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The Rural Voice, 1983-05, Page 24IN THE NEWS NEW DYE IN FUEL The new dye D390 in coloured diesel fuel will not harm motor vehicles or equipment and is not the cause of farm equipment failure. This statement was emphasized by government representative Doug Don- nelly at Lubrication Night in Dundalk sponsored by Highland Fuels. Farmers were experiencing problems with clogged filters and poor engine performance, blaming the dye FOM50 which was added to clear fuel. The petroleum industry was not satisfied with the results of FOM50 Donnelly said, so effective March 10, 1983, the government changed the Ontario dye to D390 from FOM50. Improper dye colouring is illegal but Donnelly feels some may have found its way to fuel suppliers before the production and tighter control of D390, PG. 22 THE RURAL VOICE, MAY 1983 possibly contributing to engine prob- lems. It is not mandatory to purchase coloured fuel which has no tax, but a farmer buying clear fuel must pay the 9.3 cent per litre road tax. The old system with clear fuel was unregulatory and the government esti- mates lost tax revenue at $25 million annually. There has always been a road tax for motor vehicles using diesel fuel but many truckers have been purchasing stove oil instead, which was not taxed. Stove and furnace oil in varying combina- tions for winter and summer use make up diesel fuel. D390 has been added to stove and furnace oils used by home owners as well as to diesel fuel supplied to farmers. Introduction of the new dye means a truck driver caught with coloured fuel can be penalized for using untaxed fuel in a motorized vehicle. Donnelly estimates the new program will cost three million dollars, with no cost to the supplier. Highland Fuels owner, James Lesage, doesn't buy the 'no cost to supplier' story. The coloured fuel has meant double work for him with separate storage tanks required. Harry McKenzie, Shell Canada Techni- cal Representative, told farmers that they are watching up to 9.6 gallons of gaso- line disappear from their storage tanks per month. Evaporation is the thief, with losses greatest in a 300 gallon tank painted black and sitting in the sun. A light coloured tank with a sun shield and a two -pound pressure release valve will lose about 11/2 gallons through evapora- tion per month. McKenzie warned farmers not to get caught with a full tank of fuel in January and expect the same fuel performance from that tank in July. Petroleum companies change their fuel composition ten times during the year to suit the changing climate, so winter fuel may cause engine problems in summer, and visa versa. Mary Lou Weiser �II �Qj a� ��\11`11k`\\\\\\; I s. INSPECT CIEMICAL EQUIPMENT aaREFULLY BEFORE 1.45INO! �„^ rI ,� 111BEDIIAND. lilt "�7.. fi� c Ji .� ",cam ', �y� 7 tr IS IU, 1 - . �4 I . e. �� •y l i..l' NI :r _ _ V. ° �� � ,r _ T q�l1.lC ii, .► I !./ pt � 11 u , ° :ic'I,�r MiU l! *' n 1'''Al)41' , '1.,1.,)\11‘;"•/', '1 . ; �i *:',ii!' µ`'iow,ii `: .u,\% ,11'J a' 41 I, , .a` ,/� O,ry ( I . NAS .." -_ Sign on some hard-working help And front and rear carriers, plus a for your spread. The ATC200E (we also trailer hitch for easy hauling. So if you're call it Big Red! It'll dig into heavy looking for some help for the back chores and weekend fun with help from forty come in and its gutsy, reliable four- stroke engine. hire yourself a There's an electric start for easy starting. reliable hired hand. HONDAATC 200E EidetleeRougliCou CY-JO CYCLE 1190 Wallace Ave. N., Listowel 519-291-1556 PG. 22 THE RURAL VOICE, MAY 1983 possibly contributing to engine prob- lems. It is not mandatory to purchase coloured fuel which has no tax, but a farmer buying clear fuel must pay the 9.3 cent per litre road tax. The old system with clear fuel was unregulatory and the government esti- mates lost tax revenue at $25 million annually. There has always been a road tax for motor vehicles using diesel fuel but many truckers have been purchasing stove oil instead, which was not taxed. Stove and furnace oil in varying combina- tions for winter and summer use make up diesel fuel. D390 has been added to stove and furnace oils used by home owners as well as to diesel fuel supplied to farmers. Introduction of the new dye means a truck driver caught with coloured fuel can be penalized for using untaxed fuel in a motorized vehicle. Donnelly estimates the new program will cost three million dollars, with no cost to the supplier. Highland Fuels owner, James Lesage, doesn't buy the 'no cost to supplier' story. The coloured fuel has meant double work for him with separate storage tanks required. Harry McKenzie, Shell Canada Techni- cal Representative, told farmers that they are watching up to 9.6 gallons of gaso- line disappear from their storage tanks per month. Evaporation is the thief, with losses greatest in a 300 gallon tank painted black and sitting in the sun. A light coloured tank with a sun shield and a two -pound pressure release valve will lose about 11/2 gallons through evapora- tion per month. McKenzie warned farmers not to get caught with a full tank of fuel in January and expect the same fuel performance from that tank in July. Petroleum companies change their fuel composition ten times during the year to suit the changing climate, so winter fuel may cause engine problems in summer, and visa versa. Mary Lou Weiser �II �Qj a� ��\11`11k`\\\\\\; I s. INSPECT CIEMICAL EQUIPMENT aaREFULLY BEFORE 1.45INO!