What creates "bad diesel" fuel ?

ovrszd · Jan 3, 2022

ROUSTABOUT said:
I have a Mack truck here and have been running it lately. Bought it ten years ago but haven't needed it. Fuel was 5 years old 10 years ago. We got it to put a log loader on the back of it, but the other truck kept going longer than we thought. It still cranks and runs fine. We had to put a front bumper on it with a fold up leg that holds the boom of the loader up as it goes past the front bumper at rest. Then we have to be able to fold it down to tilt hood.

I don't relate fuel problems with the specific age of the fuel. I relate it to contamination during storage, hauling, transfer.

Imagine an above ground storage tank that's half full or near empty. Imagine it sits that way for long periods of time. Right now our air temp is 10F, bright sunshine. What's going on inside that tank as the Sun heats it? Maybe that tank is never full. Maybe it does this process every single day. Would the old fuel that's there tend to get contaminated? Then imagine the contaminates that are added whenever more fuel is added? Pretty soon there are "new lifeforms" starting in there. We already know algae thrives in Diesel Fuel.

ovrszd · Jan 3, 2022

Tx Jim said:
I've been custom farming since 1987. I've added newly acquired diesel to fuel that's been in tractor tank for months. I've very rarely had a fuel condition problem.

I've never had a problem either. When parking my tractors for any length of time I top off the tank to reduce condensation caused by our large temp swings here.

My Brother got algae in his storage tank several years ago. It was horrific. Contaminated all of his equipment before he admitted that was the problem. He kept blaming the fuel he bought. I kept telling him it was his storage. Me being the "Little Brother", he didn't listen. By Fall every diesel he owned was having problems.

One time of algae and you'll become a convert to fuel management. Same goes for gelling. One time. That's all it takes.

AWSubie · Jan 3, 2022

If a sufficient amount of water gets into the tank, bacteria and fungi can proliferate in the water while using the diesel as a food source. Waste biproducts from the microbial activity form a sludge that will clog filters.

You’ve probably heard the phrase “keep your powder dry”. In tractor terms the phrase becomes “keep your fuel dry”.

ROUSTABOUT · Jan 3, 2022

ovrszd said:
I don't relate fuel problems with the specific age of the fuel. I relate it to contamination during storage, hauling, transfer.

Imagine an above ground storage tank that's half full or near empty. Imagine it sits that way for long periods of time. Right now our air temp is 10F, bright sunshine. What's going on inside that tank as the Sun heats it? Maybe that tank is never full. Maybe it does this process every single day. Would the old fuel that's there tend to get contaminated? Then imagine the contaminates that are added whenever more fuel is added? Pretty soon there are "new lifeforms" starting in there. We already know algae thrives in Diesel Fuel.

Truck has been half full for 15 years. We havent done any running but just to crank and move it.

arto98607 · Jan 3, 2022

SARG said:
Several years ago I experienced a summer of "frequent" fuel filter changes. On the T1530 NH that I cut several fields with I had to change the filter often. The machine would just not maintain power & speed. After the filter change it would immediately be back to spec.
I was buying my diesel at the same location that year and when I finally decided that my filter issues were caused by the fuel I was using I changed to another source ................. and the issues went away. I've only changed the filter once in the last two years and the symptom is the rpm drop & power loss.
I'm suspicious that something in the fuel "coats" the filter. Anyone else have similar problems ?

I add Biobor biocide when buying off-road Diesel fuel, run it through Goldenrod filter when filling up my tractor or mowers and have never had problems using even over 10 years old fuel.

It's nice to be able to buy a bunch when it's cheap.

SARG · Jan 3, 2022

I currently utilize Howes, Power Service & Lucas treatments with my "stored" 30 gallons of diesel for the winter months. Based on the posts here so far I shall continue.

ovrszd · Jan 3, 2022

ROUSTABOUT said:
Truck has been half full for 15 years. We havent done any running but just to crank and move it.

Yep. Good friend of mine has an old Dump Truck the same way.

I can hang around friends who have a Cold and not get it either. But some day I will if I put myself in that position enough times.

So I'm conscious of how I handle and treat my fuel. I've never had algae issues. Gelled once.

Rebeldad1 · Jan 3, 2022

Use on road diesel for my Powerstroke. Always buy fuel from a high volume station. Dont use the truck much but always try to run the tank out by winter and fill with new fuel and additives. Fuel filter has always been like new for over 20 years.

Use off road red plus additives for the tractor and excavator. Fill a tank and keep the tank out of the weather. Never a issue here either.

Just like everything..... Maintain it and it will serve you well.

ROUSTABOUT · Jan 3, 2022

ovrszd said:
Yep. Good friend of mine has an old Dump Truck the same way.

I can hang around friends who have a Cold and not get it either. But some day I will if I put myself in that position enough times.

So I'm conscious of how I handle and treat my fuel. I've never had algae issues. Gelled once.

I'm 52 and have only heard of the bio diesel problem. Never heard of anyone having algae problem. Though I have known for years that there is such a problem out there somewhere. We have a gravity tank here. Dealt with stored fuel all my life. Even have my grandpa's tank from when he used to operate a road grader. Never had fuel problems. Never changed a filter because I had to, only because it was that time of year.