Has any had their tank dipped

[Ted Constantine]

As I was filling up tonight I wondered if anyone knew of a pickup getting tested for dyed fuel?

 

[swamp rat]

I've heard rumors (totally unsubstantiated to me) that occasionally farmers get sampled, but I kind of doubt it really happens very often as it is rather difficult to get a sample from our trucks fuel tanks without some handtools to remove the air return line from the filler neck to the tank. if the prospective tester were to ram some sort of tube down the filler neck, they would inevitably be prevented from obtaining a sample in that manner or they would knock the rollover check ball from the filler neck into the tank, in which case they would have to repair same.

Large trucks have no check valve in the due to the nature of the tank and fill hole.



However they could decide to get a sample from the Fuel Filter/H2O separator bleeder, even that could be worked around to make it more difficult with a bit of ingenuity.

 

[Jhillmann]

I know one person who has been tested and caught. He was pulled over for a burned out tail light on his trailer. The dyed fuel cost him $1000. 00

 

[BV]

Getting fuel sample

It is very easy to sample your fuel by opening the filter drain valve - I do this every other fill up to drain any sediment or water out of the filter housing.



Have not personally heard of anyone getting checked.

 

[Lurch]

I've been checked. Florida DOT was dipping at the scalehouse.



Lurch

 

[illflem]

In talking with the fellow who delivered fuel to my farm, his route covered almost one quarter of the state of WA, he said he only knew of one Ram being caught. It happened when the Ram stopped at a weigh station where they were checking. Bummer was that the guy didn't have to stop at the station. He said he knew of many semis getting caught. He runs red in his '96 CTD.

 

[Woodenhead]

I'm pretty sure I read somewhere on the TDR that they don't actually have to check the fuel. They can see if you've been burning dyed fuel just by taking a swab inside your tailpipe and testing it for some chemical in the dye. Am In out in left field here?

 

[illflem]

The way I understand it the swab test will only tell if you have used red fuel, not if you are currently using it. The way the law is written they have to prove that current tank of fuel is over 50% red to levee a fine on you, which they can, but rarely do with a chemical analysis. If you fight the ticket you will win, no one will show up with the analysis, they are just playing on the fact that most folks won't fight it. The law was written this way because a large number of semis used in grain harvest don't see a public road for a month or more. When it's time to hit the public road again the fuel will show red for quite some time even if it is 99. 99% clear fuel.

 

[QRTRHRS]

So what your suggesting here Bill is I could maybe get away with blending? Paid 90 cents per gal picked up last time I got red fuel. That would make a difference over time.

 

[illflem]

What I'm saying is if you ever get checked the chances are very much in your favor to beat the ticket. Our trucks are just small fry compared to an over the road for profit semi, there is very little chance you will be checked in the first place.

 

[swamp rat]

Tax Credits using Undyed D2 or K1

I happened to luck out when I learned of the flip side to the Red Dye issue. In case anyone hasn't heard if you use undyed diesel or kerosene from an unblocked pump (pump with normal lenght hose not the typical 18" hose usually seen) to heat your home or various other off-road use, you can take a tax credit right off the bottom line of your Federal Income Tax. IIRC, I think it is something like $0. 24/gal. For the longest time I was using strictly K1 for heat.

 

[jponder]

Originally posted by illflem

What I'm saying is if you ever get checked the chances are very much in your favor to beat the ticket. Our trucks are just small fry compared to an over the road for profit semi, there is very little chance you will be checked in the first place.

In Lousiana i saw at least 3 road blocks sticking for red diesel a month ago. They had duallies pulled over that were hauling trailers and they didnt wave me over, but i was legal. Red diesel was running 89cents a gallon when i was in la. last

John

 

[joel]

curious....

If you get pulled over for a traffic ticket, what right does the cop have to check your fuel tank? Do they ask for permission? Wouldn't that be like searching your car? I know they have to ask permission to look anywhere that isn't in plain sight.



Now, I understand if they set up a roadblock and check everyone - that's the same as drunk driving. But if they set up a road block and don't check every diesel that passes, they're not being random or sweeping and that, I believe, was deemed unfair at least for alcohol stops. And on military bases, they have to have some random method to choose which vehicles are searched. Either that or everyone.



Had a friend once, former FBI Special Agent, that told me, "if a cop ever asks permission to search your car, say no. " If they have a reason (probable cause), they won't ask or need your permission. Any cops out there want to comment? Thanks.

 

[illflem]

I don't know about the legalities of a search, but do know the regular police or state patrols don't give a hoot what color your fuel is. It's only the tax cops that that you need be concerned about.

 

[Don M]

illflem is correct. I have been stoped by state troopers in Ok. and never had any trouble.

The biggest giveaway on dyed fuel is the strong sulfur smell.



That can give them probable cause to sample you.



I had a loose filter on a transfer tank once and when I fired the pump up. . it shot dyed fuel all over me. This was when I ran my truck on the farm only. As long as you are off road the fuel is legal.

Well my whole entire truck bed and me were covered in red fuel... so I started down the road into town to wash the mess off.

I was sooo smelly and dirty I just wanted to get it all off so I was speeding down the HWy to get to town and got popped by a trooper for speeding.



My shirt was covered in fuel and was very red (kinda pink actually)

And the red fuel was all over the frickin truck too. The trooper was pissed that I was going so fast and he told me he knew the fuel was in the truck. I told him the story about what happened and he let me go. Needless to say, I was more carefull in town with that truck after that.

BTW, the red fuel runs very good in our trucks and keeps the injector pumps in good shape from all the sulfur.



Yes the fuel is tax deductible in certain circumstances. farmers here get a good break and do not even have to pay the tax up front.

I go through about 500 gallons a year easy.





Don~

 

[jponder]

Originally posted by illflem

I don't know about the legalities of a search, but do know the regular police or state patrols don't give a hoot what color your fuel is. It's only the tax cops that that you need be concerned about.

Ifflem> At these La. road blocks there were only state troopers! One was not a road block but a single state trooper with a dualie pulled over and putting a rod down in his tank. I didnt notice any other kinds of people there. You have to remember that this is the country of Louisana.

 

[Champane Flight]

IRS

We have a tax man come to our terminal once a month to test our dye injection equipment and rate of injection. He states that they are the only ones who are authorized to check for red dye. However they are stretched very thin and only do random checks (once in a blue moon) mostly on semis.



Dilution will not eliminate the presence of red dye,ANY red dye will get you in trouble. Our test equipment can test concentration down to 1 ppm. Almost all fuel suppliers have gone to low sulfer now,there is very little high sulfer diesel fuel being pumped at this time(except for rail,and a few industrial apps). Personally I would not want red dye in my tank,the stuff we use has a corrosive factor and has a tendecy of gumming if left to air for long. Just not worth it.



Of course I have a dislike for the whole concept of red dyed fuel. It shows you how much your goverment trusts you. And of course is one pain in the bu!! to handle. Get just a little on you and it will take days to get off.

 

[ANCIENT WOOD]

I talked with a guy a while back who put a 100 gallon tank in the be of his truck for off road fuel. He ran it through a valve so he could run dyed fuel off road and had only highway fuel in the stock tank for on the road. He said he rarely drove on the highway.