Why Does....

[Bush Tucker Man]

'Red' diesel smell completely different from normal 'white' diesel?

Is it due to the chemical markers that are in it, the dye, or simply a smell added (like to household gas supplies) to simply give an immediate "Investigate Me!!" scent if the (illegal) user is stopped & dipped.


I've got a fuel can of it that I use to clean/lubricate the chains on my bikes* & just got to pondering that question.

Plus, even when only buying (it was about) 4 litres, I was asked why I wanted it & the reason wrote down in a sales register.
I didn't know they were that keen!!


*I used to use 'white' for this purpose, but had used it all up over the past few years (& too damned expensive)

[Lord Shagg-Pyle]

You'll probably find that it is the same dye that turns up in various foodstuffs!

[Bush Tucker Man]

You'll probably find that it is the same dye that turns up in various foodstuffs!

I wouldn't be surprised.

[ben_haynes]

the Emissions smell is Different compared to 'White', we run Fork lifts and Tractors on my mates farm

we buy 1000 litres a month of the stuff from the same company and we still get asked to give written Usage

dont know why

[Xtremeteam]

'Red' diesel smell completely different from normal 'white' diesel?

Is it due to the chemical markers that are in it, the dye, or simply a smell added (like to household gas supplies) to simply give an immediate "Investigate Me!!" scent if the (illegal) user is stopped & dipped.


I've got a fuel can of it that I use to clean/lubricate the chains on my bikes* & just got to pondering that question.

Plus, even when only buying (it was about) 4 litres, I was asked why I wanted it & the reason wrote down in a sales register.
I didn't know they were that keen!!


*I used to use 'white' for this purpose, but had used it all up over the past few years (& too damned expensive)

wooohoo some1 else that has noticed a smell difference
glad im not alone

[diggerdog36]

Never noticed it smells different, but unless you buy 100 litres or more in a single sale you do not need to justify your purchase, you can tell them to keep their nose out. I buy 50 litres a week and never been asked why?

[datalas]

the question is... does it taste any different ?  I always thought it was strawberry flavour ...

I'd ask Neil, but he's unlikely to have drunk diesel (only because it's diesel ;))

[muddysteve]

You'll probably find that it is the same dye that turns up in various foodstuffs!

i hope not as it contians a radio active isotope  :shock:

[S188]

I know when this super low sulphur white diesel came out, red diesel stuck to the more traditional formular though thats probubly changed now as someone will have tryed to ban the old sulphur levels, maybe its still unlimited for non road use though? I usupect low sulphur stuff is more expencive to make so they wont bother if they don't have to.

Don't they test the exhaust rather than the tank these days when looking for ilegal road use? That way they can easilly detect laundered diesel (red with dye removed) aswell as red.

[Thrasher]

Well.... the nose is certainly different, but a taste test shows that the red diesel has a little less of an oily taste ....  8)

[spyke_boi]

Well.... the nose is certainly different, but a taste test shows that the red diesel has a little less of an oily taste ....  8)

Wont ask how/why you know this

[Lord Shagg-Pyle]

You'll probably find that it is the same dye that turns up in various foodstuffs!

i hope not as it contians a radio active isotope  :shock:

There is nothing like a nice radio active isotope to perk up your chargrilled chicken products! yum yum!

[Priglet]

Don't they test the exhaust rather than the tank these days when looking for ilegal road use? That way they can easilly detect laundered diesel (red with dye removed) aswell as red.

When I've been out on vehicle checks it's the tank they look at, all they have to do is siphon some fuel out and if it looks red they've got you.

[beast5680]

red diesel does not have the same additives in that the white you get at the pumps has maybe thats the difference :?
dont get caught with it in your road car though HMCE will confiscate the vehicle and crush it :shock:
i know of one guy who had some diesel pinched from his tank ,they found the culprit and did just that :lol:  serves him right

[blackbob]

i got red derv from the local marina and they still asked what it was 4