13.3
DETROIT DIESEL 53
DETROIT DIESEL FUEL OIL SPECIFICATIONS
use of supplementary additives in such fuels and
Detroit Diesel designs, develops, and manufacturers
commercial diesel engines to operate on diesel fuels
classified by the A.S.T.M. as Designation D-975 (grades
"This policy should not be confused with the fact
1-D and 2-D). These grades are very similar to grades
that certain supplementary additives may effec-
DF-1 and DF-2 of Federal Specification VV-F-800.
tively and economically solve specific operating
Residual fuels and furnace oils generally, are not con-
problems which occasionally arise in some
sidered satisfactory for Detroit Diesel engines. In some
vehicles. In such instances, supplementary addi-
regions, however, fuel suppliers may distribute one fuel
tives may be developed on the basis of suitable
that is marketed as either diesel fuel (A.S.T.M. D-975)
tests to remedy such problems without otherwise
or domestic heating fuel (A.S.T.M. D-396) sometimes
causing harm to vehicles. These selected products
identified as furnace oil. In this case. the fuel should
are then given official GM part numbers and
be investigated to determine whether the properties
made available for use in appropriate service
conform with those shown in the FUEL OIL SELEC-
applications.
TION CHART. presented in this specification.
"While General Motors Corporation assumes
The FUEL OIL SELECTION CHART also will serve
responsibility for the additives selected by it to
as a guide in the selection of the proper fuel for various
remedy specific operation problems, it cannot,
applications. The fuels used must be clean, completely
of course, accept responsibility for the many
distilled, stable, and non-corrosive. DISTlLLATlON
other additives which are constantly being
RANGE, CETANE NUMBER, and SULFUR CON-
marketed."
TENT are three of the most important properties of
Although the stated Corporation policy is self-ex-
diesel fuels that must be controlled to insure optimum
planatory, the following is emphasized: Detroit Diesel
combustion and minimum wear. Engine speed, load,
does not recommend or support the use of any supple-
and ambient temperature influence the selection of
mentary fuel or lubricant additives. These Include
fuels with respect to distillation range and cetane
aII products marketed as fuel conditioners, smoke
number. The sulfur content of the fuel must he as low
suppressants, masking agents, reodorants, tune-up
as possible to avoid excessive deposit formation, pre-
compounds, top oils. break-in oils, graphitizers and
mature wear, and to minimize the sulfur dioxide ex-
friction reducing compounds.
hausted into the atmosphere.
NOTE: The manufacturer s warranty applicable
To assure that the fuel you use meets the required
to Detroit Diesel engines provides in part that
properties, enlist the aid of a reputable fuel oil supplier.
the provisions of such warranty shall not apply
The responsibility for clean fuel lies with the fuel
to any engine unit which has been subject to
supplier as well as the operator.
misuse, negligence or accident. Accordingly,
During cold weather engine operation, the cloud point
malfunctions attributable to neglect or failure
(the temperature at which wax crystals begin to form
to follow the manufacturer s fuel or lubricating
in diesel fuel) should he 10o F below the lowest ex-
recommendations indicated above may not be
pected fuel temperature to prevent clogging of the
within the coverage of the warranty.
fuel filters by wax crystals.
At temperatures below - 20o F. consult an authorized
Detroit Diesel service outlet, since particular attention
FUEL OIL SELECTION CHART
must be given to the cooling system. lubricating system,
fuel system, electrical system, and cold weather starting
Final
aids for efficient engine starting and operation.
General Fuel
Boiling Cetane Sulfur
Typical
Classification
No. Content
Point
Application
STATEMENT OF POLICY ON FUELS AND LUBRICANTS
(Min)
(Max)
(Max)
In answer to requests concerning the use of fuel and
lubricating oil additives, the following excerpts have
been taken from a policy statement of General Motors
o
Corporation:
675oF
0.50oo
45
Winter No. 2-D
All Other
675oF
Summer No. 2-D
40
0.50 o
Applications
"It has been and continues to he General Motors
policy to build motor vehicles that will operate
NOTE: When prolonged idling periods or cold weather
satisfactorily on the commercial fuels and Iubri-
conditions below 32o F are encountered. the
cants of good quality regularly provided by the
use of lighter distillate fuels may be more
petroleum industry through retail outlets. It is
practical. The same consideration must be
accordingly, contrary to the policy of General
made when operating at altitudes above 5,000 ft.
Motors to recommend the regular and continued
SEC. 13.3 Page 1
April, 1974
