Dmax owners

Shaners · March 9, 2002

I was told that the Dmax engine doesn't like "red" fuel. Appearantly a friend of a friend might have put some "red" fuel in his truck by "accident". This caused a "low sulfur content" warning light on his dash to illuminate...

Does the Dmax have an optic system that detects red fuel or how does this system work???

bluenote · March 10, 2002

I've never seen this indicator with my truck, and the owner's manual (including the diesel supplement) do not mention it. I'm pretty sure there is no such thing. The only thing I can see which may go off is the "water in fuel" warning if the fuel were bad. One other thought...if your friends' friend "accidently" does this again and gets his fuel checked (probably not very likely), he would face very stiff fines. They do this since there are no road taxes collected on off-road fuel, and I've heard that it takes several more tanks of regular diesel to flush the red dye out of the fuel lines.

Shumdit · March 10, 2002

Your friend is obviously lying to you because off road diesel is HIGH sulfur, not low as he described in the warnng light. I have been told by some others in a different forum that they have run the red fuel with no warning lights. I can tell you that the fines are very severe in my neck of the woods if you are caught on a public road running red fuel. From what I understand, they can actually charge you taxes for estimated fuel used on every mile you have put on the truck since you bought it, plus a hefty fine. In that case, one tank of red fuel on a high mileage truck could cost you tons o' cash.

odoh · March 10, 2002

In CA, low sulfur is mandated by the CARB for use in our vehicles. If your friend is correct, the lights would be on all the time? ~ odoh

SoMnDMAX · March 10, 2002

No such light......

But, make sure he avoids using the off road fuel. Two reasons- one, the fine for road tax evasion, and second, possible injector or injection pump related problems.

Jpshostr · March 10, 2002

Anymore these days there is no difference at all in either clear or red diesels, just the color. Sulphur content is the same either way. At one time they were two different mixes, but no more. People may say that dye causes injector problems and whatnot, but to this point it hasn't been proven, and this red stuff has been burned for years. I'm thinking if this light (does it exist? never heard of one) is showing up it is some sort of glitch somewhere.

That said, very special care should be taken to avoid such an "accident" from now on by your friend. Stiff fine no questions asked, plus the IRS holds the option of coming back and collecting road tax on every gallon of fuel you've purchased in the previous year I think it is, no matter if it was in a tractor or backhoe or whatnot. That stuff sticks in filters and fuel lines like you won't believe. One gallon of red diesel will still show traces after 5-6 full tanks have been burned in a SEMI, let alone a pickup truck.

Shaners · March 11, 2002

I didn't think there was a difference between the 2 fuels except for the dye. I know the fines in PA are very severe, and anyone who does this would be crazy.

I don't know exactly what he was talking about and this was at the least 3rd hand info by the time I got it. So... at the very least the story was changed by the time I heard it!!!

I have nevr heard of anyone mentioning such a thing so I thought I'd ask.

Thanks

Stepside Z · March 11, 2002

Sounds like B.S. to me. Don't get caught in the red. If you do it will be because of the long arm of the law not because of a dash indicator light.

regcab02HD · March 11, 2002

Yep, if your caught running red diesel in a non-farm vehicle you will be looking at some pretty hefty fines. About 6 years ago a dairy got caught with diesel in some of their fuel tanks on their trucks. The fine was $5000 a tank. I believe they had to pay $15000 in fines.

CMNTMXR81 · March 11, 2002

I was told that the Dmax engine doesn't like "red" fuel. Appearantly a friend of a friend might have put some "red" fuel in his truck by "accident". This caused a "low sulfur content" warning light on his dash to illuminate...

Does the Dmax have an optic system that detects red fuel or how does this system work???

It was probably picked up by an O2 sensor or something downstream that noted an excepetionally low sulpher count.

The only optical thing that GM has employed in the past few years was the Opti-spark, err, Opti-crap on LT1 engines.

JEBar · March 17, 2002

As with the others above, I have never noticed, nor can I find in literature, any sensor to tell the difference. I can tell you that when I burn off road diesel in my tractor you can really smell it (sulphur)..... can only assume the same would be if it were run in my truck. Can tell no difference in performance when run in the tractor but usually spring for the more expensive on-road diesel due to the smell of the other. Have heard of numerous farmers in this area who burn it in their trucks but don't know any personally and don't have the nerve to try it myself!?!

BDBWTE · April 30, 2002

I've run NO.2 diesel in a Duramax and the truck ran fine. The truck actually accelerated better. Our head diesel mechanic says it actually helps to clean the injectors and un-gum the motor. DO NOT let anyone stick your tank if you are running off-road diesel because you will get in deep trouble for running off-road diesel in a road truck.