Additives from LIQUI MOLY meet the highest requirements

MTU Friedrichshafen GmbH recommends
LIQUI MOLY Lead Substitute

Ulm-Lehr, April 20st, 2007. Wear in diesel engines is reduced through use of LIQUI MOLY Lead Substitute in combination with sulfur-free fuels. This was confirmed by in-house tests conducted by MTU Friedrichshafen, a worldwide leading manufacturer of large diesel engines and complete drive systems. As a response to the results of these tests, MTU has already informed all its existing customers about the advantages of using the LIQUI-MOLY additive in particular series of their diesel engines and recommended its use.

The sulfur proportion of diesel fuel, which is derived from mineral oil, is converted during combustion into sulfur dioxide (SO2) and sulfuric acids/sulfates, producing what is called 'acid rain'. In addition, sulfur also affects the formation of particles in exhaust gases. The sulfur proportion in diesel has therefore been drastically reduced over a number of years. According to the definition that has since been fixed in law, fuels are deemed to be 'low-sulfur' if the sulfur content is less than 50 ppm (ppm = 10-6 = parts per million). In Germany alone, only fuels with sulfur contents of less than 10 ppm (term: sulfur-free) have been sold since as far back as January 1, 2003.

However, sulfur also lubricates frictional components in the engine. Low-sulfur fuels therefore bring the risk of increased wear in the valves or injection system, resulting in poorer engine performance and, in the worst-case scenario, damage to the engine. To prevent this scenario, what are known as additives are used as substitutes for the lubricating effect of the sulfur in the fuel. Not only gasoline engines requiring leaded gasoline, but above all diesel engines can be lubricated using Lead Substitute from LIQUI MOLY.

In an extensive study, MTU Friedrichshafen GmbH, a leading manufacturer of high-performance engines, tested the effect of using the Lead Substitute additive from LIQUI MOLY on MTU diesel engines. As a result of this study, LIQUI MOLY has received MTU approval for the Lead Substitute additive until August 2008. This approval particularly applies to engines from series 538, 595, 956 and 1163, on the condition that diesel fuels with less than 50 ppm sulfur are used.
In addition, MTU immediately issued a letter to all customers using the engines in question recommending the use of LIQUI MOLY Lead Substitute. The Turkish coastguard, which runs a fleet of ships using the relevant engines, has subsequently already ordered an initial consignment of LIQUI MOLY Lead Substitute.

These results once again show that the chemical additives from LIQUI MOLY GmbH are making a significant contribution to the care, maintenance and preservation of the efficiency of engines.


MTU Friedrichshafen GmbH
Founded in 1909, MTU Friedrichshafen GmbH has been contributing widely to the development of engine technology for nearly 100 years now. The product range of MTU in diesel engines and gas turbines is the most extensive and modern in the industry. MTU diesel engines are used worldwide in ships, industrial plants, heavy-duty agricultural and rail vehicles as well as in construction and industrial vehicles, right through to decentralized power plants. MTU Friedrichshafen GmbH operates sites across the world and is part of the Tognum Group, which employs more than 7,500 employees worldwide.