diesel fuel

[dhays]

??? Does diesel fuel go bad.I've had some sitting about 3 yrs.Safe to run in tractor?

 

[dpendzic]

have to check it for algae growing in it

 

[JayinNY]

Check for water in it also.

 

[jm.]

Answer to you question is NO.. but as some say it might pick up some water or alge but I have used it that was 6 and 7 years old with no problem.

 

[jeffcat]

Yes it is not like green beer to answer a question.

 

[4play]

Diesel will oxidize just like any other petro/carbon based fuel. You can get diesel specific fuel stabilizer (antioxidant ) to use for storage. Then you have the bacteria/algae problem which is caused by air and water, so limit the amount of air in the storage tank and keep it sealed. There is also an additive to prevent or fight algae growth (biocide). Lastly you might consider an additive to improve the cetane, these usually include a lubricity additive too.

Starting with a good, clean and dry fuel and stored in a properly sealed container it could last a very long time, especially with some additives. Many people have used diesel fuel that has set for years, even decades with success, that doesn't mean it will always last that long or it was not "bad".

 

[MDFJ]

(quoted from post at 21:50:00 04/13/16) Diesel will oxidize just like any other petro/carbon based fuel. You can get diesel specific fuel stabilizer (antioxidant ) to use for storage. Then you have the bacteria/algae problem which is caused by air and water, so limit the amount of air in the storage tank and keep it sealed. There is also an additive to prevent or fight algae growth (biocide). Lastly you might consider an additive to improve the cetane, these usually include a lubricity additive too.

Starting with a good, clean and dry fuel and stored in a properly sealed container it could last a very long time, especially with some additives. Many people have used diesel fuel that has set for years, even decades with success, that doesn't mean it will always last that long or it was not "bad".

I Agree all fuel will go bad, Eventually and it will loose power ( Cetane Rating ). It will always work! Not like gasoline Especially if is has alcohol or Ethanol added to it! Don't add too many additives to any fuel's it can make a Witches brew.
You'll be sorry.

 

[rustred]

the old diesel can sit for 10-15 years and you wont see a difference in tractor operation. i have burnt some old smelling diesel just by adding some conditioner to it. tractor did not know the difference. also diluted it with new fuel just to get it used up.
this new style fuel might not last as long.

 

[MDFJ]

(quoted from post at 23:18:37 04/13/16) the old diesel can sit for 10-15 years and you wont see a difference in tractor operation. i have burnt some old smelling diesel just by adding some conditioner to it. tractor did not know the difference. also diluted it with new fuel just to get it used up.
this new style fuel might not last as long.

Agree, Just be-careful of the additives I seen what can happen.

 

[Ian Beale]

I'm beginning to believe that the diesel you got 6-7 years ago or more ain't what you're getting now.

We have never had any problems with diesel that sat in seldom used machinery up until recently. Now have to add anti-pox to new supply.

 

[Ultradog MN]

I bought a tractor a couple of years ago for
the engine. It had sat for 13 years.
It had nearly a full tank of fuel in it.
I drained it a gallon at a time and used it
with a test tank in my tractor all winter.

 

[Stephen Newell]

I had been wondering the same thing. I have some in a can that is more than a year old. I guess the next question is how do you tell when diesel goes bad? With gas you can quickly tell the difference in color and smell.

 

[wanabefarmer]

How much do you have 5 or 10 gallons I would not take the risk with my tractors.

 

[Traditional Farmer]

I bought a pull/trailer type electric sign the State DOT uses on jobs with a small diesel engine about 5 years ago.In keeping with the geniuses in the DOT the sign had a full tank of
fuel to sell it.Been using the unit as a battery charger since it had the diesel have only used about 1/4 of the fuel but the engine starts right up and runs fine with the old fuel.I did add some
Seafoam a couple years ago.

 

[casecollectorsc]

Bought a 930 Case that the owner said hadn't run in 20 years. It ran with no issues. Probably better quality fuel than today.

 

[hd6gtom]

No it does not go bad. We purposely left some premium diesel in a 300 gal overhead tank for 10+ years. It burned just like the day we put it in the tank.

 

[David G]

Diesel itself should not go bad, it can get contaminated with algae and water, I do not know about the longevity of the additives.

 

[Goose]

I have an Allis D19 diesel that I usually park in the fall and let set until spring. It always starts right up in the spring, but also seems to run a bit smoother after I add fresh fuel.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[37chief]

I had some at least 50 years old in a old tank. it still looked good. I just used it for parts cleaning though. stan