I am in the process of buying my first home and the main source of heat is a centralized oil burning frunace. I was talking to one of my buddies today and he said that the "oil" that is burned is really a form of diesel. He said that I can actually run the fuel in my truck and the only real difference is the sulfer count is much higher. I thought higher sulfer counts just made more smoke.

My question is how much of this is true? Would I need a better fuel filter then the one that I have in my truck (oem filter)? Around where I live diesel is up to $3.40 at some stations and any little help at the pump is welcome.

 

Don't do it, it is against the law. If you get caught the fine is $20k and then they turn your butt over to the IRS to collect back taxes for the road tax. The red dye in the heating oil is the problem. With your 5.9 you could do it, but it could plug a particulate filter or a catalitic coverter on a 6.7.

 

yes it is against the law all it has to do with is getting tax money by the road fuel and not as high of tax on heating fuel (red color ) when pulled over and a set up check stations for this your tank is dipped and if you have red fuel in you truck tank you will get a really big fine

 

Around here $3.40 is cheap most of it is going for $3.60.

 

Some companys do use the #2 or off road Diesel,mine does and to be honest it last longer,leat in ours it does,our furnace heats our water as well so it runs all year.

Your 07 will not like it if you use #2 in it.

Not sure were you live but if you got he room in the basement you might want to look into getting a coal fired furnace to save some money.

Make sure you get a fixed rate on that loan.

Pav

 

The furnace uses #2 fuel oil, which is usually the same as #2 off road diesel... which you can burn in your truck. BUT it is dyed red since you don't pay road taxes on it.

Running red fuel on the road is illegal

 

Thanks for all the advice. I think I will hold off on putting the fuel oil in my truck. I checked again this morning on the price of diesel and overnight it went up $.10 to $3.50.

Ya I was able to get a fixed 30.

As soon as the oil furnace goes out I am going to get rid of it or at least take it out of the middle of the living room and plumb forced air. I am thinking about switching to propane. I know it is not as efficient as oil but I love cooking on a gas range plus my BBQ will accept a hard line.

Another Question? Is there any way that someone could tell that you are running "red diesel" by just watching you druive down the road?

 

They're working on it.
I work in Ag research, another researcher here has a grant from the IRS to develop a mint oil based additive for off road diesel. Only takes a very small amount to make a very detectable scent from the side of the road when a tax cheating rig drives by.
Great results until recently when exhaust scrubbers became required on new engines. The scrubbers are very good at removing the mint scent.
Back to the drawing board...

Huge fines for running offroad fuel are nothing but internet legend. You aways hear it happened to a friend of a friend of a friend but never any first hand reports.
Every state has it's own penalties. Here in Montana it's a flat $100 for the first offence. A few states only charge for the avoided tax on one tank of fuel. Many states don't even bother checking for red fuel, it's been found to cost more than it generates. Fact is not that many people are cheating.

 

#2 fuel oil will not hurt your truck unless the supplier you use still has some of the old LSD or even OLDER #2 (Pre-LSD & ULSD) and you have a DPF. They are the same fuel save for the red dye if they even use the dye. (they usually don't up here.)

It is illegal though.

An oil fired furnace (or boiler) with hot water base board or radiant floor heat is very efficient and much easier to regulate than forced air. Not to metion it helps keep your house cleaner by not circulating dust through the air. Some of the new controls for them also greatly inmprove their efficiancy as well (programable thermostats, outside air sensors, digital ignition, etc.)

Also, if you have a problem with it it dosen't put an explosive gas in your home that could explode on you.

my .02