Diesel fuel life

[patrick_g]

"sta-bil" is for gas not diesel .

*I get power service in the white bottle at wal mart.

There is STABIL brand fuel storage additive labeled for diesel fuel. 10 years is optimistic depending on the particular batch. Lots of different petroleum fractions can end up in diesel. Diesel with water is subject to growing "THE BLACK PLAGUE" an algae that lives on diesel in the presence of water. Biobor and equivalent products will prevent/control it.

With diesel rated storage additive like STABIL for diesel and Biobor or equivalent I would first drain off the accumulated water and pour in the additives and stir/mix it and use it and not worry. I have an overhead diesel tank that holds at least a 2 year supply for me and with STABIL and Biobor or equivalent I have no problems. Around 3 years is the longest I have personally stored and used diesel and had no problems.

You can contact STABIL folks via the internet or by phone and they will give you the straight scoop on diesel storage and gasoline storage. They were very pleasant and helopful when I called them.

Pat

 

[techwrtr2]

FWIW, I have an old truck I occaisionally run around the property (old GMC w/DD 2stroke). I haven't put fuel in it in maybe 15 years. It doeesn't smell the best but the truckk seems to run just fine.

 

[saskman49]

Texas Refinery Corp. Quality Lubricants, Specialty Roof Coatings and Property Maintenance

Select the lubricant page then go to fuel Treatment

I use their DZL-PEP ARCTIC because of our winter temps. It was recommended by one of my farmer neighbors. Most of the farmers around here use it. Probably others that work good as well but I have a 100gal sliptank with a hand pump and it works good. As has been said use a good quality filter that can trap water too.

This is the fuel filter I use.

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/...1_910811?cm_sp=Xsells-_-Manual-_-Product Page

 

[D7E]

We often get left with a few hundred gallons of summer diesel in one of the tanks and as we cant use it in winter can sit for up to a year,never seems to be a problem....i'd be more concerned about the source of the diesel and wether it was drained from the bottom of a large storage tank with water contamination...!...I would'nt want to store bio diesel that long though..??

 

[ModMech]

ULSD (Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel) has a terrible affinity for water, it will READILY absorb moisture from the atmosphere which will degrade the fuel quality over time. It's not *as bad* as with ethanol blended gasolines, but something to be very aware of.

Added moisture will accelerate algea formation in the fuel which appears as black strings in the fuel. The moisture will also condense out of the fuel over time and can cause serious corrosion in a steel storage tank. The rust produced by corrosion can block the fuel strainers leading to pump damage and worse if it gets thru the filtration - which it often does.

Pour-in addatives are of speculative benefit, proper filtration is your best defense against problems.

After all that is said, no, it will not store for years. I'd filter and trade what you cannot use by the end of next season for something you can use.

 

[patrick_g]

There are pour in additives and then there are POUR IN ADDITIVES!

BioBor and the like are powerful algaecides which will prevent the algae from growing in your tanks, storage or in the truck. STABIL for diesel will extend storage life.

There are a lot of other additives available which people swear by or at but are dubious in performance as regards storage life and prevention of algae growth. I'm not big on "snake oil" in general but having spent so many years around diesels in marine service (read, condensation challenges and algae attacks) I am a confirmed believer. Once your fuel becomes contaminated with the "black plague" (algae) you will find it controllable but difficult to eliminate.

Pat