Life of Diesel Fuel????

[Paul Holbrook]

Got some Diesel in 5 gal cans. It's four months old. Any problems using it??? Heard someone say that that diesel goes bad or something grows in it and it can then foul the injectors. And then DC will refuse to honor the warranty when It's taken in with clogged injectors??? Thanks

 

[Benson]

I can't imagine it going bad in 4 months. I think it would take longer than that as long as it hasn't been in real moist conditions.

 

[PUMPERDUDE]

Look at it

If its cloudy or brownish colored kill some weeds. If it looks clear feed it to your Cummins

 

[illflem]

Diesel fuel will last for years as long as no water is in it. The algae that grows in it looks like brown snot and lives at the water/diesel interface which is at the bottom of the container since diesel floats on water. If the container is shaken the algae will mix throughout the fuel. Use it but filter it while watching out for the snot, pantyhose make a good filter. If you see any snot don't use, it can be the seeds for an algae bloom in your fuel tank. Most likely the fuel is fine if it's been stored in tight container.

 

[Scot]

illflem,

Are there different blends used during the year?

 

[illflem]

#1 and #2 diesel are blended in different ratios and appear on the market at different times in the fall depending on the geographical area's anticipated low temperatures to protect the fuel from gelling. If there isn't a sign at the station (in the north at least) specifying #1, 2 or blend you are getting blend whether you want it or not in the cold months. Some brands of fuel don't use a blend but rather use antigel chemicals, they usually don't tell you though. It's very rare to find an employee at a station who has even a clue as to what's in the pumps. Unless the temp drops below 10°F no blend or antigel additives are needed. Using a #1 / #2 blend results in poorer fuel economy and power. I run straight #2 year round with Howe's additive in the winter to prevent gelling. Works great for me. If you are in the normally warmer southern states where blended fuel isn't used and hear of lower than normal temps headed your way it would be wise to use some additive.

 

[BushWakr - RIP]

Snot in fuel I wonder can you get a filter for that?>??





bob

 

[The patriot]

I fuel up out of a vented 550 tank. It takes probibally 6 months between fills. I havent had any problems. I DO use conditioner liberally when I get it topped off.

Eric

 

[LarryB]

Originally posted by BushWakr

Snot in fuel I wonder can you get a filter for that?>??





bob

Hey Bob, I think you can just use a kleenex!

 

[Harley152]

Years ago the company I worked for bought a ship from the inactive fleet reserve that had been mothballs since 1944. When we towed it to seattle and began re-fitting the beast we found approximately 11,000 gallons of original 1944 #2 diesel---smelled fine---color a little "lighter" than what is now available so we ran it thru the centrifuge and ran the generators during the conversion work!!! No problems encountered. Thats was 42 year old fuel!! Only problem was 1st fuel-up 220,000 gallons at 1986 prices!!!

 

[rrausch]

I've stored gasoline in Eagle 5-gallon Type-1 Safety Cans for over 4 years with no noticeable degradation. (Sometimes I have used Stabil but not every time in every can). Type-1 Safety Cans have a single spring-loaded cap which seals the can so air can't get in. I believe they are also galvinized on the inside.

I have heard rumors that galvanization (zinc) will degrade Diesel, but I e-mailed Eagle Mfg. Co. and they say the cans are OK to store Diesel in. They say the only difference between their Type-1 gasoline storage cans and their Type-1 Diesel cans is the color of exterior paint.

Does anybody know for sure whether galvanization will degrade Diesel?

 

[illflem]

I've also heard that galvanization will degrade diesel, but have never found any research to back it. IMO that makes it an old wives tale. Plastic and fiberglass are the preferred materials for diesel storage, but when using a steel tank the recommendation is that the tank be galvanized. Guess that means it's ok. For sure motor oil stored in galvanized containers degrades.

 

[15w40]

I am not a chemist but zinc galvanization, whether hot dipped or electro-plated will chemically react with diesel. The problem is not the chemical reaction but the galvanization will degrade and flake off the container. This will plug the fuel filter and if it gets by the filter can cause injector problems.



PS: the bad zinc is silver in color. I learned in another thread about Geno's banjo bolts that zinc dichromate, gold in color, is safe to use with diesel fuel. This is the plating used on the banjo bolts.