DETROIT DISEL 53
13.3
DETROIT
DIESEL
FUEL OIL SPECIFICATIONS
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 1-D and 2-D). These grades are very similar to grades DF-1 and DF-2 of
Federal Specification VV-F-800. Residual fuels and furnace oils, generally. are not considered satisfactory for Detroit
Diesel engines. In some regions. however, fuel suppliers may distribute one fuel that is marketed as either diesel fuel
(A.S.T.M. D-975) or domestic heating fuel (A.S.T.M. D-396) sometimes identified as furnace oil. In this case, the fuel
should be investigated to determine whether the properties conform with those shown in the FUEL OIL SELECTION
CHART. presented in this specification.
The FUEL OIL SELECTION CHART also will serve as a guide in the selection of the proper fuel for various applications.
The fuels used must be clean, completely distilled. stable. and non-corrosive. DISTILLATION RANGE, CETANE
NUMBER. and SULFUR CONTENT are three of the most important properties of diesel fuels that must be controlled to
insure optimum combustion and minimum wear. Engine speed, load, and ambient temperature influence the selection of
fuels with respect to distillation range and cetane number. The sulfur content of the fuel must be as low as possible to
avoid excessive deposit formation. premature wear. and to minimize the sulfur dioxide exhausted into the atmosphere.
During cold weather engine operation, the cloud point (the temperature at which wax crystals begin to form in diesel fuel)
should be 10 F below the lowest expected fuel temperature to prevent clogging of the fuel filters by wax crystals.
At temperatures below -20 F. consult an authorized Detroit Diesel service outlet. since particular attention must be given
to the cooling system, lubricating system. fuel system, electrical system, and cold weather starting aids for efficient
engine starting and operation.
STATEMENT OF POLICY ON FUELS AND LUBRICANTS
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 Corporation:
"It has been and continues to be General Motors police' to build motor vehicles that will operate
satisfactorily, on the commercial fuels and lubricants of good quality, regularly provided by, the
petroleum industry through retail outlets. It is accordingly contrary to the policy of General Motors to
recommend the regular and continued use of supplementary additives in such .fuels and lubricants.
"This policy y should not be confused with the fact that certain supplementary additives mat,
effectively' and economically sole specific operating problems which occasionally arise in some
vehicles. In such instances. supplementary additives mat' be developed on the basis of suitable
tests to remedy such problems without otherwise causing harm to vehicles. These selected products
are then given official GM part numbers and made available for use in appropriate service
applications.
"While General Motors Corporation assumes responsibility. for the additives selected by it to remedy
specific operating problems, it cannot. of course, accept responsibility for the many other additives
which are constantly, being marketed. "
Although the stated Corporation policy is self-explanatory, the following is emphasized: Detroit Diesel does not
recommend or support the use of any supplementary fuel or lubricant additives. These include all products marketed as
fuel conditioners, smoke suppressants, masking agents. reodorants, tune-up compounds, top oils, break-in oils,
graphitizers and friction reducing compounds.
NOTE:
The manufacturer's warranty applicable to Detroit Diesel engines provides in part
that the provisions of such warranty shall not apply to any engine unit which has
been subject to misuse, negligence or accident. Accordingly, malfunctions
attributable to neglect or failure to follow the manufacturer's fuel or lubricating
recommendations indicated above may not be within the coverage of the warranty.
FUEL OIL SELECTION CHART
Final
Typical
General Fuel
Boiling
Cetane
Sulfur
Application
Classification
Point
No.
Content
(Max)
(Min)
(Max)
675F
All Other
Winter No. 2-D
45
0.50%
675F
Applications
Summer No. 2-D
40
0.50%
NOTE: When prolonged idling periods or cold weather conditions below 320 F are
encountered, the use of lighter distillate fuels may be more practical. The same
consideration must be made when operating at altitudes above 5,000 ft.
April, 1974
SEC. 13.3 Page 1
