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Old 07-12-2008, 14:32   #1
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Old diesel fuel

I have a 5 gallon jerry can I filled with diesel about 2 yrs ago. Is there anyway of telling if it is still good other than putting it in the fuel tank? I heard that gasoline goes bad and I have heard the diesel turns to microscopic sludge.

Or is it better to just dispose of the fuel? I bought it for my Jetta to ensure that I do not run out of fuel, but at 48+ miles per gallon and two years later, I figure it is time to recycle it or use it.

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Old 07-12-2008, 14:40   #2
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1) According to the experts diesel fuel starts to go bad after a year.

2) I have seen boats leave the dock with 7 year old fuel in the tanks and no problems noted...
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Old 07-12-2008, 14:57   #3
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5 gallons depending on the size of your fuel tank, should not be an issue, HOWEVER, I would check on the dock and find someone with a Baha filter and pass it through that instead of just dumping it in.
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Old 07-12-2008, 15:09   #4
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Did not even think of using a filter. Off to Google Baja!

Thanks


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Old 07-12-2008, 15:09   #5
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dump it in the Jetta and go
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Old 07-12-2008, 15:16   #6
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I've run on diesel that was more than 6 years old, no problem. The next batch that went in went bad after 4 months. I had to open the inspection lid to the tank every other day and suck up all the jelly, that's how fast it grew. The diesel I used was what they call city diesel here, it's part RME. This summer I emptied the tank, cleaned it with alcohol and filled it up with marine grade diesel. On the city diesel crap, the engine was doing 450 rpm on idle (if it ran at all) so I had to tune it up. With the marine grade diesel it was suddenly going 1100 rpm, so I had to turn it down again Whar´t I'm trying to say is that it depends on the diesel. Pour it in a clear container first and inspect it. If it's clean, use it, if not, don't! Don't clean it and use it, it will contaminate your tank, just dispose of it.

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Old 07-12-2008, 15:34   #7
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If you are in the States don't get caught putting off-road/marine diesl in your vehicle.

At least in Maryland
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Old 07-12-2008, 15:44   #8
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Chief, Are the diesel police at it again up there?
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Old 07-12-2008, 16:58   #9
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I have been running off the same fuel now for four years. It is no longer red but it is well filtered and there have been no problems. When I bought the boat the fuel was 3 years old and the tanks were full, many people told me to have it pumped out because I should not run it in my brand new engine but the color was still red and it was well filtered. I have not had any fuel problems.
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Old 07-12-2008, 17:07   #10
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Dilution is the solution to pollution. Just dump it in a, almost, full diesel tank after running it thru a Baja filter. The boat will never know!

Old fuels just need regeneration, if not contaminated with water. The solvents evaporate out.
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Old 07-12-2008, 21:07   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by never monday View Post
dump it in the Jetta and go
If it is not good for the Perkins, why on earth would I want to gum up the Jetta engine??

I did not know there is a difference between Marine grade diesel and Land diesel.

thanks for the responses -- appreciate the help.

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Old 07-12-2008, 21:14   #12
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Originally Posted by MV View Post
If it is not good for the Perkins, why on earth would I want to gum up the Jetta engine??

I did not know there is a difference between Marine grade diesel and Land diesel.

thanks for the responses -- appreciate the help.

Michael
there's nothing wrong with it if it's not contaminated. I've been paid to pump out documented 9 year old fuel. All 15 gal of it went up the dock and in my 03 TDi wagon I had at the time.

Marine fuel is red dyed. It doesn't have the tax component in it. So using it on the highway, if caught can result in a fine of 10k
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Old 07-12-2008, 21:27   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by never monday View Post
there's nothing wrong with it if it's not contaminated. I've been paid to pump out documented 9 year old fuel. All 15 gal of it went up the dock and in my 03 TDi wagon I had at the time.

Marine fuel is red dyed. It doesn't have the tax component in it. So using it on the highway, if caught can result in a fine of 10k

Thanks for posting that NM...Iv' growen tired of trying to convince people...Im hoping some day someone wants me to empty a couple hundred gallons out myself..
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Old 07-12-2008, 21:28   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by never monday View Post

Marine fuel is red dyed. It doesn't have the tax component in it. So using it on the highway, if caught can result in a fine of 10k
AHHHHHHHH!!!!!
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