Discussion
andytk said:
Anyone here actually had a diesel car checked by C & E? (another eversohelpful government dept)
Is there any tell tale sign from outside the car (ie. the exhaust smell or anything)
Andy
..people running their car on cooking oil have been caught cos they smell like a chippie...
eliot said:
Ive 'heard' (bar talk) that there are chemical markers in it, so even if you just put a couple of gallons in your tank, they can still tell if they dip your tank several weeks after it was put in (and consumed)
You could always simply purchase yourself a JCB FastTrack, good for 50MPH, never any parking problems and strangly everyone pulls over and lets you through.
Eliot.
>> Edited by eliot on Wednesday 6th October 20:49
A JCB Fastrack Wouldn't be a good idea unless you hold an HGV licence. They are soon to be re-categorised. They are currently an Agricultural vehicle and be run on Red Diesel. But because they can be driven on motorways AND pull 100tonnes they are to be re-categorised as a Class 1 Vehicle.
And remember, Red Diesel can only be used in farm vehicles as long as it doesn't travel more than 4 miles away from its home farm on public roads
Dipping operations over here are done, but I wouldnt they are say commmon place. You would go for months, with nothing, then they would carry out operations in a certain area for a few days.
They seem to be at regular locations, although not always.
They tend to go for commercial operators more so that private motorists.
I know of people who have been using it for years, and never had problems.
Seems to be first timers are given a £500 on the spot.
They seem to be at regular locations, although not always.
They tend to go for commercial operators more so that private motorists.
I know of people who have been using it for years, and never had problems.
Seems to be first timers are given a £500 on the spot.
Haven`t been dipped myself, but have picked up loads of cars/vans from C&E operations. In some cases C&E watch garages selling red on the pumps, regular visitors with jerrycans get a visit. In many cases owners have got their vehicles back after paying the tax - which C&E asess (no arguements).
We once had seven tractor units from the same company impounded. Owner couldn`t pay so trucks went to auction. Owner ceased trading
Steve
We once had seven tractor units from the same company impounded. Owner couldn`t pay so trucks went to auction. Owner ceased trading
Steve
They do treat people who use red, harsher than murderers.
Basically, anyone who tries to 'defraud' the government from duty will get totally shafted if they get you.
Of course, they can shaft us all they like, and we can do nothing.
If they werent robbing us so much with fuel duty, then Im sure much less people would attempt to use alternative fuels.
Basically, anyone who tries to 'defraud' the government from duty will get totally shafted if they get you.
Of course, they can shaft us all they like, and we can do nothing.
If they werent robbing us so much with fuel duty, then Im sure much less people would attempt to use alternative fuels.
crankedup said:
Red Derv in car = lose car
Brought in to much booze from France = lose car
Too many fags = lose car
Park in wrong place = lose car
Can't think of anymore but I guess there may be plenty. Anyhow, if you have an old banger to get rid of you know what to do
Forget to fill in a SORN application= lose car
chimburt said:
ok, so what is reasonable to use in a deisel, day to day, which won't completely kill the engine and won't require major sugery?
just, you know, for the sake of argument....
50/50 Diesel/veggie oil mix should work fine unless you're in a really cold area - even then a block heater from the likes of kenlowe (no affiliation) will solve any cold starting problems...
chimburt said:
ok, so what is reasonable to use in a deisel, day to day, which won't completely kill the engine and won't require major sugery?
just, you know, for the sake of argument....
Given that most stuff that has no duty paid on it will be illegal anyway. I'd use what I know is safe for my car. Red.
Hypothetically of course......
ian8542 said:
Red Derv in car = lose car
Brought in to much booze from France = lose car
Too many fags = lose car
Park in wrong place = lose car
Can't think of anymore but I guess there may be plenty. Anyhow, if you have an old banger to get rid of you know what to do
Forget to fill in a SORN application= lose car
Really? 'Cos I've got a heap of cr@p on SORN that I nede to get rid of
REGARDS USAGE OF RED DIESEL.
TECHNICALLY RED DIESEL IS REFINED EXACTLY THE SAME AS NORMAL DIESEL, AND SOME TIMES IT IS ONLY WHEN IT COMES IN TO PORT THAT THEY DECIDE TO ADD THE DYE SO THAT IT CAN ONLY BE USED IN AGRICULTURAL AND MARINE APPLICATIONS. THERE ARE SOME THINGS TO NOTE HOWEVER.
1. THE DIESEL IS NOT ONLY MARKED WITH A DYE TO MAKE IT VISABLY DIFFERENT ( YES i KNOW THAT THIS CAN BE REMOVED), BUT IT IS ALSO RADIOACTIVE WITH AN ISOTOPE.
THIS MEANS THAT SHOULD CUSTOMS AND EXCISE TEST ENGINE PARTS ETC THEY CAN WORK OUT IF AND ROUGHLY WHEN THE VEHICLE HAS RUN ON RED. AND AS THE DYE CAN BE REMOVED, WATCH OUT FOR THE GEEZER AT THE PUB OFFERING TO SELL YOU SOME CHEAP DIESEL. AS IT IS PROBABLY RED IN ORIGIN.
2. IN MY EXPERIENCE OF USING RED FOR DIESEL GENERATORS AND PLANT, IF YOU LOOK IN THE BOTTOM OF BRAND NEW 25 LITRE TUBS AFTER DRAINING THEM OF RED DIESEL YOU WILL FIND QUITE A LOT OF CRAP AND SEDIMENT. PUT THIS IN A TRACTOR AND YOU WOULD NOT NOTICE, HOWEVER PUT IT IN YOUR SHINY NEW AND THIRSTY LAND ROVER TD5 AND IT COULD VERY WELL GET PAST YOUR FUEL FILTER AND DAMAGE YOUR VERY EXPENSIVE ELECTIC FUEL PUMP ON ITS WAY TO TOTALLY SCREW UP YOUR HIGH PRESSURE GEOMETRIC DIESEL INJECTORS, AND LOW AND BEHOLD THE £30 YOU SAVED ON A tank of diesel JUST COST YOU £3000. OOOPS.
YOU JUST DO NOT GET THAT KIND OF CRAP FROM FILLING UP WITH DIESEL AT YOUR LOCAL 24HR SERVICES.
TECHNICALLY RED DIESEL IS REFINED EXACTLY THE SAME AS NORMAL DIESEL, AND SOME TIMES IT IS ONLY WHEN IT COMES IN TO PORT THAT THEY DECIDE TO ADD THE DYE SO THAT IT CAN ONLY BE USED IN AGRICULTURAL AND MARINE APPLICATIONS. THERE ARE SOME THINGS TO NOTE HOWEVER.
1. THE DIESEL IS NOT ONLY MARKED WITH A DYE TO MAKE IT VISABLY DIFFERENT ( YES i KNOW THAT THIS CAN BE REMOVED), BUT IT IS ALSO RADIOACTIVE WITH AN ISOTOPE.
THIS MEANS THAT SHOULD CUSTOMS AND EXCISE TEST ENGINE PARTS ETC THEY CAN WORK OUT IF AND ROUGHLY WHEN THE VEHICLE HAS RUN ON RED. AND AS THE DYE CAN BE REMOVED, WATCH OUT FOR THE GEEZER AT THE PUB OFFERING TO SELL YOU SOME CHEAP DIESEL. AS IT IS PROBABLY RED IN ORIGIN.
2. IN MY EXPERIENCE OF USING RED FOR DIESEL GENERATORS AND PLANT, IF YOU LOOK IN THE BOTTOM OF BRAND NEW 25 LITRE TUBS AFTER DRAINING THEM OF RED DIESEL YOU WILL FIND QUITE A LOT OF CRAP AND SEDIMENT. PUT THIS IN A TRACTOR AND YOU WOULD NOT NOTICE, HOWEVER PUT IT IN YOUR SHINY NEW AND THIRSTY LAND ROVER TD5 AND IT COULD VERY WELL GET PAST YOUR FUEL FILTER AND DAMAGE YOUR VERY EXPENSIVE ELECTIC FUEL PUMP ON ITS WAY TO TOTALLY SCREW UP YOUR HIGH PRESSURE GEOMETRIC DIESEL INJECTORS, AND LOW AND BEHOLD THE £30 YOU SAVED ON A tank of diesel JUST COST YOU £3000. OOOPS.
YOU JUST DO NOT GET THAT KIND OF CRAP FROM FILLING UP WITH DIESEL AT YOUR LOCAL 24HR SERVICES.
The dirt in red will only come from dirty containers.
Why do you think a tractor running on red, which probably cost in excess of £50k or a JCB perhaps costing more wouldnt mind the dirt, when a car engine would ??
Both have filters for the same reason. Except diesel plant that use red are slightly more expensive than cars.
Buying red almost gaurantees one thing. The fuel has not been tampered with. That makes it totally safe from a long term usage point of view, although does disregard the legalities.
Buying white or clear ??? Well, certainly over here..you could be buying absolutely anything really.
As for the radioactive bit.....possible I guess, but I highly doubt it. Even in minute quantities, exposing people who handle the fuel, would make that a very reckless act on behalf of the government.
Why do you think a tractor running on red, which probably cost in excess of £50k or a JCB perhaps costing more wouldnt mind the dirt, when a car engine would ??
Both have filters for the same reason. Except diesel plant that use red are slightly more expensive than cars.
Buying red almost gaurantees one thing. The fuel has not been tampered with. That makes it totally safe from a long term usage point of view, although does disregard the legalities.
Buying white or clear ??? Well, certainly over here..you could be buying absolutely anything really.
As for the radioactive bit.....possible I guess, but I highly doubt it. Even in minute quantities, exposing people who handle the fuel, would make that a very reckless act on behalf of the government.
stevieturbo said:
As for the radioactive bit.....possible I guess, but I highly doubt it. Even in minute quantities, exposing people who handle the fuel, would make that a very reckless act on behalf of the government.
A radioactive isotope isn't neccessarily harmful to people - for example your body is contains lots of the radioactive isotope of carbon, carbon 13 (how carbon dating works - it's based on the decay over time of carbon 13), and smoke alarms contain radioactive americium IIRC. As they're just low activity alpha emitters they're pretty much totally harmless, but they still enable tracking.
Not that I'm convinced about any meaningful (i.e. measurable in a praticl way) amount getting deposited by red diesel on the inner workings of an engine though...
While not quite on the topic of red diesel, this months Car Mechanics has an article on teh use of veggy oil, and how it is prepared for use in car engines.
Seems there is quite a draw out process in making bio-diesel, but it does say how you can do it yourself.
It mostly boils down to cleaning the fuel, removing any water deposits, and thinning it.
It does suggest a bigger filter, and larger fuel lines, as it does have a tendency to gather fat deposits over time.
Seems there is quite a draw out process in making bio-diesel, but it does say how you can do it yourself.
It mostly boils down to cleaning the fuel, removing any water deposits, and thinning it.
It does suggest a bigger filter, and larger fuel lines, as it does have a tendency to gather fat deposits over time.
Gassing Station | Engines & Drivetrain | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff