Storing fuel in 55 gal. drums

[bigtoy]

I have just picked up 4 -55 gal. drums to store fuel for my wifes vw tdi. That would give me a six months supply of fuel. Before I filled the drums I am starting to worry about galvanized metal I am sure the sides are not, there is a little rust here and there and the metal is dark. However, the bottom is shiny, although it does not have that sparkly galvinized look to it.

 

[Pawpaw]

I wouldn't worry too much about it. Farmers around here store both diesel and gasoline in large tanks on stands 8 - 10 feet above ground without any problems. Sometimes, they can go 2 or 3 years between fillings.



What I WOULD do is add a filter (2 micron?) and possibly a water separator so the fuel gets filtered as you fill up.



Just my $. 02.



Bob

 

[rbattelle]

I agree with Bob on the filter and separator. It would also be nice to put a spigot on the bottom of each barrel so water can be drained off.

Ryan

 

[bigtoy]

I think I will sacrafice 1 barrel, somehow take a chunk out of the bottom, maybe fill it with water and use a hole saw, then try welding or torching that chunk, if it's galvanized it will give off that funky smell and that yellow smoke. That VW injection system is to fragile to take a chance on. If it is galvinized I will probably switch to plastic drums

 

[bigtoy]

I will definitely use a filter. I was looking at a goldenrod clear housing with a water drain on it. It is rated at a 10 micron