Stabilizer in Diesel fuel?

Mackinaw · Mar 14, 2004

I picked up some gas stabilizer yesterday, getting ready for spring. I bought it to use in all my gas powered equipment. Reading the label I noticed it was also recommended for diesels. Does anyone use this in their diesel motors? I buy my fuel 10 gallons at a time and it seems I've always got some left over in the fall. The product claims to keep fuel fresh for 12 months....if this is true I wouldn't have to worry about old fuel in the spring.

DFW · Mar 14, 2004

Machinaw, I've used Sta-bil (sp?) in alll my gas and diesel and never had a problem.

EastTexFrank · Mar 14, 2004

I don't use a whole lot of gas at the house. I keep it for the generator and the 2-stroke equipment. I put Sta-bil in the gas as soon as I get it home and rotate it every six months or so. I also use the Sta-bil variety for diesel engines on the 4 six gallon cans when I bring them home and before transfering it into the 30 gallon storage container (Handy gas caddy) for use. I've had no problem with either product and they seem to work as advertised.

cp1969 · Mar 14, 2004

Diesel has different storage problems than gasoline.

The evaporation of gasoline, leaving behind resins and varnish, is (I think) the primary problem with gasoline.

Diesel, for all practical purposes, doesn't evaporate. Diesel's primary storage problem is bacterial growth, which is made possible by water in the fuel. If you keep the water out, diesel can be stored for a long time, up to many years.

I think the active ingredient in Sta-bil must be something that elevates the evaporation point of gasoline. I doubt that it would do much for diesel.

5030 · Mar 14, 2004

For long term storage of diesel, especially through temperature changes which cause internal condensation, you want a biocide.

I saw some at TSC the other day, although I get mine from my bulk supplier.

It's the bacterial growth that happens to diesel. The bacteria causes a "slime" in the fuel that clogs filters and wreaks havoc on the injection system.

I only fill my bulk tank 1 time a year. I always add a biocide at that time. Never had a problem with fuel. As far as Stabil having a biocide, I don't think so. Usually biocides are stand alone products.

Mackinaw · Mar 14, 2004

EastTexFrank,

I also use the Sta-bil variety for diesel engines....

The product I bought was "Sta-bil" which states the intended use is for gas or diesel engines. Is there a "Sta-bil" just for diesel? Or is there a product which is just for diesel engines? I did read the lable again and it states nothing about bacterial growth, only moisture and varnishing. Thanks for the reply's...

5030 · Mar 14, 2004

Note:

Read previous post??

Mackinaw · Mar 14, 2004

Sorry 5030, didn't mean to confuse you. I was wondering if the product EastTexFrank was using was "Sta-bil" brand, if not what product brand name he was using. Thanks again...

cp1969 · Mar 14, 2004

If you're talking about diesel fuel that you bought in the Fall and want to use this year, you really don't need to treat it with anything.

I've had engines in snowblowers and chain saws that sat with fuel in them for a couple of years at a time and never had a problem with them. Diesel fuel is even less susceptible to age problems than gas. I have seen diesel fuel that had bacterial growth in it, but it was over ten years old.