Dyed Diesel

[Mikie12]

I towed a trailer for a friend up to southern Oregon last week. He has a small farm there, and wanted to replace the fuel I used to get there.

I walk up just as he is pulling the nozzle out of my aux tank and I see what looks like cherry kool aid dripping off. Now I have about 70 gallons of dyed diesel in my 135 gallon system!

I'm concerned, will this negetively effect my engine in any way? It seemed to run great on the trip back but was unloaded. The exaust smells different but didn't smoke anymore than the usual light haze.

My friend says it is better for the motor than the LSD they have up there (I geuss he is going to pay the fine for me if I get dipped) Should I just burn it. Should I dilute it with ULSD. I don't have a cat, but will the fuel soot up the injectors? What about the oil; change as normal?

Anyone with thoughts???

Thanks, Mikie

 

[Task125]

won't hurt a thing,but your pocket. If you get stopped and they check your tank. dye says fuel was not taxed.

 

[WCounts]

It won't hurt a thing and may even be the same fuel.

During the shortage they allowed us to run off road diesel down here.

 

[TexasCat.]

Burn it. Your engine will be fine, you wont be able to tell a difference. You are taking a risk of getting caught, but with the price of diesel today, free diesel is good diesel.

 

[Mikie12]

So the extra sulfer won't hurt anything? The exaust has an acrid/ammonia smell, verses the normally sweeter smell.

Thanks Mikie.

 

[69RoadRunner]

Just let the tank go very close to empty before you fill up so that you don't have any of the dye left. It won't hurt the truck, but as stated above, you could get into deep doo-doo if you're caught with the untaxed diesel in your tank. It's only supposed to be used for farm and construction site use.

 

[Murle]

So the extra sulfer won't hurt anything? The exaust has an acrid/ammonia smell, verses the normally sweeter smell.

Thanks Mikie.

There is no extra sulfur in it. just the red dye... .

 

[Mikie12]

I read that off road or dyed had 1500 to 3000 ppm depending on where you get it , so I was concerned about any possible effects on the motor.

 

[nickleinonen]

I read that off road or dyed had 1500 to 3000 ppm depending on where you get it , so I was concerned about any possible effects on the motor.

that same isbe engine in some piece of farm equipment running on red needs the same level of fuel quality as our engines do...

 

[TexasCat.]

Well put Nick

 

[pwr2tow]

You guys are forgetting he has a cat, that could be why it has a more sulpher smell, but I thought all diesel was the same, just dye added.

 

[Miner49er]

I've seen a lot of posts over the last year since I've been involved with TDR addressing this issue of untaxed fuel.

I don't quite remember ever hearing of anyone "getting dipped"... . Has anyone out there been fined. What justified reason would one be stopped for the check of untaxed fuel anyway... ( unless someone ratted them off).

Just wondering...

 

[Mark31]

I would only put in a few gallons of fuel, burn it as low as you dare, and repeat several times. A tiny bit of red fuel will "show" and get you a fine, or much worse! Mark

 

[GaryCarter]

I've seen a lot of posts over the last year since I've been involved with TDR addressing this issue of untaxed fuel.

I don't quite remember ever hearing of anyone "getting dipped"... . Has anyone out there been fined. What justified reason would one be stopped for the check of untaxed fuel anyway... ( unless someone ratted them off).

Just wondering...

I have been stopped towing the RV through Miss. just so they could dip my tank.

One of our work trucks got stopped locally, dipped, and fined for red fuel.



I don't see how they get past the lack of probable cause, but when it's your constitution vs. a guy with a gun, what are you gonna do?



Gary

 

[dalexander]

I've seen a lot of posts over the last year since I've been involved with TDR addressing this issue of untaxed fuel.

I don't quite remember ever hearing of anyone "getting dipped"... . Has anyone out there been fined. What justified reason would one be stopped for the check of untaxed fuel anyway... ( unless someone ratted them off).

Just wondering...

I have yet to see anyone pulled over in the west. My guess would be that they are mostly concerned about commercial rigs. They are pulled over often by enforcement officers. It may happen more around farming communities and construction sites that have red diesel available.



Dennis

 

[10.5 Dave]

A gallon of used engine oil will turn that red fuel black without hurting anything.

If it were my truck I would run it till it was on E then fill up with fresh,legal fuel. After running that tank out I would swap the fuel filter to get rid of any red dye residue in the filter.

 

[pwr2tow]

Law enforcement have a sniffer they stick up the exhaust that can detect the chemical red dye in the soot. Not all law enforcment agencies have this of course but they could get access to them if needed. Farm auctions and live stock auctions are the prime target around here. My nephew worked at a live stock auction barn for a while and seen first hand the dipping process. Don't know if anyone was charged or not though.

 

[Prairie Dog]

Arround here a ford dealer was checked and found to have several trucks on the used lot with evidence of the red. They were fined $20K. Now they (the dealer) will check trade-in's before accepting them.

 

[RogersM]

I have yet to see anyone pulled over in the west. My guess would be that they are mostly concerned about commercial rigs. They are pulled over often by enforcement officers. It may happen more around farming communities and construction sites that have red diesel available.



Dennis

Dennis,

I also have not seen or heard of anyone out here getting checked in a private vehicle. I buy red for my tractor only. I have 'heard' that the fine is up to 20 grand plus loss of your truck... dunno if that's true. Also know that it takes several tankfuls of clean fuel to get the red dye out. I would never take the chance.



Mark

 

[AWray]

What does using Marvel Mystery Oil as a fuel additive do to the color of the fuel? It may not be enough of an excuse if you have a full tank of red fuel, but it might explain the red tint if you refilled with undyed fuel.