Oil & Fuel how long to store diesel?

[2516mo]

I know the problems with storing gas and the problems that causes, but have not heard much about storing diesel. With fuel prices they are it is tempting to have a little more on hand. What are some good rules to follow with diesel.
Thanks!

 

[Thomas]

I keep my diesel off cement floor/ground couple inches or so less chance of condensation.

 

[stuckmotor]

This has come up before. The links to similar thread that appear below this one might help.
Sometimes it's easier for me to post a question and look at the links that pop up than to find them in a search.

 

[2516mo]

Thanks for the heads up...It didn't occur to me to keep it off the floor...will get that fixed!

 

[oldballs]

The turn over of diesel is unpredictable in my case, i.e. just being a homeowner. Thus, for example, without much snow so far this season the tractor just sits week after week. Yet, after six years experience in the matter, I've found that my 25 gallons of either summer or winter diesel goes from season to season without any complications. I put the white bottle of Power Service in every 5 gallon container after bringing it to my shed. I store it outdoors on a wood pallet year 'round.
Cheers,
Mike

 

[s219]

Add a biocide and anti-gel if you live in a cold climate, and you should get at least 2-3 years out of it. Best option is to keep the tank topped off so there is no place for condensation to form.

 

[JerryK]

Like the above post, the best thing you can do is keep all tanks/fuel cans as full as possible. The moisture is in the air, and the less air the better... Supposeably diesel will 'store' better than gas, but I like fresh fuel. I park my Dodge Cummins each winter [ to keep it out of as much salt as possible ] with a full tank and some Power Service. In the spring, I take it out for a maiden cruise and feel like a kid with a new bike. But the first time I have to fill up with fresh fuel.... there is definitely a different smell... and more snap [ motor sounds more crisp when she fires ] in the new fuel.

 

[BarnieTrk]

I keep my diesel off cement floor/ground couple inches or so less chance of condensation.

I don't think it is a matter of keeping your storage can/tank off the ground, I think it is more a matter of controlling the temperature swing between the fuel and the surrounding air. Rather than worrying about whether or not the storage vessel is touching the ground - I'd be more concerned with keeping it shielded from the Sun and keeping an 'insulating cushion' of air around it.

If you keep your fuel tank out of direct Sunlight, then it is less apt to gain radiate heat. Once heated, then when "the Sun goes away" the fuel tank cools causing outside air to be drawn in through the tank vent. In addition, if your fuel tank is not vented - and it's sealed tight - it CANNOT draw in moisture-containing outside air nor allow the lighter hydrocarbon components from separating & evaporating out. You just must be sure the container can withstand the pressure changes/buildup when the fuel is heated or it could begin leaking or even burst. A 55-gallon drum outfitted with good bung plugs is a great storage vessel and can be sealed up tight preventing components from leaving or moisture from moving in.

While it is true that temperature gains & losses can & will occur to a fuel storage tank when sitting on the ground, these temperature swings can & will occur when on a pallet with air all around it as well. If your storage vessel must be vented, then the next best thing to do is control the temperature of the air around the storage tank. Draping a tarp over a tank helps, but if the tarp is touching the tank, temperature changes will still be conducted into the fuel tank. A silver tarp is better than a black tarp. Ideally, if you maintain at least an inch or two of air space between the tank and the outside Sun shield (tarp), there should be minimal temperature gains/losses. So, Keep the Sun off of your storage vessels & keep them sealed up to the point of not causing it to leak/burst.

These are kinda pricey, but they work! 2 Inch VGII® Steel Pressure-Relieving Drum Vent Plug | Drum Plug | Vent Plug | Steel Drum Yep, these plugs are not drip-proof, so you have to store the drums in an upright position. I like the fact they only let pressure out - releasing at 9psi, and re-sealing at 3psi, thus, do NOT let moist air in. One more thing, if using 55-gallon drums for storage, try to prevent water from sitting on their tops. Water will rust the tops and bung plugs; and ice built up inside a spring-loaded bung plug is not what you want either! But this isn't a problem if you have maintained your tarp shield over the drums, correct? :2cents:

I agree with the suggestion made by 's219',,, I also would add a biocide and anti-gel. Around here, a drum of fuel is worth too much $$ not to treat it!

BarnieTrk :dance1:

 

[oldballs]

Barnie makes some good points that I use for storage viz., my shed is among the pine trees which prevents such a wide swing in temperature. The 5 gallon containers, on a wood homemade pallet just 2 inches off the ground, are surrounded by a silver tarp draped over another piece of plywood. For a small usage homeowner this works for me. If one was using a lot more fuel, this would be a PITA. I log about 100 hours per season.

 

[Beltzington]

When diesel got below $3/Gal I bought another 55-gal metal drum to increase my storage capacity to 160 gallons. I have two drums and one 50-gal pickup bed tank I primarily use to haul fuel from the station to the property. I have found I typically use about 60gals/year in my tractor and have had no problem with using fuel as old as two years. I treat the fresh diesel with a double dose of PS white and use an electric pump with a water filter to fill the tractor. In the last 5-years I have never seen any water accumulate in the filter so I do not believe condensation is that big of issue. However both my tanks are protected from the sun and wx. I believe the temp change discussion is dead on concerning condensation. My biggest concern about adding more fuel storage was fire hazard however it occurred to me there would not be much difference in the damage caused by 50 or 200 gallons of diesel.

 

[Gary Fowler]

I have heard of diesel tractors that sat with fuel in the tank for 30+ years and still fired up using that old fuel. Likely it didn't have the full power of fresh fuel, but diesel doesn't degrade nearly as fast as gasoline even without any treatment.

I keep my diesel tank inside my totally enclosed but unheated shed, not exposed to sunlight or fast temperature changes. I have never seen any condensation in the tank. Recently I put into service a 275 gallon tote tank for extra storage. When fuel prices bottom out, I plan to fill it and my 100 gallon steel tank completely with fuel. It should last me 3-4 years without any issues.

 

[radioman]

IMHO, I dont think anyone should store diesel more then what they can use in a year. For the amount of cost it takes to add additives, pumping, time, new filters due to plugged up from anything from gelling to algae to water. Its seems to be cheaper to use what you can in 6 months to a year. Why buy diesel that lasts you 2-5 years just to save cents to a dollar when you gotta worry about freshness and additives and filtering it. If I can predict the gas/diesel prices better then gas buddy- I would be storing up fuel too, but sadly I cannot. At this point of time, gas is still going down to hit rock bottom this year but how much will it rise before the of year which is the million dollar question.
Does anyone remember diesel was cheaper then gas? around here in NYS, diesel is still too high IMO - and I hope it will go down. I just dont understand why it takes less energy to make diesel - but it costs more then gas. dont give me the supply/demand bs .

So - as for me I am going to gamble and wait till spring/summer to stock up on diesel for 6-12 months in hopes the prices for diesel will keep dropping till then. I am a small diesel user so a 55 gallon barrel will suffice for me.

 

[BarnieTrk]

I have heard of diesel tractors that sat with fuel in the tank for 30+ years and still fired up using that old fuel.

I've heard the same stories as the one you stated above - BUT - those stories are of fuel that was produced 30yrs ago!

I understand I have no proof - but I am fully convinced that the producers do not make diesel fuel the same way nor does it result in the same blend of hydrocarbons as they did 30+yrs ago. I believe the producers intend for the fuels produced today to "be good" for a much shorter time. Even with the use of treatment additives, I believe they buy the consumer some time, but not years.

I'm in agreement with 'radioman'....and even if I had the means to store more, I would only store enough fuel to carry me for 6-12 months.

Beltzington & Gary Fowler - I wish you guys luck in your plans to have multiple years worth of fuel storage...... please keep us posted on your results.

"Your Mileage May Vary"
BarnieTrk :dance1:

 

[doxford jim]

I have a tank full of dyed diesel that is maybe 16 years old. It is the fuel supply to my standby/backup generator and is stored in a 250 gallon home oil furnace tank. I have topped the fuel off now and again using artic diesel (for -40 weather) and have added some treatment but not much.
The generator runs fine and starts easily with a good battery and doesn't smoke under load.
As long as the fuel storage tank is out of the weather and kept full, you should be fine with long term storage. I guess a lot depends also, on the fuel source - not every vender is clean or cares as they should.
Attached foto of my storage.

 

[Teikas Dad]

In addition to anti-gel and biocide -

 

[Texan4Life]

In addition to anti-gel and biocide -

View attachment 405213

Yep Sta-Bil for diesel and you will get over 10 years IMO.

I personally have run 1000 gallons of 12 year old untreated diesel with no problems other than needing to change the fuel filter a few times.

 

[Gary Fowler]

While you less than 6 month old storage guys were paying up to $4 per gallon, I was running just fine on my $2.68 per gallon diesel. I will get it cheaper than that when I fill up this time. I expect a strong surge in prices when this issue with Russia gets resolved and the artificial pricing goes away. The oil companies will make up for lost revenue when they can.

 

[Gary Fowler]

OH YEAH, in regard to fuel filters, I changed my Kubota B26 filter for the first time at a bit over 400 hours. I have 425 on my 2009 RTV on the original filter. I think I may change it next year just to have a look at what it has trapped. Fuel tank filter has been changed one time in 5 years and I don't think it really needed it then.

 

[BarnieTrk]

Another point worth repeating here -- Not all fuel is "created equal". I'm not referring to the Winter blend vs. Summer blend fuel. But based on what others have said, the available fuel on the east coast, west coast, southwest, Canada, etc. is NOT all created equal. The only explanation I can decipher is that apparently some fuel distributors add / request some additives to their fuel while others do not. Here are some of those observations: http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/oil-fuel-lubricants/324983-favorite-diesel-fuel-additives.html :confused2:

You are obviously paying attention to maintaining the quality of your fuel, Gary, and I am envious of your "good fuel fortunes'. But also consider yourself lucky, because I don't believe I have the same hand of cards to play with as you do...as I believe my available fuel may very well not be as good to start with..... :2cents:

BarnieTrk