Howdy, I'm new here and to diesels as well! I just bought an 03' Chevrolet 2500 reg cab, long bed for work on the farm. I've been trying to do some internet research to find out if there will be any problems with the Duramax if all she is fed is Off Road fuel that I use for my tractors. My search for an answer has led me here and I would appreciate any info you guys might have. Remember this is a farm truck that will only see about 1 mi of highway use between gates to the pastures.

Thanks,
HPD

COPIED FROM A POST FROM ANOTHER THREAD [Red Diesel Fuel Being Used in Vehicles Equipped with GM 6.5L or 6.6L Diesel Engine - hard miss pump stall start #PI00641A - (Aug 12, 2003)
Red Diesel Fuel Being Used in Vehicles Equipped with a GM 6.5L or 6.6L Diesel Engine


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When servicing the vehicle with the VIN you entered, the following diagnosis might be helpful if the vehicle exhibits the described symptoms.

Condition/Concern:



GM Dealer notices red diesel fuel being used in vehicles equipped with a GM 6.5L or 6.6L Diesel engine.

Recommendation/Instructions:



Engineering reports that red Diesel fuel will not cause any problems when used in the fuel system of our vehicles equipped with the GM 6.5L or 6.6L Diesel engine, and will not cause sensor codes to set. Accordingly, warranty decisions should not be based on the discovery of red fuel in the fuel system or injection pump of a GM 6.5L or 6.6L Diesel engine.


Federal regulations require certain diesel fuels be colored with dye for tax purposes. Diesel fuel injection pumps have been tested with various dyed fuels and have been found to operate satisfactorily with such fuels. Water or other fuel contamination is not covered under the Stanadyne and Bosch warranty regardless of whether the fuel is dyed or not. A change is being made to the service policies and procedures manual, section 4.6.6 to reflect this information. With regards to legality if a customer requests to know what fuel is legal for them to use, refer them to their local government agency for handling. Please refer all inquiries to this document.


Please follow this diagnosis process thoroughly and complete each step. If the condition exhibited is resolved without completing every step, the remaining steps do not need to be performed. If these steps do not resolve the condition, please contact GM TAC for further diagnostic assistance. This diagnostic approach was developed for the vehicle with the VIN you entered and should not be automatically be used for other vehicles with similar symptoms.

Models:



(94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99 CHEVROLET C/K TRUCK) and ( 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN) and (94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99 CHEVROLET TAHOE) and (94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 00, 01, 02, 03 CHEVROLET EXPRESS) and (94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99 GMC YUKON) and ( 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99 GMC C/K TRUCK) and (94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 00, 01, 02, 03 GMC SAVANA) and (94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99 CHEVROLET/GMC P32/42) and (00, 01, 02, 03 CHEVROLET/GMC C/K 2500/3500 SERIES)



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There is more info out there, do a search...

Dirty Harry, are you talking about red fuel? I have a few customers of mine who are ranchers and filled my truck up with this. They said don't get pulled over by the Highway Patrol, because you will get a large ticket for it. I guess this is the non-road taxed fuel.

red fuel is fine if you run farm plates, at least in MI

In Louisiana if your running a truck that looks like a farm vehicle the DOT police has been known to pull you over and check your tank for red by using a clear hose, especially if you have an auxillary tank in the bed. Its happened to friends of mine.

here we are allowed to run colored fuel in ouer trucks with farm plats run it in all ouer trucks no problem

The fine isn't that bad, it is $10 per gallon, but that includes every gallon you have at home in a tank or a tank in your truck bed. Max of $10,000 fine. It's not illegal to have red in your tank in the bed of your truck. As long as its not in your trucks tank. The last I seen red fuel was .24 cheaper.

Hmmm.. First post, sounds like someone fishing for lawbreakers...

My old man has been running his 95 6.5 on Land O Lakes premium ruby red for as long as he's had it with no problems.... Its not legal to run red fuel in any pickup that travels on gravel or highway in Nebraska. DOT will check farmer's pickups while SITTING at a salebarn or other events....
Jason

Been running it for years in the max and never a problem or never pulled over knock on wood !

If you know it works off road my guess is you know it works on road. it's illegal to run red fuel on public roads and I believe EVERYONE allready knows that. That's why I or anybody else I know do not use it. PS what L8Apex said.

In Ohio, getting caught with red fuel in your tank is cause for a severe fine. It is a violation of tax laws. I know people who have gotten caught. Their fines were pretty hefty, I was thinking there was a straight fine plus extra according to how much you had in ur tank.

It may be different in other states, but I don't see how. Off road fuel is sold minus the road tax, so everything that is considered a road vehicle should be prohibited. We have a grain truck that has farm tags, but it's considered a road vehicle, therefore it gets clear fuel.

I'm purely speculating, but with fuel prices this high, law enforcement might be looking for this a little more.

I know lots of guys that run diesel trucks that never leave the farm and they use red in them, which is fine and perfectly legal as they aren't plated or anything. Shouldn't have to pay road tax when it's never on the road right? I know several guys that run red in their duramaxs and dodges. We don't because I just don't want to mess with getting in trouble, but if I had to use some to make it somewhere I suppose I would. It won't hurt the truck, just a matter of law and fines...

again depends where youer from its legal here on farm plates

be careful of the oil company and make sure you filter it

I've been checked in mn, The fines looked very expensive. I've heard the die will stay in your tank for a long time too. I was using on road diesel so no problem. When I got pulled over they were checking pickups only.

How about quality?

Cetane Rating?

Sulfer content?

All would be a guess if it's for off road/farm/home heating use.

According to the fuel suppliers around here, when they fill up the tanker it all comes from the same tank, just one line has a die injector in it. So it's all exactly the same fuel at least from this particular place.

I guess you guys don't have home heating oil out there. I would imagine that it has NO additives other than the dye.

I would also imagine that my home heating oil tank never gets 50 cetane Amoco Premium either.

Probably true, I never realized for a long time what "home heating oil" was. Out here most people use propane or natural gas.

F.Y.I. the I.R.S. has been checking construction sites in the houston area, Two of our jobsites have been hit, They check every diesel on the site.

They are doing that just about everywhere. The only way you can get away with running red dye diesel is if you have FARM TRUCK plates on...

HMMMMMMMMM! I have an '02 with 66,000 miles. The juice will be arriving on Tuesday and who knows what color the fuels gonna be then. WHAT"S MY NAME? Fines here are as follows: $30/gallon if found in vehicle's engine fuel cell, plus the prorated time the registered owner has had access to the fuel. IRS is the agency in charge of auditing and checking fuel cells.

Howdy, I'm new here and to diesels as well! I just bought an 03' Chevrolet 2500 reg cab, long bed for work on the farm. I've been trying to do some internet research to find out if there will be any problems with the Duramax if all she is fed is Off Road fuel that I use for my tractors. My search for an answer has led me here and I would appreciate any info you guys might have. Remember this is a farm truck that will only see about 1 mi of highway use between gates to the pastures.

Thanks,
HPD
No one gets it hum… H.ighway P.atrol D.epartment :D

or maybe High Plains Drifter

Yeah, and now a guy thats been registered for a year with only 12 posts named Red Fuel? If any of you guys are careless enough to run dyed fuel you should be careful, this one stinks.-:t

They are doing that just about everywhere. The only way you can get away with running red dye diesel is if you have FARM TRUCK plates on...

Does not matter if it has farm plates or not. If it is registered it's an on road vehicle according to J Law.

Now, if it is not registered and has no plate, inspection sticker etc you can burn whatever fuel you like as long as you are not on public roadways.

Blah, blah...

I was always under the impression that off road fuel had a higher sulpher content. But then again, sulpher is a lubricant so it's better... right? I don't know... but I do know that I can tell what fuel is being burned by the smell... off road stinks! Could be just the dye though. Tanker driver recently told me diesel, off road, and home heating were all the same except for the color. Any clarification would be much appreciated.

The disclaimers on our off road fuel say that its high sulfur content makes it non-usable as an on highway fuel. I don't know exactly why, but that's what it says. The only thing I know for sure sulfur does is cause acid rain.

sulfur containing fuel + O2 = CO2 + H2O +SO2

Then SO2 + O = SO3

Then SO3 + H2O = H2SO4 (Sulfuric Acid)

Then the Sulfuric Acid becomes too heavy and falls to the Earth as dillute Acid Rain.

I think the sulfur content is now the same for both. I've heard people say they have had companies fill both their farm fuel tank and then their road fuel tank with the same fuel and then just add dye to the farm fuel tank. Evan i guess Dustin got stopped with Sam the other day on 270 (Columbus,OH) and they were pulling over all diesels and dipping tanks. Watch out guys. Matt

There is high sulfur, low sulfur and ultra low sulfur fuels. High can only be used off-road and must be dyed. High sulfur, off-road is not taxed.

Sometimes low sulfur is also dyed if taxes aren't going to be paid. Then it is only OK off-road. That's why some places sell the same fuel dyed and undyed.


When ultra-low is rolled out, there will be a yellow dye as well.

love reading the 411 on the great red fuel debate! I posted a thread to the techs earlier today on this subject, and come to this conclusion. Im going to run it! Lets face it, this subject comes down to one thing THE LAW! The red fuel dosent hurt the trucks it hurts the state and federal revenues and I think we all pay enough of that. Every day in one form or another we all break the law, speeding, seat belts,turn signals, beer with boys etc. So I say this, if your worried about getting caught dont do it. If a little law breaking dosent bother you GOOD, save a little money, wave at the cops, and ask yourself what would Burt Reynolds and Jerry Reed do?

Homer8-You're gonna do what they say can't be done?

I need a blocker car!!!!

We've got a 01 dmax that runs red about 90% of the time. We've gone 150,000 miles so far with no issues at all. Just thought I'd through it out there.


J-HEFF

From what I have been reading about the ultra low sulfur fuel,It appears to me that due to the increased lubricty with the high surfur fuels, it would actually HELP extend :ro)injector life!:exactly:

Howdy, I'm new here and to diesels as well! I just bought an 03' Chevrolet 2500 reg cab, long bed for work on the farm. I've been trying to do some internet research to find out if there will be any problems with the Duramax if all she is fed is Off Road fuel that I use for my tractors. My search for an answer has led me here and I would appreciate any info you guys might have. Remember this is a farm truck that will only see about 1 mi of highway use between gates to the pastures.

Thanks,
HPDI don't know why you would want to use the red stuff. Here in Maryland I am paying 2.04 - 2.19 for home heating oil and I only pay 1.95 - 2.09 for Diesel fuel. My Home heating oil company can not explain why they charge more for the red stuff than over the road diesel with road tax, other than that is just our price.-:t

What a rip off.:blahblah:

I just add a gallon of Visine when I fill up....gets the RED out !!!! he he he

I've basically been forced to run red, haha. Had to pay 2.71 for diesel here in Northern Idaho a few days back. Can't wait to get back to the farm and run red, which is almost 2.00 a gallon now!!-:t

J-HEFF

According to the California Vehicle Code the only penalty for getting caught using Red Dye Tax exempt fuel is a fine. $10.00 per gallon.
I feel bad for those people in states that fine them 10k.

$10.00 per gallon.

Is that retroactive for every gallon you could have possibly put in it since new?

Yes. But again, IRS has to find it. High sulfur fuel in southern CA is crap, lots of emulsified water and sludge (it comes from the Paramount refinery) but any other epa red works just fine. I've been juiced since christmas with 72,000 miles and still no smoke, but I'm also using Valvetec Diesel Gaurd. Seems to work like it says.

I been told that regular diesel is the same as red except for the dye in it and i dont think thats correct. If i have red in the tank the truck smokes alllllot more with my attitude turned up and has a strong smell of exhaust and doesnt when i have reg diesel.

According to the California Vehicle Code the only penalty for getting caught using Red Dye Tax exempt fuel is a fine. $10.00 per gallon.
I feel bad for those people in states that fine them 10k.
10 a gallon yeah, but if you have a tank that's 1000 gallons of red in your yard...:eek:

I been told that regular diesel is the same as red except for the dye in it and i dont think thats correct. If i have red in the tank the truck smokes alllllot more with my attitude turned up and has a strong smell of exhaust and doesnt when i have reg diesel.
Depends where you are maybe, I know here that the red and the clear we get are exactly the same, they just turn on the die injector for the red... They come out of the same pipe from the same tank...

i would just like to pay the guy after he fills the farm tank $50 and tell him to keep that red die for the next guy. i too think it is the same here anyway.

i would just like to pay the guy after he fills the farm tank $50 and tell him to keep that red die for the next guy. i too think it is the same here anyway.
Wouldn't that negate the whole reason of running cheaper fuel?

They mix it at the racks....NOT at the point of delivery.

Guys running tax free fuel are probably the same guys complaining about pot-holes and poor roads. :muahaha:

Here in Maryland ('end of the line' of a pipeline from Texas) the Red fuel IS different. It contains up to 1500-ppm (parts per million) of sulfur. Road diesel only contains up to 500-ppm. The ULSD (Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel) is due to roll out in 2007. The off road diesel (or home heating oil) will then drop to 500-ppm (in 2007). Out of curiosity to this very question, I asked one of our "Quality Assurance" people, "What would high sulfur fuel do to my Duramax diesel truck?" His answer was "it would plug up the catalytic converter and could foul the injectors". He said this is only true if you happened to get a batch of fuel that was at the 1500-ppm threshold. Most of the red stuff we get is in the 900-ppm zone. Hope my 2 cents helps!

Wouldn't that negate the whole reason of running cheaper fuel?

They mix it at the racks....NOT at the point of delivery.

Guys running tax free fuel are probably the same guys complaining about pot-holes and poor roads. :muahaha:
Yeah, that's what I meant by the same tank, was the same tank that fills the tanker truck they haul it down here with. At the refinery in cheyenne. He said that they fill his compartment for on road first, then when they change to the other compartment for red they just turn on the die injector...

You can actually fill out extra paperwork and get all clear fuel. Then tell them you use so much in the tractors off road and so much on road and only pay the tax on the percent you say you use on road. I know several farmers that do that. But then of course the irs may pay attention to you more. We thought about doing that this year just because it would be easier to have everything the same... But didn't feel like doing the paperwork.

If your running "Red" in your truck, just remove your Duramax Diesel emblems, and they will think you have a gasser and leave you alonehttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/images/smilies/anitoof.gif

Why bother with red fuel? The fuel I run in my Kubotas and skid steers I just fill out a form and get the tax credited back to me when I do my taxes.