sold/RIP), '04 Lincoln Town Car Ultimate

Sooner or later every car falls apart, ours does it later!
-German Narrator in a MB Promotion Film about the then brand new W123.