EPA Moves To Cut Sulfur In Gasoline

[mechman600]

Well put, RustyLugNut.

A few years ago I went to a training class in a certain factory in a certain southern state. The class was about the latest Diesel emission reduction technology - EGR, SCR, DPFs, etc., all of which I think is a good step to clean up stinky, disgusting diesels. The entire class could be summed up with a "we wouldn't have to do all this if it wasn't for stupid old California." It struck a real nerve with me as I learned how ignorant these people actually are.

Many find it easy to look outside in the middle of their prairie (or even a nice clean west coast city like where I live) and think pollution control is pointless and a waste of money, and I do not understand it.

Many still hang on the the early-70s mentality that if there is an emission control we must tear if off, and I do not understand it.

[Beau]

In 50 words or less, can someone please summarize what positive purpose sulfur does in an ICE and what damage will result from its reduction in a gasoline ICE application?

I am aware of the downfalls to diesel (pump failures, etc.) from the reduction in sulfur in that application.

Thank you.

[jamesqf]

Originally Posted by Old Tele man

...sorry, but those "insignificant" costs due to CARB and/or EPA have affected every car I've bought...

But so have the benefits, which go far beyond cleaner air. Did you really enjoy adjusting ignition points and cleaning/replacing spark plugs every 10K miles or so? How about adjusting carburetors? When was the last time you had to crank & crank on a carbed engine to get it to start, instead of the first turn start of a modern EFI engine?

[jamesqf]

Originally Posted by mechman600

It struck a real nerve with me as I learned how ignorant these people actually are.

Speaking of which, there was an example in the news today. Redneck reality TV star takes his SUV out playing in the mud, gets stuck in a hole with the exhaust below the mud, sits there with the engine running, dies of carbon monoxide poisoning. Darwin strikes again.

[gone-ot]

Originally Posted by Beau

In 50 words or less, can someone please summarize what positive purpose sulfur does in an ICE and what damage will result from its reduction in a gasoline ICE application?

I am aware of the downfalls to diesel (pump failures, etc.) from the reduction in sulfur in that application.

Thank you.

Sulphur is not 'added' to either gasoline or diesel, it is intrinsiclally a part of the crude oil itself, a component of the biomass decomposition into oil.

[gone-ot]

RustLugNut -- As I said, CALIFORNIA does NOT rule the United States, regardless of what *it* might think, and making everybody else suffer for their problems is neither democratic nor beneficial.

The CALIFORNIA mindset of "...what's good for US is good for YOU (whether you want or need it or not)" is self-centered and haughty.

Do what you want *IN* California, but leave the rest of us alone! Maybe we should cry to the BLM to "cut" the Colorado River water flow into Los Angles whenever Arizona (or Nevada) has a drought or water problem?

[Beau]

Originally Posted by Old Tele man

Sulphur is not 'added' to either gasoline or diesel, it is intrinsiclally a part of the crude oil itself, a component of the biomass decomposition into oil.

Let me phrase my question differently - other than the added expense that will result from the costs to reduce the amount of sulfer, are there negative impacts on the engine that will result from reduced sulfer content?

[gone-ot]

As yet unknown...sorta like when they took the lead out of gasoline, then discovered afterward that without the presence of lead, the valves were "sinking" into their head seats because previously the lead-oxide had acted like a "sponge-cushion" to prevent this from happening. An example of EPA's "Unintended Consquences" from not thoroughly investigating (understanding) the ramifications of their hasty mandates.

But, we *do* know that it should help prolong the life of catalytic converters, because it (suphur) is something else that they would NOT have to "burn" during their useful operating live span.

[Beau]

Thank you. I have been told that the reduction in sulfer in diesel fuel caused premature pump failure, therfore some are adding additives (including TC-W3 ashless two stroke oil).

[gone-ot]

Originally Posted by Beau

Thank you. I have been told that the reduction in sulfer in diesel fuel caused premature pump failure, therfore some are adding additives (including TC-W3 ashless two stroke oil).

...sounds like the infamous VW diesel pump problems of lately.