Diesel Fuel Storage

Tonka Toys

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I have a large diesel barrel full of fuel. It has been there for several years (maybe 4-5, not sure). I put diesel protector, like Stabil (sp), in the tank when it was filled. How can I tell if is starting to gel or growing mold? If it is how can I clean it up? More protectant? Stir it up with compressed air? Also, what brand do most of you use to keep it from going bad? Thanks to anyone who can provide info. Gary
 
If its premium #2 diesel you don't need to do anything to it. If its plain old #2 you will need a box of filters for on the pump, algicide like Howes, maybe 2 times the recommended amount and a box of filters for your tractor. Does the tank have a prevent type fill cap on it. Algi creates a black slimy mess in the tank.
 
I have used diesel that was at least. Ten years old with no problem. If it is bad you will know it. I would keep some extra filters on hand.
 
Does the alea float or does it permeate the fuel from top to bottom? If it floats he could drain off till he got to it then dump the rest in a different container to use for brush fire or something else with it and save the best of it. Then treat the good stuff to use in the tractor. I ask because we have not had problems with this since we keep the water drained out of the bottom of the tanks and tanks covered. We also keep the fuel well changed with new fuel coming in on a yearly basis. I have used fuel that is many years old with no issues also. Was in things we bought.
 
(quoted from post at 23:49:11 05/23/22) If its premium #2 diesel you don't need to do anything to it. If its plain old #2 you will need a box of filters for on the pump, algicide like Howes, maybe 2 times the recommended amount and a box of filters for your tractor. Does the tank have a prevent type fill cap on it. Algi creates a black slimy mess in the tank.

Fungus in diesel also incorrectly referred to as Algae requires water in fuel to be present.

I think old school diesel that contained more sulfur stored just fine. If today's diesel contains any Bio-diesel then old school diesel will store much longer. Contaminants such as water create diesel storage problems.
https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1-d&q=fungus+or+algae+in+diesel+fuel
 


"Starting to gel" is only at very cold temps. If it did gel, the wax would have dissolved in the heat of the next summer. You would not have mold. You are thinking of algae, which is possible if there was much air space over the fuel in the barrel for humid air to get in. Whatever may cause a problem will be on the bottom. Run a tube down to the bottom and siphon some out into a bucket until it runs clear. Then you will know. I recently did this to recover ten gallons from a 30 gal drum.
 
I haul and store diesel in 5 gallon cans, because we don't use very much, and twice in the last few years I've had a problem. As the weather warms up I pour the previous summers diesel into the tractor through a funnel with a very fine screen, and the screen has plugged. I always add some biocide to fuel stored over winter. It's only the last 2 quarts in the bottom of the can that plugs the screen, so I save it for starting fires. I am going to try to store less fuel in the future, but there isn't anyplace to buy fuel near our farm, so I like to keep 5 gallons on hand. I have never had the filter on the tractor plug, and I don't want it to happen 3 miles back in the woods!
 
Dont blow air into it! Oh my. You dont want the sediment stirred up, no no no. Dont ever do that.

It should be just fine.

Gelling is a below freezing issue, typically below 20 degrees and much below. Not an issue of age at all.

Only issue you could run into is the algae. There is an attitive to clear that up. It is hard to find, because its a fairly rare issue. But it is something to consider. Likely not an issue nothing to worry about.

Only bad diesel I ever ran into was in a combine I bought at auction, the dern fool came up to me after and admitted he did everything you mention to empty out a storage tank before taking the combine to the sale. The fuel in the combine was terribly contaminated with water and gunk and sediment, if you just leave things alone and use the fuel as is, its going to be fine.

Paul
 
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I'd look in the tank and if its clear to the bottom don't worry about it. If I saw anything else I would ensure that I had a final filter at the outlet of the transfer pump (good idea regardless) to catch anything that won't pass through the filter.

On additives I use Power Services in the grey container and my 55 gallon sealed drums stay clear (red off road tinted). I currently have 4 diesel tractors and the only fuel related problems I have had in current memory were a (rust) clogged fuel tank outlet filter screen with a '65 Ford and had to have the pump rebuilt (first rebuild in 5700 hours) last year. Other than that, no fuel problems.
 
Sounds like you use very little diesel fuel and may never empty your large diesel fuel tank in the foreseeable future. With today's high fuel prices now would be an excellent opportunity to sell it and simply eliminate your diesel fuel storage problem. Your fuel supplier should be able to set you up with someone to buy it, or you can sell it yourself privately.
 

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