Anyone had issues with diesel/heating oil going bad??

90cummins · May 8, 2015

We have heated with oil for 60 years and never had problems with it.
I have been using it in my tractor for 20 years and never an issue.
I've heard that the new low sulfur diesel doe not keep as well as the old formula.
I keep (2) 275 gallon tanks topped up and have and additional 3 sealed 55 gallon drums of heating oil.
I do date them and rotate using the oldest first.
I top up my tank when the price goes down and have had to add a drum on occasion to make the minimum purchase.
My tanks are inside and not exposed to temperature changes and the drums are sealed.
Is there any truth to this?
If so what is your solution? Limit fuel stored or additive's?

Thanks 90cummins

Sawyer Rob · May 8, 2015

I also have NEVER had a problem, new old or other wise and I don't use additives either... Same with my neighbor, my brother and my friends.....NONE of us have had even one problem.

Keep the water out and you won't have a problem.

SR

TheSeeker · May 9, 2015

Have 10 year old off road diesel in the tank in basement of a hunting cabin in central PA. Gets hot in summer cold in winter. Works just perfectly still. Fill up tank again for next 5-10 years.

Gary Fowler · May 10, 2015

Keep water out and you wont need any additives other than perhaps some anti-gel if you are operating your tractor in freezing weather. I haven't used any in my tractors and they all seem to work ok in our winter weather (coldest has been 17F)

RalphVa · May 10, 2015

Can't believe anyone who says the ULSD or heating oil is worse than the old stuff. I'd think it should last MUCH longer, particularly if you keep it and water separate. Gotta be a lot less reactive chemicals left in the new low sulfur stuff with the added hydrotreating that it is getting. This will make it much more chemically stable than any old diesel or heating oil.

Ralph

MHarryE · May 10, 2015

RalphVa said:
Can't believe anyone who says the ULSD or heating oil is worse than the old stuff. I'd think it should last MUCH longer, particularly if you keep it and water separate. Gotta be a lot less reactive chemicals left in the new low sulfur stuff with the added hydrotreating that it is getting. This will make it much more chemically stable than any old diesel or heating oil. Ralph

Depends on where you live. Agricultural states demand high bio content and that has caused difficulty. Example here in Minnesota B20 is required except from November through March when I believe it drops to B2 due to bio problems being especially bad in winter. Now being a grower of crops used to make bio diesel - it's a tough call.

90cummins · May 12, 2015

MHarryE said:
Depends on where you live. Agricultural states demand high bio content and that has caused difficulty. Example here in Minnesota B20 is required except from November through March when I believe it drops to B2 due to bio problems being especially bad in winter. Now being a grower of crops used to make bio diesel - it's a tough call.

It makes sense now!
This discussion came about when I was talking to my bil and his son about emergency stand-by home generator's.
I'm using a diesel generator with battery backup while he was adamant about propane because of diesel issues.
That is when he that told me about diesel going bad, he is a mechanic for National Grid and they use Bio-Diesel which has been a real PITA!
He also mentioned that they had to take the strainer out of the bulk fuel tank in order to get it to pump in the winter then there were the issues it causes with the vehicles.
Don't know why he said (diesel) is an issue.
I will continue to do what I have done for years.
It's peace of mind having enough on hand for my vehicles, generator and heating if needed.

90cummins

Dr_Zinj · May 12, 2015

Only time I've ever had a problem was when water leaked into a in-ground storage tank and got into the fuel. That was a God-awful mess. Didn't run right, and all kinds of black soot from incomplete combustion.

Industrial Toys · May 12, 2015

Agree with others. Water is usually the culprit. As far as the guy who insists on propane as an emergency generator fuel, over Diesel, that guy needs to get slapped around some and set straight! lol

Shadow99688 · May 18, 2015

should be no problems with storage as long as you keep contaminants out. I've had 300 gallons of #1 diesel in 2 150 gallon tanks for over 5 years in alaska without a problem.

there is an issue with the Ultra low sulfur diesel, it does not lubricate like the old diesel and engines are showing more wear, up on the north slope they are having upper ends of engines going out.
had a report from cummings that ULSD reduces life of the engine.