"shelf life" for diesel in 5 gal. plastic can?

[44trxfun]

\"shelf life\" for diesel in 5 gal. plastic can?

A week ago I bought ~10 gals of diesel in 2 5-gal plastic diesel cans. We were supposed to have gotten lake effect snow, but it didn't happen. How long can I keep the diesel stored like this before it starts to deteriorate? (Our future forecasts looks like it's going to be in the 20-40 degree F range for the next week or so.) I should also mention that when I asked when I filled up, they told me the diesel was treated to be good to -20 degrees F.

 

[JJT]

Re: \"shelf life\" for diesel in 5 gal. plastic can?

If I don't use mine in 2 - 3 months, into the furnace tank it goes.

I have a neighbor that get's his fuel delivered in bulk and he'll go 12-18 months between deliveries.

I buy mine from a local truck stop and like to keep fresh fuel on hand.

 

[Junkman]

Re: \"shelf life\" for diesel in 5 gal. plastic can?

If you keep it tightly capped and there is no water in the fuel, it will keep almost indefinately....... well at least until you will need to use it next... I fill my tank once a year and have never ran into problems with the fuel going bad. Gasoline on the other hand has a shelf life of about 30 days before it starts to go stale. Diesel is a much more stable product....

 

[5030]

Re: \"shelf life\" for diesel in 5 gal. plastic can?

Junkman:

I get my bulk tank filled about 1 time each year, preferably in the spring when I can get it "cheaper". (tongue-in-cheek).

I use a biocide treatment that I get from my fuel supplier to keep the micro-organisms from growing.

 

[mountain_man]

Re: \"shelf life\" for diesel in 5 gal. plastic can?

I had good luck with Sta-Bil with storing gasoline for my generator. Also works with diesel fuel too.

 

[44trxfun]

Re: \"shelf life\" for diesel in 5 gal. plastic can?

I'm guessing(!) I'll use this fuel within the next 4-5 weeks! As we've all seen in the "December 29 in western NY" thread, we're having some very weird weather here! I just wanted to make sure I wouldn't have any problems with it.

My dealer thought that since the diesel was treated for cold weather starts prior to delivery to the service station (I've seen lotsa log truck fill up at the same pump), that I shouldn't need any other additive.

 

[Junkman]

Re: \"shelf life\" for diesel in 5 gal. plastic can?

I always fill mine before the humid weather starts. If the tank is full, then no moisture can form on the cool sides of the tank. Most people don't fill the oil tank until the fall when they will need the oil. The tank being empty most of the summer will have a lot of condensation in it that will cause problems for them.. Fuel is usually at a low in late July or early August. I try to hold out until then, but sometimes the weather doesn't allow that to happen, so I will fill it sooner. Last year I paid $ .99 per gallon.....

 

[RalphVa]

Re: \"shelf life\" for diesel in 5 gal. plastic can?

My present car was stored 4 1/2 years while we were in Singapore. When it was delivered back to us, the battery was dead, and the AC compressor was, too. However, with a new battery, it started right up.

Sampled the diesel in the tank, and it was brown. Ran it. Didn't drain. It was full when stored and still was pretty much full. They were supposed to start it once/month. Doubt they did.

Put Chevron Red Line in to stop the mild pinging that started a little bit later. Stopped it.

Wife still drives this car every day. It's like new except for a leaky fresh air door that's broken. I've a couple of those PVC pipe plugs over the vents for the winter time.

Ralph

 

[KubotaBling]

Re: \"shelf life\" for diesel in 5 gal. plastic can?

On bulk tanks i'm getting a 250gallon one cheap 120 bucks. I'm gonna have 2 put a filter hose etc.. on it but I was wondering say i pour like Rotella DFA or Powerservice in there when i first get it filled will those products stay mixed in the tank sitting like 2-3 months? Will i need 2 put biocide in tanks or will like PS or DFA stabalize it enough to work equaly to preventing growth..??

 

[Boomer33]

Re: \"shelf life\" for diesel in 5 gal. plastic can?

I buy gasoline and diesel in bulk from my local Agway Energy dealer. I prefer Non winterized blends, so I usually order a years supply in August. I stabilize gasoline with Briggs & Stratton stabilizer which lasts twice as long as others. I stabilize & winterize diesel with Stanodyne Performance blend. I have had no problems at all in 13 years of this method of fuel storage. The gasoline tank is the 275 gal. above ground type and the diesel is a below ground 550 gal. Both tanks are fitted with Gasboy electric pumps, but hand pumps work very well. The pedestal mounted pump in the photo serves the burried diesel tank.