From owner-diesel-benz-digest-at-digest.net Wed Aug 6 13:04:36 2008 From: diesel-benz-digest diesel-benz-digest Wednesday, August 6 2008 Volume 01 : Number 2835 Forum for Discussion of Diesel Mercedes Benz Automobiles Derick Amburgey Digest Coordinator Contents: Re: [db] Fuel Prices Re: [db] fleet reduction [db] the process of elimination... Re: [db] fleet reduction [db] fuel taxes and Diesel (washington state) Diesel Benz Digest Home Page: http://www.digest.net/diesel-benz/ Send submissions to diesel-benz-digest-at-digest.net Send administrative requests to diesel-benz-digest-request-at-digest.net To unsubscribe, include the word unsubscribe by itself in the body of the message, unless you are sending the request from a different address than the one that appears on the list. Include the word help in a message to stag-digest-request to get a list of other majordomo commands. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Tue, 5 Aug 2008 14:44:50 -0700 (PDT) From: john Subject: Re: [db] Fuel Prices Diesel is "down" to 4.79 in some places... the speculators must have figured they pushed things to the limit and were ready to face a lynch mob or something... :) Gas is still about $4.09 or so... I'm pretty sure WA state has an extra .50 tax on Diesel... I could be wrong... john ----- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Snohomish, Washington -o|||||o- where Jeeps don't rust, they mold http://wagoneers.com john's 6.2L GW: http://wagoneers.com/FSJ/Omega/ SAVE FUEL use AMSOIL Synthetics: http://wagoneers.com/AMSOIL - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- On Tue, 5 Aug 2008, Jim Hoffman wrote: # Just paid $4.299 yesterday for diesel! # # That's down about $.40 in the past two weeks. It's # weird. I think regular has actually gone up a bit # in that same time period. # # Jim # ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 5 Aug 2008 14:59:35 -0700 (PDT) From: john Subject: Re: [db] fleet reduction I am struggling with the concept too... :) my wife may have opened up the idea of just living with insurance on three vehicles, so long as I'm driving on bioDiesel and keep up my intake of WVO to keep it coming I can drive anything I want, as long as I'm not spending money on fuel... :) The Blazer is ok... but I'm just not excited about it... for in town I'd rather deal with the vibration of Omega... I'm really struggling with this whole thing. ;) I don't want to part with the WJ or the Benz... but my entire family and future son-in-law all agree that Omega is the worst of the lot... they all vote for the Blazer over Omega... Omega has a number of issues that make the Blazer a better mule... main thing is the tailgate... the rear window works ok, but you have to roll it down and then there is this massive tailgate that's about three feet long and weighs as much as a Geo Metro... of course with 6" of lift and me being a mere 5'7" getting anything out of the back requires acrobatics or a step ladder. :) But, I can just shuffle stuff in and out of the back doors... As far as the project, no, it won't be in pieces for 25 years. I don't run my projects like that... my projects are rolling projects... hence the plan to run a Benz TD in 2wd... will have the J10 operational within a month of weekends... I don't operate the way my friend does... I don't put things off. Either I do it, or I liquidate it... as far as the hybrid, technically it won't be a true hybrid, rather it'll be a dual powered vehicle... phase one, Benz power to the rear wheels, phase two, electric motor on the front axle, phase three, integration of both power sources, etc. As far as the vibration on Omega, it's not horrible, but it's not good either, the motor mounts are the same kind used on a '57 Chevy, not designed for a Diesel... using the Novak Adapter was a short cut that I wouldn't have taken... I've always tried to use OEM style mounts when doing these conversions... the Buick 3.8L V6 stuffed in that chevy luv worked well, did have to "adjust" the firewall a bit with an 8lb adjustment tool though... ;) used factory holes in the frame on the '67 Wagoneer when I moved the engine over there... my philosophy is to use as much as what is already there as possible... I will move an engine forward or back in order to avoid messing with the trnasfer case location to keep the drivelines the same... anyway, this popcorn adventure isn't over yet... the WJ and Omega are for sale, and I may put the Blazer up as well... whichever sells first solves the problem and makes up my mind. ;) No matter which way it goes we come out fine... ...and yes, I wish you had the money to rescue Omega as well... would be nice to keep it among friends and/or family. :) john ----- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Snohomish, Washington -o|||||o- where Jeeps don't rust, they mold http://wagoneers.com john's 6.2L GW: http://wagoneers.com/FSJ/Omega/ SAVE FUEL use AMSOIL Synthetics: http://wagoneers.com/AMSOIL - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- On Tue, 5 Aug 2008, jasonbassett-at-juno.com wrote: # You've really lost it. I can't believe that you're selling Omega. # # And that hybrid idea is interesting, but it'll still be in pieces in 25 years, # at the rate your previous projects have gone. It will be VERY difficult, # particularly getting them coordinated. Toyota had a time with it; computers # locking up on the road, total system quittage, yuck. # # And if you can't be happy with Omega, you'll never be happy with any # mongrelized vehicle, and had better just stick with OTC stuff. Omega really # was cool, and wind noise is........kinda irrelevant on a vehicle like that. # It's a brick, you expect it. And vibration? It's diesel; that's why we love # them. # # I dunno about you..........I do wish I had enough mOOlah to take the big O off # your hands......I can love him, wind and all! # # J # # -- john wrote: # selling two of our Jeeps: # # 1999 Grand Cherokee with 4.7L V8 - 21 mpg freeway # http://seattle.craigslist.org/sno/car/782831274.html # everything works perfectly... # http://wagoneers.com/fotos/johns-cars/99WJ/ # # 1991 Grand Wagoneer with 6.2L Diesel - 23+ mpg freeway # http://seattle.craigslist.org/sno/car/774209972.html # only thing not working is the cruise control... # http://wagoneers.com/fotos/johns-cars/91SJ/ # # # and, I'm looking for a Mercedes Turbo Diesel and Automatic transmission... # planning a Diesel Hybrid for SuperDawg... :) # yet another Frankenstein project from the Snohomish Monster carport... # # ----- # john # -------------- # '94 Chevy Blazer 6.5L TD # http://wagoneers.com/fotos/johns-cars/94-K1500/ # '75 J10 hydraulic dump trailer # '91 300D 2.5L TD # -------------- # '83 J10 stepside with no drivetrain # '67 J100 Panel (son's graduation present) # -------------- # '47 Bantam T3-C trailer (for sale) # '99 WJ for sale / '91 Grand Wag for sale # # ------------------------------------------------------------------------- # Snohomish, Washington -o|||||o- where Jeeps don't rust, they mold # http://wagoneers.com john's 6.2L GW: http://wagoneers.com/FSJ/Omega/ # SAVE FUEL use AMSOIL Synthetics: http://wagoneers.com/AMSOIL # ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 5 Aug 2008 16:31:59 -0700 (PDT) From: john Subject: [db] the process of elimination... since I can't seem to make up my mind... whatever sells first... :) 1991 Grand Wagoneer: http://seattle.craigslist.org/sno/cto/784532791.html 1994 Blazer: http://seattle.craigslist.org/sno/cto/784571610.html 1999 Grand Cherokee: http://seattle.craigslist.org/sno/car/782831274.html 1947 Bantam T3-C: http://seattle.craigslist.org/sno/cto/784589248.html I even have XJ parts listed: http://seattle.craigslist.org/sno/pts/784529393.html the '91 300D, the '75 J10 trailer and of course the inoperative '83 J10 stepside aren't listed... :) john http://wagoneers.com/johns-vehicles.html ----- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Snohomish, Washington -o|||||o- where Jeeps don't rust, they mold http://wagoneers.com john's 6.2L GW: http://wagoneers.com/FSJ/Omega/ SAVE FUEL use AMSOIL Synthetics: http://wagoneers.com/AMSOIL - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 6 Aug 2008 08:07:55 -0700 (PDT) From: Jim Hoffman Subject: Re: [db] fleet reduction Just go back to the guy who was interested in the Blazer and sell it already! ;) Jim - --- john wrote: > I am struggling with the concept too... :) > > my wife may have opened up the idea of just living > with insurance on three vehicles, > so long as I'm driving on bioDiesel and keep up my > intake of WVO to keep it coming > I can drive anything I want, as long as I'm not > spending money on fuel... :) > > The Blazer is ok... but I'm just not excited about > it... for in town I'd rather > deal with the vibration of Omega... I'm really > struggling with this whole thing. ;) > > I don't want to part with the WJ or the Benz... but > my entire family and future > son-in-law all agree that Omega is the worst of the > lot... they all vote for > the Blazer over Omega... Omega has a number of > issues that make the Blazer > a better mule... main thing is the tailgate... the > rear window works ok, but > you have to roll it down and then there is this > massive tailgate that's about > three feet long and weighs as much as a Geo Metro... > of course with 6" of lift > and me being a mere 5'7" getting anything out of the > back requires acrobatics > or a step ladder. :) But, I can just shuffle stuff > in and out of the back > doors... > > As far as the project, no, it won't be in pieces for > 25 years. I don't run > my projects like that... my projects are rolling > projects... hence the plan > to run a Benz TD in 2wd... will have the J10 > operational within a month of > weekends... I don't operate the way my friend > does... I don't put things off. > Either I do it, or I liquidate it... > > as far as the hybrid, technically it won't be a true > hybrid, rather it'll > be a dual powered vehicle... phase one, Benz power > to the rear wheels, > phase two, electric motor on the front axle, phase > three, integration of > both power sources, etc. > > As far as the vibration on Omega, it's not horrible, > but it's not good > either, the motor mounts are the same kind used on a > '57 Chevy, not > designed for a Diesel... using the Novak Adapter > was a short cut that > I wouldn't have taken... I've always tried to use > OEM style mounts when > doing these conversions... the Buick 3.8L V6 > stuffed in that chevy luv > worked well, did have to "adjust" the firewall a bit > with an 8lb adjustment > tool though... ;) used factory holes in the frame > on the '67 Wagoneer when > I moved the engine over there... my philosophy is > to use as much as > what is already there as possible... I will move an > engine forward or back > in order to avoid messing with the trnasfer case > location to keep the > drivelines the same... > > anyway, this popcorn adventure isn't over yet... > the WJ and Omega are > for sale, and I may put the Blazer up as well... > whichever sells first solves > the problem and makes up my mind. ;) No matter > which way it goes we come > out fine... > > ...and yes, I wish you had the money to rescue Omega > as well... would be > nice to keep it among friends and/or family. :) > > john > > ----- > - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Snohomish, Washington -o|||||o- where Jeeps don't > rust, they mold > http://wagoneers.com john's 6.2L GW: > http://wagoneers.com/FSJ/Omega/ > SAVE FUEL use AMSOIL Synthetics: > http://wagoneers.com/AMSOIL > - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- > > > On Tue, 5 Aug 2008, jasonbassett-at-juno.com wrote: > > # You've really lost it. I can't believe that > you're selling Omega. > # > # And that hybrid idea is interesting, but it'll > still be in pieces in 25 years, > # at the rate your previous projects have gone. It > will be VERY difficult, > # particularly getting them coordinated. Toyota had > a time with it; computers > # locking up on the road, total system quittage, > yuck. > # > # And if you can't be happy with Omega, you'll > never be happy with any > # mongrelized vehicle, and had better just stick > with OTC stuff. Omega really > # was cool, and wind noise is........kinda > irrelevant on a vehicle like that. > # It's a brick, you expect it. And vibration? It's > diesel; that's why we love > # them. > # > # I dunno about you..........I do wish I had enough > mOOlah to take the big O off > # your hands......I can love him, wind and all! > # > # J > # > # -- john wrote: > # selling two of our Jeeps: > # > # 1999 Grand Cherokee with 4.7L V8 - 21 mpg freeway > # > http://seattle.craigslist.org/sno/car/782831274.html > # everything works perfectly... > # http://wagoneers.com/fotos/johns-cars/99WJ/ > # > # 1991 Grand Wagoneer with 6.2L Diesel - 23+ mpg > freeway > # > http://seattle.craigslist.org/sno/car/774209972.html > # only thing not working is the cruise control... > # http://wagoneers.com/fotos/johns-cars/91SJ/ > # > # > # and, I'm looking for a Mercedes Turbo Diesel and > Automatic transmission... > # planning a Diesel Hybrid for SuperDawg... :) > # yet another Frankenstein project from the > Snohomish Monster carport... > # > # ----- > # john > # -------------- > # '94 Chevy Blazer 6.5L TD > # http://wagoneers.com/fotos/johns-cars/94-K1500/ > # '75 J10 hydraulic dump trailer > # '91 300D 2.5L TD > # -------------- > # '83 J10 stepside with no drivetrain > # '67 J100 Panel (son's graduation present) > # -------------- > # '47 Bantam T3-C trailer (for sale) > # '99 WJ for sale / '91 Grand Wag for sale > # > # > - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- > # Snohomish, Washington -o|||||o- where Jeeps > don't rust, they mold > # http://wagoneers.com john's 6.2L GW: > http://wagoneers.com/FSJ/Omega/ > # SAVE FUEL use AMSOIL Synthetics: > http://wagoneers.com/AMSOIL > # > - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 6 Aug 2008 13:03:13 -0700 (PDT) From: john Subject: [db] fuel taxes and Diesel (washington state) Was trying to learn about Diesel taxes in WA state law, and found some interesting info... well, interesting is subject to personal interpretation. :) If you have insomnia, read on... if you're subject to falling asleep at the keyboard, delete now... I knew about Diesel being taxed at a higher rate, and it appears it is true... but I couldn't find a specific Revised Code of Washington (RCW) addressing it. Anyway, in Washington state, their taxes for fuel are: 23+5+3+3+2+1.5 = 37.5 cents per gallon and that is in addition to whatever the FEDERAL taxes which are... GAS: 18.4 + 37.5 = 55.9 cents per gallon (washington state) DIESEL: 24.4 + 37.5 = 61.9 cents per gallon (washington state) The per gallon Federal Motor Fuel Excise Tax is 18.4 cents on gasoline, 13.6 cents on LPG, 24.4 cents on diesel fuel, 18.4 cents on gasohol, 19.4 cents on aviation gas, and 4.4 cents on jet fuel. These monies go to the Federal Highway Trust Fund. (from: http://www.sddot.com/geninfo_fuel.asp ) see also: http://www.taxadmin.org/FTA/rate/motor_fl.html WHY IS IT THEN THAT the easiest fuel product to create, Diesel, costs so much more? e.g. this morning, Unleaded Gas was $3.99 (down quite a bit) and Diesel was down to $4.79 that's .80 difference, of which .06 difference is in taxes... Along the way I uncovered this info: - ------------------------------------- http://www.leg.wa.gov/documents/LTC/jtc/Freight/20070926UpdateCambridge.pdf see page 9, 10, 15. they cite Gas tax at .184/gal and Diesel at 0.244/gal, then on pg 17, fy2006, they show .31/gal for both gas and Diesel... ??? then we have the additional taxes voted in for road improvements: http://apps.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=82.36.025 full chapter: http://apps.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=82.38&full=true#82.38.030 (1) A motor vehicle fuel tax rate of twenty-three cents per gallon on motor vehicle fuel shall be imposed on motor vehicle fuel licensees, other than motor vehicle fuel distributors. (2) Beginning July 1, 2003, an additional and cumulative motor vehicle fuel tax rate of five cents per gallon on motor vehicle fuel shall be imposed on motor vehicle fuel licensees, other than motor vehicle fuel distributors. This subsection (2) expires when the bonds issued for transportation 2003 projects are retired. (3) Beginning July 1, 2005, an additional and cumulative motor vehicle fuel tax rate of three cents per gallon on motor vehicle fuel shall be imposed on motor vehicle fuel licensees, other than motor vehicle fuel distributors. (4) Beginning July 1, 2006, an additional and cumulative motor vehicle fuel tax rate of three cents per gallon on motor vehicle fuel shall be imposed on motor vehicle fuel licensees, other than motor vehicle fuel distributors. (5) Beginning July 1, 2007, an additional and cumulative motor vehicle fuel tax rate of two cents per gallon on motor vehicle fuel shall be imposed on motor vehicle fuel licensees, other than motor vehicle fuel distributors. (6) Beginning July 1, 2008, an additional and cumulative motor vehicle fuel tax rate of one and one-half cents per gallon on motor vehicle fuel shall be imposed on motor vehicle fuel licensees, other than motor vehicle fuel distributors. - ---------------------------------------------- a law that could be used against "unlicensed" BioDiesel folks: (see below for specific exemption) http://apps.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=82.36.470 (b) Motor vehicle fuel that is blended or manufactured by a person not licensed in this state in accordance with this chapter to blend or manufacture fuel; http://apps.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=19.112.010 (3) "Biodiesel fuel" means the monoalkyl esters of long chain fatty acids derived from plant or animal matter that meet the registration requirements for fuels and fuel additives established by the federal environmental protection agency and standards established by the American society of testing and materials. (7) "Motor fuel" means any liquid product used for the generation of power in an internal combustion engine used for the propulsion of a motor vehicle upon the highways of this state, and any biodiesel fuel. Motor fuels containing ethanol may be marketed if either (a) the base motor fuel meets the applicable standards before the addition of the ethanol or (b) the resultant blend meets the applicable standards after the addition of the ethanol. EXEMPTION OF WVO and BIODiesel: (Senate Bill HB 3188 - enacted into law???) http://apps.leg.wa.gov/documents/billdocs/2007-08/Pdf/Bill%20Reports/Senate/3188.SBR.pdf Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: Biodiesel is a good fuel option, because it has less sulfur and is cleaner than diesel. Further, collection of waste vegetable oil for use in the production of biodiesel prevents that oil from polluting the environment as waste. Using waste vegetable oil does not impact the food cycle, because it is an unused byproduct. Production of biodiesel and the exemptions provided in this bill encourages research of alternative fuel sources, like algae. ------------------------------ End of diesel-benz-digest V1 #2835 **********************************