Diesel fuel questions

Code54 · Sep 18, 2005

My 7610 is the first diesel I have ever owned and have some questions about the fuel and storage.

1) I bought 2 5 gal. yellow diesel cans at Home Depot, are these fine for keeping some extra fuel around the house?

2) Do I need to "treat" the fuel somehow?

3) What about water - I keep hearing about it and the fuel problems?

4) I was planning on leaving the cans in the house in the heated garage if it has to be temp. stable if not I would rather leave it outside in the shed - is the house safe??

5) Should I be doing anything special or am I missing anything?

Thank you

sixwarden9 · Sep 18, 2005

From experience and a little internet research:

I store my diesel fuel in 5 gallon cans. The shelf-life of diesel should be 3-6 months if left untreated. Notice I said should be. There are many variables and factors that lead to fuel degradation: temperature changes, moisture, etc. If you are using your fuel on a regular basis you should have no problems. If you keep your cans full (to the fill line) it will reduce condensation problems while still allowing for expansion. Long term storage of diesel without treatment can lead to algae growth. As far as fuel treatment, I treat my 2-cycle fuels (chainsaw, weedeater) because I can get fuel stabilizer pre-mixed with the oil and I do not use these fuels very fast. The shelf life on gasoline is about a month, so during the off season I treat my lawnmower gas as well.

To sum up my wordiness:

5 gallon cans are fine.

Outside storage is fine, preferably a well ventilated shaded area.

If you go through your cans on a regular basis, the added expense of fuel stablilizers probably will not be justified.

When in in doubt, if the fuel looks or smells wrong, if probalby is.

Egon · Sep 18, 2005

Adding a little Diesel fuel stabilizer will not hurt. Best place to store fuel will be outside.

Purchase your fuel from a supplier that is well patronized. Means you get fresh fuel and most likely clean fuel.

Half full/half empty tanks/storage containers may be suseptible to water condensation so keeping everything full is a good idea.

Egon

HGM · Sep 18, 2005

I agree completely with these other guys, I would also consider a filtered funnel just in case.

Junkman · Sep 18, 2005

If the containers are tightly capped, there is no problem with moisture accumulating in the containers. There is no reason not to keep them in the house, since it is not possible to ignite diesel unless it is atomized. Get a bottle of Power Service and use it with all your diesel and you will not have any problems. I have been using 2 year old home heating oil and it works just fine in my Kubota BX tractor. I also use Power Service.

Code54 · Sep 18, 2005

Thank you for all the info - makes me feel a lot better about the 5 gal. cans. Any advice on a product to treat the fuel with just incase it is going to sit (oh and where can I get it) Thank you again

ronjhall · Sep 18, 2005

Junkman recommended Power Service. I get it at Wally World.

ejtaylor822 · Sep 18, 2005

Hey Scott,
I have the same 2x 5 gal yellow containers from Home depot. Have had my tractor and these cans since May without any problems. The caps stay on tight and like someone else said this helps prevent condensation. My Jinma holds about 6 gallons, so, I usually empty a can at a time. It's very rare that I have one half full which also helps.

I keep mine stored in the garage, along with regular gas - about 35 gallons for the generator in case of emergencies (hurricanes & ice storms) and lawnmower, chainsaws, etc. The "emergency" generator gas I keep treated and cycle out about every 6 months. It's suppose to be good for a year, but, I just go with 6 months.

I would love to get my gas stored in secure building outside. There's something about pulling a hot running automobile into a garage with gas in it that totally freaks me out.

Code54 · Sep 18, 2005

I agree about the whole GAS in the house thing.... We have a small chicken coop without a single chicken so I think that is going to be my gas storage site for the tractor and extra generator fuel. We live out on a private gravel road and no one is EVER on it so I dont worry much about someone stealing it. Off to Wally world I go for the treatment... Thanks!