Poor Quality Diesel in Canada?

[aamiggia]

I have another diesel question for the experts.

I have heard that the reason Toyota did not import the 13BT and other direct injection TD's is because of the poor diesel fuel quality in Canada. Most of the crude oil in Canada is riddled (much higher than Euro) with sulphur. And the Canadian regulated limits for sulphur content in diesel is very high (again, compared to Euro). I believe the limits will tighten up in a few years.

I cannot explain the importation of VW diesels in Canada. I've seen a guy on the board mention he drives a VW Bora (the Jetta in Europe) maybe he can tell me if the MPG of Euro VW TDi is the same as USDM models. Or if they are "de-tuned".

I think the smart car in Canada has much worse gas mileage than the Euro model for this reason. They are detuned from the factory to compensate for "bad gas" (I can't say that with a straight face )

I bring this up because I read in "Australian 4wd Monthly" that Aus does not get the most high tech diesels because they have simillar diesel. Although this will change soon when more strict limits are imposed.

 

[Stone]

I don't know very much about diesel fuel, but there's some good websites that explains it well. This is from Shell Canada's website:

As of Oct. 1, 1994, Shell and other major Canadian refiners began selling only low-sulphur (0.05 per cent) diesel fuels, under an agreement with the federal government to reduce particulate emissions.

Shell Fuels advisor Colin Britton says some concerns have been raised in the United States about loss of fuel pump lubricity, due to sulphur-content reductions. But he says he sees no cause for concern in Canada, because Shell's Scotford Refinery near Edmonton has been manufacturing ultra-low sulphur diesel fuel (0.01 per cent) for more than a decade without experiencing any signs of lubricity problems

From reading that, I understand the sulphur content to be an issue of lubricity. I always use Howes Diesel Treat with every tank of fuel to make sure that my engine's happy. I believe Howes not only prevents water from ever having contact with sensitive components such as injectors, but it also improves lubricity.

The Shell website also discusses "cetane" ratings in diesels, mentioning that European diesel fuel have much higher cetane ratings, but explains why Canadian fuel requires a lower rating (cool temps). Anyway, here's the website...http://www.shel.ca/code/motoring/encyclopedia/diesel/diesel.html. I'm sure there are other good websites out there that other people will post up.

 

[crushers]

you want to add a bit of zip to your oil burner add kerosene to each tankful...
<ZOOM,ZOOM> mazda commercial...

 

[cruiser_guy]

The Shell website also discusses "cetane" ratings in diesels, mentioning that European diesel fuel have much higher cetane ratings, but explains why Canadian fuel requires a lower rating (cool temps). Anyway, here's the website...http://www.shel.ca/code/motoring/encyclopedia/diesel/diesel.html. I'm sure there are other good websites out there that other people will post up.

From my understanding the cetane rating is how well the diesel burns much like the octane rating in gasoline. It's has nothing to do with cold temperatures (that's where #1 diesel and kerosene help out).

 

[The Dude]

It's not just Canada, it's all of North America. Our deisel sucks. It is dirty, full of water and has very little cetain in it. It works great in low pressure fuel systems of the big rigs and farm tractors. And that's about it.

Just ask GM and CAT why they where replacing so many injectors on engines. With the high pressure injection systems of modern technology, it is desrtroying fuel systems. Most (if not all ) manufacturers are now running dual filters on all there equipment, and many have been for years. It is the first thing I did to my Duramax.

Why do oil companies get away with it? Who knows. But it has been my experince that clean fuel will burn better, burn hotter and is way better for your fuel delivery system know matter how it was designed.

I have some ISO numbers on fuel I had tested if anybody is interested. Both pre- and post filtration.

 

[crushers]

I have some ISO numbers on fuel I had tested if anybody is interested. Both pre- and post filtration.

i am...

 

[The Dude]

I can't get my table to come across OK so you will have to figure this out. Basically you want to be below 15/13/10 (minimum) with your ISO numbers. This is according to some industry standard on wear results at 20 000psi on injectors. I couldn't find the origanal documents. Sorry (it's SAE Paper 980869 - High-Pressure Injection Fuel System Wear Study). I also included the PPM of water. Most diesel contains at least 20ppm. and is the reason I run an additive. With the additive I am below 5ppm. The other important thing to note is the efficiency rating. A 2 micron filter with a efficiency of 70% (most are below that) is junk.

the first number is particle count per 1 mm and the second number is the corasponding ISO number

Unfiltered Pump Fuel
2 um 10139 21
5 um 4296 19
15 um 619 16

Filtered (CAT and OEM)
2 um 100 14
5 um 33 12
15 um 5 10

Water 78 ppm
Cetane Index 48.88

Efficiency All Filters
2 um 99.0
5 um 99.2
15 um 99.2

 

[lowenbrau]

It's not just Canada, it's all of North America. Our deisel sucks. It is dirty, full of water and has very little cetain in it. It works great in low pressure fuel systems of the big rigs and farm tractors. And that's about it.

QUOTE]

Have I mentioned how much I love 3B's? "Big rigs and farm tractors" I love the company. I'll keep burning the crap fuel and swaping injectors every twenty years.

That being said, I don't see much difference in the injections system of the 13BT. I don't know if bad fuel was reason alone to keep these out of Canada.

 

[The Dude]

I would agree totally, I don't think there is a thing to worry about on our Land Cruisers.

Oh, and every 20 years???? and what's that for you these days about 50000km ;p

what are you driving of the diesel variety these days? A wagon of sorts I am sure. How is Trillion coming along?

I have got to restock my tire/rim suplply and get those out to you over christmas

 

[lumpy70]

what did you order in the way of tires for the old Mustard Wagon?

Craig.

 

[Stone]

From my understanding the cetane rating is how well the diesel burns much like the octane rating in gasoline. It's has nothing to do with cold temperatures (that's where #1 diesel and kerosene help out).

Shell's explanation on their website about the higher cetane fuels and our cold winters:

Paraffins also offer the best cetane rating, a precise scientific measure of the starting properties of diesel fuels. The Canadian federal minimum standard for cetane is 40 and Shell diesel exceeds this requirement.

(In some European countries, cetane typically exceeds 50. But such fuels also have higher cloud points that are not practical in severe Canadian winters. And note: cetane is NOT a measure of power.)

 

[lowenbrau]

what did you order in the way of tires for the old Mustard Wagon?

Craig.

Toyo Open Country M/Ts 315/75-16. I figure I'll sell 'em to someone who buys one of the HDJ80's Wayne has coming if I don't like them.