Need Counsel on Old Diesel Fuel in Tank

gkh7890 · Jul 29, 2011

Hi Everyone.

I just rec'd a free (old) fuel tank. Approx. a 300 gallon tank. Based on calculations, I also rec'd about 85 gallons of mostly diesel fuel??? I'm sure there's water in there too as the cap was missing. I don't know nor does the prior owner know how long the fuel has been in there. But I can tell you from dipping a stick in it that it is off-road as it has a red tint/dye to it.

I picked up a new rotary pump and I saw the water filters and fuel filters at TSC. I plan to empty the tank to clean it.

Here is my dilemma.......should I pump out the old fuel and filter it as I remove it (using both of the filters I mentioned) and try to keep it OR should I not even bother filtering it and just get it out and move on?

I would appreciate hearing from those of you who have tanks and/or have gone thru this scenario before.

Thanks!

90cummins · Jul 29, 2011

Don't pump it out drain it if possible!!
Pumping it out especially if it was recently moved will stir up the sediment & may damage the pump and/or certainly plug the filters. Assuming you are using a nice pump.
Drain it into another tank or barrel let it settle for a couple days/weeks then pump or drain it again keeping the hose or pump several inches off the bottom.
You want to avoid any trash/water in the bottom of the tank.
If the fuel looks good use it.
Add some fuel conditioner for additional insurance.

gkh7890 · Jul 30, 2011

Good info!

Thanks 90!

Quick question, what are some tell-tell signs of good or bad diesel?

90cummins · Jul 30, 2011

If it's cloudy or slimy there's water and/or algae in it.
If the tank was removed from a cool cellar or cool environment diesel will keep indefinitely.
There are fuel conditioners for algae and water if not excessive.
After treatment it needs to be run thought a 10 micron particulate and water filter.

JDgreen227 · Aug 5, 2011

90cummins said:
If it's cloudy or slimy there's water and/or algae in it.
If the tank was removed from a cool cellar or cool environment diesel will keep indefinitely.
There are fuel conditioners for algae and water if not excessive.
After treatment it needs to be run thought a 10 micron particulate and water filter.

Not trying to be critical of your input, but "indefinitely" is a word I find very confusing and possibly misleading. As applied to either diesel fuel or gasoline, it could mean anywhere from two days to ten years, or any period in between. The last time I used Sta-Bil gas stabilizer, the label informed me it would keep treated gasoline fresh "indefinitely". Like that gives me much useful information....:laughing:

atgreene · Aug 5, 2011

Diesel is different than gas. Treat it, filter it and use it.

I often scavenge old fuel tanks. Best way to deal with water is to pump it into 55 gallon drums and let it sit until winter. Water will freeze then pump off the fuel and filter it. Saves a lot of hassle.

Soundguy · Aug 5, 2011

seperate the water out, and any emulsion,

filter thru a tshirt or paint strainer to get out any sediments or biologicals..

treat the fuel heavilly.. IE.. 2x treatment, then use, mixed with new as you go.

soundguy

gkh7890 · Aug 7, 2011

Thank you for your input.

Just bought a nice metal funnel w/ screen @ TSC on Friday. Hoping get started on it real soon!!! Will let you know what happens

.

Thanks again!