Does anyone know if GM has a bulletin on red fuel. A huge local discussion going on over it. I searched but cant find anything and thought maybe someone would know for sure and maybe what the bulletin number is if there is one.

Thanks,
Dan

The bulletin you need to worry about is the Feds & DOT saying thall shalt not run tax free off road fuel in a on road truck, fines are hefty if caught doing it.

It's done by many, without adverse operation, just make sure it's red Diesel;

Kero, jet A, JP-x fuels, & low grade heating oil all are also red, and may not have proper cetane or lubricity required for your truck.

3x dose of additive and no more than 50/50 mix with road rated Diesel is what I'd recommend if you "have to" run red and don't know what flavor of red you are putting in the tank

I recently had occassion to remove a fuel oil tank from our residential basement . We've been heating with natural gas for 40 years , and that's how long the 90 gallons of fuel oil were in the old tank. [Since i just put a new cat on my truck, i'd rather not run it in the truck].

I brought the fuel to a local lab to have a quick check for sediment and moisture content, the two most likely contaminants, according to advice received. The chemist involved said that he'd found at least one ASTM test which had the same specs for home heating red and over the road diesel EXCEPT for particulate content {the diesel demands finer filtration}.
Of course, that was just one test....

The fine round these parts is $1,000 plus $10/gallon for every gallon on the vehicle. My step brother got popped for running it. His 35gal truck tank was full and so was the 105gal "L" shaped tank in the bed. Even though the L tank wasn't hooked into the system they counted it for the fine, said "Every gallon on the vehicle." like 15 times.

Do the math, it's $2,400.

I bet he'd have to run about 70,000 miles on red to even come close to paying for that ticket. The cost difference round here is about $.50/gallon. Not worth it in my opinion.

my $.02

The fine round these parts is $1,000 plus $10/gallon for every gallon on the vehicle. My step brother got popped for running it. His 35gal truck tank was full and so was the 105gal "L" shaped tank in the bed. Even though the L tank wasn't hooked into the system they counted it for the fine, said "Every gallon on the vehicle." like 15 times.

Do the math, it's $2,400.

I bet he'd have to run about 70,000 miles on red to even come close to paying for that ticket. The cost difference round here is about $.50/gallon. Not worth it in my opinion.

my $.02

I that is the case, I would fight that. I have had 200 plus gallons of red in my truck hauling it to fuel tractors. I don't think you can be nailed for just hauling it.

I don't run it myself, I have a friend that is in the construction business that has an 03 dmax that has some construction equipment on it and never leaves a job site. He just replaced injectors at his own expense because he said GM won't warranty the engine because of off road fuel. I just thought that sounded crazy thats how the conversation started. I was wondering if they really did have a bulletin.

Dad has ran off road fuel in his '92 since the day he got it. In fact, his Duramax is running it, as well and will certainly never see anything otherwise. Off road fuel is on road fuel with red dye dumped into it. Period. Some will claim "lots more power" with red fuel, but unless the dye has power enhancing agents in it, that's just not so. What he's doing is 100% illegal.

In regards to legally running off road fuel in a truck over the road - it was 100% legal shortly after hurricane Katrina as long as the tax for the fuel was paid to the IRS. I'm very aware of this because we took fuel with us to Mobile, Alabama after the storm to help with clean-up, since we didn't know if there would even be fuel available there. Consequently, I've only put on about 250 miles since we've gotten back last fall, so I've still got over half a tank of red stuff. I'm carrying the IRS papers with me, though in case I would happen to be checked. They might have a hard time believing me, though, since that was many moons ago.;)

What bulletin are you looking for? If it can be done? Yes, it can be done. Is it legal? Not at all. No bulletin for that.

SnowDrift

I don't run it myself, I have a friend that is in the construction business that has an 03 dmax that has some construction equipment on it and never leaves a job site. He just replaced injectors at his own expense because he said GM won't warranty the engine because of off road fuel. I just thought that sounded crazy thats how the conversation started. I was wondering if they really did have a bulletin.

maybe one of the guys in the Duramax forums has something on this?

SnowDrift

About a month ago the DOT was stopping pickups and trucks on the highway, that changed my mind about trying it.

I don't have a copy but was told the dealers will honor a warranty if red fuel is found. Why not just change the fule and filter before warranty service, if you're concerned? The dye does make the filter pink so that is the reason I say to change that also.

We have several DMAX techs currently with GM on the forums maybe one will weigh in if a bulletin or warranty denial policy or can PM me and I'll post the info if they want to remain anonymous

There can be absolutely no logical reason to not warranty a diesel engine run on marked fuel. Farmers have been doing it for years. With farm plates you can run marked legally if the truck is used for your farm business and pleasure only.

Also think about all the excavators, cats & tractors that run on the stuff. If it was inferior fuel there would have been lawsuits we would have heard about. The cost of the equipment mention makes our trucks look cheap. My tractor has run on nothing but for over 12 years. (I also add 2 stroke oil and a fuel additive to increase lubricity). Purely a matter of the tax man worried about him not getting his pound of flesh and GM trying to weasel out of its warranty commitments. (i have some experience with that).