Old Diesel Fuel

[Deere Dude]

I was given a 150 gallon round fuel oil drum with about 75 gallons of home heating fuel in it from about 20 years ago. I looked inside and the fuel visually seems alright. It is still potent because I threw a gallon on a bonfire and got the singed hair to prove it

The drain to the tank has a filter on it and it comes out pretty clear. Do you think it would be safe to use in a 2010 tractor or a 2002 truck or would I be better off throwing it away.

I know gas loses strength over time, but I don't know about diesel. Maybe I'm getting too cheap in these economic times.

 

[k0ua]

Hm.. good question.. I am no fuel guy, so don't pay any attention to me, but $300 is a lot to just "throw away" If it has no water, not dirty, and no algae in it. I might be inclined to try a bit in the tractor.

James K0UA

 

[smstonypoint]

The drain to the tank has a filter on it and it comes out pretty clear. Do you think it would be safe to use in a 2010 tractor or a 2002 truck or would I be better off throwing it away.

I personally wouldn't risk it in my tractor or UTV, but there may be another alternative. I switched from oil heat to a heat pump at my farmhouse a few years ago. I contacted my oil company and they pumped out the tank and paid me the going price for the fuel, less a pickup fee. I'm hazy on the fee, but I think it was $50.

Steve

 

[rsewill]

Likely it is fine but I would filter it because of crud from the tank, condensation, etc. Fuel oil lasts a very long time.

 

[Wnc3]

I think I would only use it in a true Old style mechanical injector pump engine.
Or a torpedo / salamander heater.

 

[90cummins]

I was given a 150 gallon round fuel oil drum with about 75 gallons of home heating fuel in it from about 20 years ago. I looked inside and the fuel visually seems alright. It is still potent because I threw a gallon on a bonfire and got the singed hair to prove it

The drain to the tank has a filter on it and it comes out pretty clear. Do you think it would be safe to use in a 2010 tractor or a 2002 truck or would I be better off throwing it away.

I know gas loses strength over time, but I don't know about diesel. Maybe I'm getting too cheap in these economic times.

Diesel fuel is quite stable and will keep for long periods of time if properly stored.
If you transported it home tilt the tank towards the filter & let it set a couple weeks to allow water & sediment to settle. After a couple weeks remove the filter & open the valve & take a sample, if there is any water in the fuel it will come out first. Discard any contaminated fuel.
Drain some (good) fuel into a clear container it should be clear not cloudy. If it looks good use it.
You can purchase a combination water/particulate filter @ tractor supply to further filter the fuel of any remaining contaminates or just reinstall the original filter.
You can also add some power service or other diesel additive as precautionary.

Tim

 

[Gary Fowler]

Assuming that you properly filter it to remove any contaminants, it is likely better fuel than you can buy today for your tractor since it would still have all the lubricity of the sulfur in it. I seriously doubt it will have any algae in it since it has all the sulfur in it which effectively keeps algae from forming. Only the new stuff needs biocide added.
I would just run it thru my normal filter from TSC that I pass all my fuel thru and use it especially since you say the fuel is clear of any visible water.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Its a risk like anything. Screw up a injector or pump and you could be looking at a $1000 repair.

Chris

 

[Deere Dude]

Thanks for the input,

I think what I might do is tilt the tank like 90Cummins suggested and take a sample to make sure there isn't any water in it. Put a new filter on it, check it again and then use maybe a gallon or two in the tank of the tractor at every fill. Hopefully it would be diluted with good stuff. Possibly I might use a little conditioner of some sort. Maybe that would help.

 

[clemsonfor]

DO NOT put it in a modern deisel. Its high sulfer fuel and will screw up a modern engine emessions stuff.

I would however assuming it was filtered and had no water run it in my 30+ year old yanmar tractor or use it in the farm house oil burner furnace.