deisel fuel old

Ron Schroeder

Could have a lot of slime (bacteria)in it.

Plan on changing filters.

Bill_49

20 year old desiel fuel

How do you know when desiel fuel is any good.

Thanks Bill

Brad White_9

I would not use it

Generally when storing diesel for any time over several months to a year, it is recommended that a conditioner be added.

I do not know how it might be assayed for quality and if the cost would be worth it (unless it is a lot). I am sure others know.

Most diesel tanks I specify are for generators and we size them for so many hours at full load but also such that normal weekly or monthly exercise tests depletes it well within the year so as to keep it fresh. Just a point of reference.

I understand that bacteria grows in it, plus condensation/moisture which will settle to the bottom.

Even at today's fuel prices, I would give it to someone that can burn waste oil, something that may tolerate some contaminants. I am sure others have ideas, but I would not use that especially in an engine.

Weezbo

Depends how it was stored.

unlike gasoline, oil maintains its integrity....as an example, a friend went to fire up some equipment abandoned by US military he opened up the fuel oil barrels from WWII, vroom. it doesnt sour like gasoline...

it depends also on the use. my old tractor 450 will burn old oil without any noticeable change in stroke or power,using it in a critical care unit or hospital electrical generation system , i might do were the fuel filtered ,circulated and able to be heated or pressurised prior to the atomization and combustion process especially if it were needed, fresh fuel would soon be available and i had determined its ability to produce a steady atomized flame. Waste oil burners,incinerators would not struggle with the fuel like a new Nox burner. i didn't mean to drag your head around the block on this answer or contradict anyone else,that is my experience.

one other thing that may be of interest,i have pulled old fuel oil pumps out of 55 gallon barrels ,left in the weather for over ten years though sealed,with old diesil in them and it burned ,did not clog the nozzel and may still be working to this day 17 years later. basically, it Depends....

ed wallace

old oil

I had a customer 3 yrs ago that for 15 yrs had heated with a wood stove still had 1/2 tank of oil that hadnt been used in 15 yrs he was in the house stuck tank no water detected ran oli burner till tank ran dry no problems

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Constantin

Not sure how you'd test...

... but I have been told that today's diesel and heating fuel are not as stable as they used to be due to advances in the chemical refineries.

Whereas the various components of raw oil used to be simply distilled under pressure and heat in a cracker, the newer techniques using catalysts and other tricks of the trade allegedly yield more "desirable" fuels at the cost of fuel stability.