Posted by MoparNorm on Tuesday, August 22, 2006 at 3:36PM :
In Reply to: OT Diesel question posted by apb on Tuesday, August 22, 2006 at 10:22AM :
OK Jerry, I'm awake...in fact I'm back from work already..= )
Arthur, starting in Oct. the states have a certain time frame in which to phase in the low sulfer/ultra low sulfer fuels. Each state is different. There is no longer a 49 state/CA split, it is now EPA (USA) and CA (the gang of five, as four other states have adopted CA regs) I believe that New York, MA and other eastern states are a part of CA regulations, meaning they have adopted CA regs. There have been a few cats in diesels for a few years, but the new cats use an active catalist filter made from urea. Now many may think that is a piss poor way to do it, because the current sulfur content in diesel eats the urea....
CA has an ultra low sulfur requirement, so in 2007 most diesels, including VW, Jeep Liberty, etc., will not be sold, because the cat technology has not yet been CA or CA certified. Look for most diesels models in the gang of 5 states to be held over until 2008 when ALL states must have the ultra low sulfur.
Ironically Jeep and Mercedes have the cleanest diesel ever built, the new 3.0 and 4.0 BluTec diesels. Until the new cats are approved by the gang of 5, these motors are only available in 45 states.
FYI ALL diesel in CA is now low sulfur, you'll be getting a full injector seal report from me if it screws up my truck. Ultra low sulfur today, $3.13.
Bottom line, regulations were set by politicians, actual technology was not yet available. Another reason that we are dependant upon more foriegn oil than we need to be, since diesels are 30% more fuel efficient.
All diesels in The Tunnel must be ultra low sulfur compliant by Dec. 31st.
MN
MN
Follow Ups: