I've always wondered about this, and since I see so many posts regarding the current oil situation, I'm sure I'll find some experts - or pointers to experts - on here.

Most people say that #2 fuel is the same as diesel (except for the red dye). But others swear it will cause problems.

Any guesses? Thanks in advance ..

Lou

-- lou (lanny1@ix.netcom.com), January 20, 2000

Answers

Lou

Can't speak for how they do things all over the U.S., but I once worked at a gas station here in eastern NC. They had one underground tank for diesel fuel, with two pumps feeding off of it.

One pump was diesel for regular on-road consumer use (tax-paid); the other was #2 fuel oil for off-road farm use (non-tax-paid). Same stuff, from the same underground tank. Used to catch people putting the cheaper #2 in their diesel automobiles, even. (Illegal, of course.)

-- Chicken Little (panic@forthebirds.net), January 20, 2000.

Same stuff. They don't even differentiate between the two on the refinery or pipeline level.

-- Downstreamer (downstream@bigfoot.com), January 20, 2000.

#1 diesel fuel is lighter than #2. the mileage is less with #1 fuel than #2, however #1 fuel is better for cold weather. if it is below 0 degrees farenheit the #2 gels up or gets too thick. you may not be able to start your vehicle because it will be too thick to flow. above zero #1 is fine. the red dye is added to #2 fuel that is for off road use, such as for farming. you get a cheaper rate for it due to not having to pay all the taxes.

i question that the fuel to both pumps would have come from the same tank unless there was some other way to add the red dye, such as through the pump. i don't know if this is ever done. perhaps someone out there does. #2 fuel whether on road or off road, red dye or not, is the same and is fine in diesel engines as long as it is not too cold as stated above. it is not legal to use the off road diesel (#2 with red dye) for onroad use as taxes apply to the onroad fuel which is the reason for the price difference at the pumps. some stations carry #1 and #2. some may switch from #2 to #1 when the weather is cold. heating fuel that is used in oil furnaces is #2 generally (the red off road stuff), however if your furnace fuel tank is outside and it is cold you may need to use #1 or part #1 so it wouldn't get too stiff. in this case you should qualify to not pay the taxes since it is for heating use but you would probably need to specifically talk to the dealer to have them knock off the taxes as generally #1 is not used for heating. most people have their fuel oil tanks inside the basement or somehow protected so doesn't get too cold for it.

hope that helps. :)

-- boop (livingonafarm@northdakota.com), January 20, 2000.

Here in Oregon, the fine for using off-road diesel for personal vehicles is/was $17,000.00. Former employer got caught at it. OUCH!!

That spanking still didn't keep him from sneakin' a bit now and then though, which mindset lead to becoming a *former* employer. Let's see $17,000 / $1.35 = 12,592 gals X 21 mpg = 264,444 miles in fines! Yep, former is the right word for it. Quantities may vary, but not that much.

So the answer to your question is yes, but the need must out weigh the consequences. Which may be entirely valid. IMHO

Respectfully

Michael

-- Michael (mikeymac@uswest.net), January 20, 2000.

Heating oil and diesel fuel are the same *except* that heating oil generally doesn't have a thinning agent added during the winter to keep it from gelling, as noted by the poster above. In NC that probably is not a concern, but up here in northern New England (another below-zero morning today, BTW, fourth or fifth in a row) it becomes a serious matter.

Incidentally, I got a fill-up on my oil tank yesterday, 1-19, and was billed $1.14!!!! That's the highest price I have ever seen for fuel oil up here. Glad I got in two cords of dry oak last fall. The wood stove is getting a workout this month.

-- Cash (cash@andcarry.com), January 20, 2000.

I got 250 gals #1 disel for "good times"; 250 gals #2 for "bad times".

>"<

-- Squirrel Hunter (nutsw@upina.mizzenmast), January 20, 2000.

I understand that if you mix #2 fuel oil (3 parts) to #1 Kerosene (2 parts) (60/40) you get a pretty good all around diesel fuel. Use it in your tractor or gennie. I decided to simply buy Fuel that had been taxed so I would not run the chance of being fined because I also have a diesel truck. The difference in cost was big but the difference in hassle would be huge!

-- ..- (dit@dot.dash), January 20, 2000.

thanks everyone. i was just wondering, have heard so much about it.

-- lou (lanny1@ix.netcom.com), January 20, 2000.

Just thought I would add to this conversation. #2 fuel for heating and diesel fuel are interchangeable, but actual diesel fuel of the brand varieties have additives to prolong the life of injectors and injection pumps, which do add somewhat to the price of the fuel.

-- Wayne (waylmarrp@webtv.net), January 20, 2000.