Cheap mixed fuel - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

rcounts · #1 08-08-2008, 02:11 AM

I've got a chance to get somewhere between 100 and 150 gallons of mostly biodiesel mixed fuel for around $2 a gallon. Only one catch. It was put into a home heating oil tank that had some red-dyed offroad diesel (furnace fuel) still in the tank.

It doesn't have that really red ATF-looking color to it like straight off-road diesel. It only has a reddish-brown tint to it - about as dark as regular LEADED gas used to look (for those of you - like me - who are old enough to remember what leaded gas looked like). I'm guessing it had around 10%-20% red-dyed diesel left in the tank when it was refilled with biodiesel.

So, since I just picked up 3 of those 275 gallon plastic totes (the kind inside a steel cage made out of 3/16" wire) and a 12 volt transfer pump, I'm thinking of buying it off the guy.

If I buy it I figure I'll be pretty safe running it in my Mercedes, but I'm a little more concerned about running it in my truck. I mean, who's ever even heard of a Mercedes getting it's tank "dipped"? Since I'm getting ready to make a 2200 mile trip, to Moab hauling my camper and towing my Jeep, I'd love to figure out a way to take it with me, but I'm afraid that with my luck, I'd end up encountering a roadblock where they're dipping truck tanks.

I'm wondering, if for the stuff I burn in the truck, if I put some green t-stroke oil - or maybe some filtered WMO into it, will that "disguise" the red coloring? I obvioulsy can't afford to get nailed for burning dyed fuel.

Any thoughts?

bgkast · #2 08-08-2008, 02:16 AM

I would stick to the Benz. Even if you cover up the dye, they can still chemically test for it. You could also just pay the road tax on the fuel. It is something like $0.32/gal

rcounts · #3 08-08-2008, 02:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bgkast

...You could also just pay the road tax on the fuel. It is something like $0.32/gal

LOL! Who do you pay it to, and how do you go about paying it?

yellit · #4 08-08-2008, 02:31 AM

Knew some folks here that were using a small amount of off road in a mostly farm use truck......$25,000 fine....They were not habitual cheaters.... just got low on #2 diesel and got popped while waiting on the bulk tank refill.......terrible fine for a little bit of use.....that $$$$ would buy a lot of even $5/gallon diesel.....just not worth the miniscule savings.........(no amount of off road fuel allowed)...they love to fine people and have no mercy at all....I heard they were popping people down here after Katrina knowing that was the only diesel available so it was easy pickings....legal pirates....punishing hurricane victims and patting themselves on the back for a job well done...

#5 08-08-2008, 06:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rcounts

LOL! Who do you pay it to, and how do you go about paying it?

Contact a state/city IRS agent and they can find the forms needed or at least point to who you need to contact.

rcounts · #6 08-09-2008, 01:54 AM

Well, I got the fuel home tonight. It is a little redder in bulk than it looked in a sample jar.

The fuel that came out of the underground tank was a little bit dirty so my jeans-leg sock filter ended up being a good idea - it caught a fair amount of rusty looking powder. I'm definitely going to have to filter it really well before putting it into my fuel tank.

The fact that it was a little dirty enabled me to talk the seller down on price - ended up getting 160 gallons for $250 - $1.56 a gallon. Not bad...