Does diesel go bad?

[Copperhead]

If the diesel already had some biodiesel in it, adding a lubricant is wasted money. A simple 2% biodiesel blend adds more lubricity than anything on the market, and it was included free of charge as part of the diesel fuel to begin with. But a biocide would be a good measure. Risk is low, but there could be diesel eating microbes that have set up home in your fuel tank. Would not be noticeable just looking in the tank. Just use a high quality filter and enjoy. The Mr. Funnel that was mentioned is a great addition to anyone's garage or shop.

 

[r porter]

i am now retired, but we had fuel stored for an emergency generator that was over 30 years old. every few years a little stabilizer was added. it was tested annually to see if additives were needed. the tank had something like 20,000 gallons in it.

if i remember right the cost was $ .13 per gallon when the tank was filled.

 

[hd6gtom]

I have used diesel as old as 15 years. It was premium grade diesel.

 

[RalphVa]

Our 240D Mercedes was stored for 4 years while we were in Singapore. The diesel (untreated) in the tank had turned a little bit brown.

The engine developed a burnt valve within 2 or 3 months. Doubt it was related to the fuel.

Ralph

 

[Joisey]

Can diesel go bad and cause problems in a motor? Long story short I've got a 1,000 gallon fuel tank with diesel that's about 2 years old. I used about 500 gallons of it last year between fueling a rented dozer and my tractor. Was just wondering if I could cause problems by fueling equipment with 2 year old diesel? It looks and smells like diesel lol. No treatment was ever added to it.

I had a Case 680CK that had a full tank of fuel that was just over 1 1/2 years old. It was treated for winter use and the backhoe was stored inside. It only gets used a few times per year, and the last time I went to use it there was no power to #4 cylinder. I loosened the fuel line to that cylinder and there was no output.

Long story short...4 new barrels and pistons in my injection pump. The old fuel soured, much like gasoline does when it gets old, and pitted the surface on the barrels and pistons. Cost me $1200 to get the pump rebuilt. The rebuilder (Bosch pump) told me to use Stanadyne fuel treatment, and even then not to let the fuel get beyond 6 months old.