Using high sulfur/off road diesel in my CDI?
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2009
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e 320
Using high sulfur/off road diesel in my CDI?
First let me state that I know it is against the law. However, I am curious if any one has run high sulfur/off road diesel, the kind we use for tractors (red diesel) in a I6 or V6 CDI or bluetec?
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 597
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From: Monterey, CA
'97 E320
Here in CA, the red "offroad" diesel is ULSD...only difference is the red dye and lack of road excise tax.
If it is indeed the old #2 diesel, the inline-6 CDI should have no problem with it, but I wouldn't use it on a v6 cdi or bluetec.
If it is indeed the old #2 diesel, the inline-6 CDI should have no problem with it, but I wouldn't use it on a v6 cdi or bluetec.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 6,499
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From: Europe
223.168 & 213.012 & 906.633 & 214.005
The CDI should accept 50 ppm sulphur content while the V6 requires "sulphur free" fuel, in practise max 10 ppm, a typical value for ULSD being significantly less. Meaning I agree with the advice above.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,254
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From: Louisiana
03 E500 and Corvette
The fuel you use is really based on the conditions. After Katrina with emergency fuel requirements and a Presidential declariation of disaster area, off road diesel was used in some trucks on the road. This off road fuel was dispensed through the normal fuel system and road taxes paid. But this was clearly red diesel. Many emergency vehicles ran this fuel and didn't even know it was off road diesel. However cetane ratings with lubrication requirments might damage your vehicle. With life saving equipment red fuel was better than no fuel. So the off road fuel might run in your vehicle, but might also cause damage to the vehicle. If you are in a real emergency you might consider it otherwise just use the correct fuel.
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2008
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From: missouri
2005 E320 CDI, 2009 SLK350 (wife's toy), 2007 ML320 CDI,2001 dodge 1 ton diesel
Starting in the fall of 2007, in our area off road and on road are the EXACT same fuel, about 1-1/2 gallons of red dye is added to the tanker at the refinery. We purchase fuel by the tanker load (7200 gal) and add a lubricity additive, which costs $.01/gal. we run over 100 pieces of equipment, and have very few injection problems.
