Does Diesel Go Sour Over Winter

[DJBrookster]

Its probably a very silly question, but.this does happen with petrol. Is there anything that can be done to counteract this problem.

[sailcruiser]

Originally Posted by DJBrookster

Its probably a very silly question, but.this does happen with petrol. Is there anything that can be done to counteract this problem.

The only silly question is the one not asked. And yes it does go sour. You need to stabilize the fuel and add a bactericide. (some products do both). Diesel actually grows stuff too. In some ares they do algaecide too.

[sailcruiser]

Originally Posted by DJBrookster

Its probably a very silly question, but.this does happen with petrol. Is there anything that can be done to counteract this problem.

Take a look at some of these products for an idea: http://www.defender.com/category.jsp...335&id=1121359

[Hudson Force]

'just an added clarification,- the contamination of fuels that remain long stored is not related to a winter season or cold, but just a long term without use. Microbial growth is actually more likely to occur with stored fuels in warmer climates and water introduced into the stored fuels can be increased by large temperature changes.

[svBeBe]

Also probably want to keep the tank full to avoid condensation.

[Talbot]

The biggest problem with diesel relates to the % of biodiesel in the mix.

Water in the tanl will also promote the diesel bug.

some tanks will sweat, and thus are more likely to add water to the fuel.

fuel stabilisers and biocides help to maintain the fuel.

[DJBrookster]

Thanks, I think I'm going to fill the tank prior to the off season.

[captain58sailin]

Always a good idea to fill up the tank to minimize condensation, I also drop a gallon of "Power service" in on a 200 gallon tank and I have never had a fuel problem. I have no affiliation with them just a user.

[ssanzone]

blah blah blah!

after sitting for 10 years, i topped off the tank and motored out of my slip.

while i dont question the academic accuracy of the other responses, the reality is diesel is not gasoline and does not break down.

i do think you need to replace the filter after any extended period of not running the engine and then after the 1st and 2nd uses.

-steve

[captain58sailin]

The other plus of fueling up before winter is, I have never come into the spring with the fuel being cheaper than the previous fall, and sometimes things are a little tight coming into spring so it is nice to have a full tank of fuel to start off until the money starts coming in.

[slowshoes]

Originally Posted by ssanzone

blah blah blah!

after sitting for 10 years, i topped off the tank and motored out of my slip.

while i dont question the academic accuracy of the other responses, the reality is diesel is not gasoline and does not break down.

i do think you need to replace the filter after any extended period of not running the engine and then after the 1st and 2nd uses.

-steve

Agree - I live in a four season climate and always stabilize and top off my tank before winter lay up. Many years ago I had to let my boat sit for 3 years and was wondering about the diesel as well. Put the boat in, turned the key and it fired right up. It continued to do so all season - no problems.

[zeehag]

diesel does NOT deteriorate. i have used some for 5 yrs without problem. might want to use a biocide, but isnt always necessary.
biodiesel DOES clump just like corn oil does with age--isnt good for the engine in that form, nor does it flow when clumped.

[O.C.Diver]

Lay my boat up every winter for 6 months. Don't top off the tank or use additives. Change the filters and clean the separator bowl every Spring. Turn the key and go.

FYI, boat holds 140 gallons and I run 4,000 +/- gallons every year though it. Tank has a sump from which the fuel is drawn out and the tank is spotless inside. If you are growing a biological garden in your fuel tank, it probably doesn't matter what you do either.

Ted

[hellosailor]

http://www.anl.gov/PCS/acsfuel/prepr...08-90_1207.pdf

From the generally objective and scholarly folks at the Argonne National Laboratories, an older Israeli study investigating the DEGRADATION OF DIESEL FUEL for startegic storage purposes.

And the NIH studied the degradation of diesel fuel in water, as a soil/ground contaminant, and also found significant DEGRADATION within months, fdrom the water and bacterial action.

So to say diesel doesn't degrade in storage, is a nice myth. In the real world, with moisture and critters, whether it breaks down, oxidizes, cooks off, or gets converted by enemy action, it AGES AND DEGRADES.

Adding biocides and stabilants, and trying to keep out water and air, are proven to help.

If you've had ancient diesel fuel and it worked just fine, good for you. That doesn't mean your engine liked it, or that it won't ruin the injectors and high pressure pump for someone else. It just means you have a tolerant engine and good luck.

[Philsboat]

I've been thinking of trying this for the winter.Pull the vent line for the tank off the vent fitting.Find a funnel that would fit the vent line and stick the funnel in the line.Put a plastic bag over the funnel and tape it to the vent line.Now you won't have moisture condensing in the tank as the temperature changes and the tank heats and cools.
Silly or what?

Phil