Diesel storing

[rogerlamb]

I just finished cruising the Sea of Cortez in my 2004 Hunter 466. I just took it to San Carlos and had it hauled out for the summer (too hot). As I have never put the boat up in the yard for 4-5 months before I wondered what the opinions are on any preparation on storing the diesel fuel? I have it filled full (100 gallons) but wondered if there was any recommendations on additives or not. I've never had a fuel issue, just wondered.

[Dave852]

Keeping full is the most important, I like to use a biocide but if you just pour it in a full tank it's likely to clump and be worse than none. You normally add while filling to mix. So unless you have a fuel polishing system I would leave it be. 5 or 6 months is nothing for diesel, you should be fine with leaving it full.


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[Lepke]

If you have a way to circulate the fuel, I'd add a conditioner. Two I've had good service from are Algae-X and Archoil 6200. Since first using Archoil in my diesel pickup, I use it all the time in the boat. Better winter starts, the usual biocide, makes it easier for your primary filter to trap water and seems to give me about a 10% better economy.
Diesels don't usually seize, but you can pull the injectors on most engines and put some oil on the rings. Smokes on 1st startup.

[chuckr]

For the past 8+ years we have sailed, sit, sailed sit ect - now in the Med we sail 5-7months and sit 5-7 months -- when go in for the winter we fill the tanks and use a biocide - our best was wirth if you can find it - we had a couple of cans but ran out and now using starton -