Gifted Diesel Fuel, Use it?

When I bought my tractor last month, I was given approximately 35 gallons of diesel fuel in a 55 gal drum w/ a crank pump on it. I know nothing about the fuel, when or where it was purchased, how long it had sat, nothing. The PO stated that it was "still good" and that I may filter it before using.

Should I use it? I'm leary of rust from the barrel, condensation,and, I was told by a neighbor, that algae can grow in diesel fuel?

Anything I can/should do to treat it before using? What type filter should I run it through?

If possible, I'd really like to make use of the fuel. In my neck-o'-the-woods, that's approximately $125 worth of go-go juice!!

Thanks!
 
You could pump it into a clean open top bucket, see if anything is floating around or settling to the bottom.

If it settles out, pour the clean part through a paint filter in a funnel. The diesel filter should catch the rest.
 

Dino diesel will stay usable for years.bio diesel not so well. If you have an older tractor(not common rail fuel type) I would suggest to pump your gifted diesel through a water separater type filter & use it
 
(quoted from post at 07:35:30 11/13/18) When I bought my tractor last month, I was given approximately 35 gallons of diesel fuel in a 55 gal drum w/ a crank pump on it. I know nothing about the fuel, when or where it was purchased, how long it had sat, nothing. The PO stated that it was "still good" and that I may filter it before using.

Should I use it? I'm leary of rust from the barrel, condensation,and, I was told by a neighbor, that algae can grow in diesel fuel?

Anything I can/should do to treat it before using? What type filter should I run it through?

If possible, I'd really like to make use of the fuel. In my neck-o'-the-woods, that's approximately $125 worth of go-go juice!!

Thanks!

If you are worried about it then put a tap on the barrel.

Lay it down horizontally and leave the end with the tap raised slightly.

Now forget about it until temperatures have been below freezing for a week or two.

By now sediment will have settled to the low side and any water present will have settled and be frozen solid on the low side.

Open the tap and draw off a sample in a jar, if it looks good you are good to go.

If you still see particles in the jar then run it through a nylon or some other kind of filter first.

Anything too small for you to see should get taken care of by your tractors fuel filters.

Whatever does not drain out once frozen can be disposed of when it thaws in the spring.

Unless it has algae in it diesel is very stable and can sit for many many years and not go bad like gasoline does.
 
(quoted from post at 05:46:21 11/13/18)
If you have an older tractor(not common rail fuel type)

I have a 1975 Case/DB885. Do I need to put this filter "in-line" on my fuel line from the barrel, or do they make a filter to fit into a funnel?

Sorry, an abundance of questions, I know. As they say, "Ignorance is bliss!"
 
Think about it do you really want to possibly screw up the injection system in your diesel by using 35 gals of unknown fuel? I wouldn't use it but of course its your call.
 
(quoted from post at 06:15:03 11/13/18) Think about it do you really want to possibly screw up the injection system in your diesel by using 35 gals of unknown fuel? I wouldn't use it but of course its your call.

I have thought about it, that's why I posed the question to experts.
 
NAPA and Harbor Freight, along with just about any place that sells automotive paint supplies, sells filters that fit in funnels. Those will remove anything that will be big enough to cause problems. Your tractor has a sediment bowl and two fuel filters before the injector pump as well.

If it smells like diesel fuel, looks like diesel fuel, your tractor will run on it. It's not fussy. Go to your local auto parts store and pick up some diesel fuel treatment that prevents algae, and put it in if that worries you.
 
No one here can tell you what all is in that barrel,just because someone said its diesel fuel doesn't mean that is correct.Like buying opened cans of what ever at auctions no way to
really know what is in the can.
 
Give me a break guys. What could be in the fuel that's so bad?

What's he supposed to do with it if he can't burn it in the tractor? Hardly anybody has an oil furnace anymore, and if it's bad for the tractor it's going to be bad for the furnace! It's going to cost a fortune to have it disposed of "properly" at a recycling facility.

I guess he could just leave it until the barrel rusts out and let it leak into the ground...
 
Guess no one in your area burns brush piles,standard practice here is for contractors clearing lots to dig a hole soak several square bales with diesel fuel and then pile the brush on top, the fuel soaked bales create a very hot hot fire that will burn even green brush up completely.Any lot clearing contractor would buy the fuel at a small discount.
 

Hmmm...what a wide variation in opinions.

Seems my tractor's either gonna not give a damn, or it's gonna go on the scrap heap.
 
So in all probability, the fuel in the tank of the tractor came from that barrel, and if the previous owner still had the tractor, chances are that fuel would have ended up in the tractor anyway.
I have a 55 gallon drum with a hand pump and filter on it. You can get a filter and housing from TSC or Northern, and plumb it right to the outlet of the pump, which I would highly recommend you do if you plan to use the drum. Diesel fuel can never be too clean.
I would draw some of the contents off in a glass jar and check to make sure it is diesel, and there is no algae or crude in it. The earlier comment about adding a biocide is a good one. I always add Sta-bil to my fuel, and have never had a problem. If you are still concerned, you can buy some diesel and when you add fuel to the tractor, use half new and half from the barrel.
 
(quoted from post at 06:48:01 11/13/18) Are you a gambler? $100 with of fuel bet against possible repair bill that could run over $2K,Your tractor your call.

I'll go w/ you, TF. I'll burn brush piles w/ it.
 
I'm betting whatever is left in the barrel is also what was put into the tractor. I'd filter it and use it. If you don't use much and want rid of it find someone who has a waste oil furnace. They will gladly use it up for you.
 
One thing I have learned about this forum is that if you ask 10 people, you get 10 different answers. You get to pick the one you like the best.
As to experts? I can guarantee that every answer you get is strictly anecdotal. Each is based on the poster's own personal experience.

Maybe it would be wise to pump some out of the barrel and look it over yourself. Look for dirt, discoloration, presence of water or algae, and then decide for yourself. Filtering is a good idea. Just apply good old common sense. There is no "black magic" or "voodoo" involved.
 
I was also gifted some diesel fuel last year. I have a used oil heater for my shop and that is where it is going. No way am I going to try to run it through the injectors on my machinery that needs to go when it's time to run. Down time and repair costs will eat up the price of the fuel in no time.
 

Well, lets just calm down and be realistic here. Fuel filters cost way under $2,000, LMAO!!!. You can buy a lot of filters for what 30 gal of fuel would cost. Most possible contaminants will settle out, a few will float, pretty much any that could POSSIBLY mix into the fuel will do nothing more than reduce the BTUs and what is the chance that it could have gotten any exotic potentially damaging contaminants put in there?
 
If the standpipe can be shortened to 6 inchs from the bottom that will lesson the chance of getting
water and crap in your engine. Filter and run it in your engine.
 
No way would I run it. Cleaned the tank of a MF 165 that had sat for 9 years last winter. It had about 15 gallons of fuel in it. That stuff was very nasty and it took lots of Purple Power and sloshing to get the tank clean. A friend in GA told me that would clean it out. It worked great.
I am using the diesel to start fires in my big shop heater and it will last a long time doing that.
Richard in NW SC
 
(quoted from post at 07:45:03 11/13/18)
Southern Indiana, that's not to far from me, if you don't trust using it I'll come haul it off for you.

Bedford, IN to be exact. 70 miles NW of Louisville. 70 miles S of Indianapolis.

I'm still on the fence.
 
Your tractor had that fuel in it when you
bought it. If it was good then it's good
now. Pump a little in a glass jar and let
it settle. Look at it. Smell it. Old diesel
has a distinct smell.
 
(quoted from post at 09:53:02 11/13/18)
(quoted from post at 07:45:03 11/13/18)
Southern Indiana, that's not to far from me, if you don't trust using it I'll come haul it off for you.

Bedford, IN to be exact. 70 miles NW of Louisville. 70 miles S of Indianapolis.

I'm still on the fence.

I'm 30 miles south of Corydon.
Let me know what you decide.
 
Personally i would put it in your oil heater. The filters on that cost
far less than your potential equipment costs.
 
(quoted from post at 08:35:30 11/13/18) When I bought my tractor last month, I was given approximately 35 gallons of diesel fuel in a 55 gal drum w/ a crank pump on it. I know nothing about the fuel, when or where it was purchased, how long it had sat, nothing. The PO stated that it was "still good" and that I may filter it before using.

Should I use it? I'm leary of rust from the barrel, condensation,and, I was told by a neighbor, that algae can grow in diesel fuel?

Anything I can/should do to treat it before using? What type filter should I run it through?

If possible, I'd really like to make use of the fuel. In my neck-o'-the-woods, that's approximately $125 worth of go-go juice!!

Thanks!
have used gifted diesel before in my tractor and I like "Determined's' answer the best....it would have covered my fuel well.
 
No way I would run it in a tractor..burn brush with it,,dump it in the waste oil burner tank,,it has the opportunity to cause a lot of expensive trouble...
 
I like Determined suggestion about the best. I have used old fuel like yours in similar manner to all of these methods in the past. If in an old DB885 the pump is an old mechanical pump so not nearly as delicate as these new electronic injectors and pumps.
Like my old cat the injectors were only about 100.00 each, the newer electronic ones are about 1200 each. Big difference in risk there. Yup still lots of money but not nearly as much as the newer ones.
 
Run it through a pump with a water separator and
filter and run it maybe add a little lubricity addative
 
(quoted from post at 07:01:11 11/13/18) One thing I have learned about this forum is that if you ask 10 people, you get 10 different answers. You get to pick the one you like the best.
As to experts? I can guarantee that every answer you get is strictly anecdotal. Each is based on the poster's own personal experience.

Maybe it would be wise to pump some out of the barrel and look it over yourself. Look for dirt, discoloration, presence of water or algae, and then decide for yourself. Filtering is a good idea. Just apply good old common sense. There is no "black magic" or "voodoo" involved.

Hey jimg!! what do we get from your guarantee????? I found two anecdotal and the rest were opinions from common knowledge as opposed to anyone's actual experience, LMAO!!
 
Well I would be sure that in the event you used the fuel in your tractor and it did damage your tractor in some way those that are telling you to use the fuel will be right there
with their checkbooks to help with the cost of repairs. Might want to get their John Hancock on the dotted line to see how strong their beliefs are.(LOL)
 
(quoted from post at 17:31:27 11/13/18) Well I would be sure that in the event you used the fuel in your tractor and it did damage your tractor in some way those that are telling you to use the fuel will be right there
with their checkbooks to help with the cost of repairs. Might want to get their John Hancock on the dotted line to see how strong their beliefs are.(LOL)

Well, traditional farmer are you going to set the escrow account up to hold the money? and what are you offering to those who send money and after a year the DB is still healthy? there should be a decent return for your challenge like maybe 20% per year. I'll poney up for a share.
 
I think the roundup In his morning mush has finally
got to him . Tf you?d better hurry and call that lady
on tv from the world Health Organization
 

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