Old diesel fuel

[Jimdril]

My D4 has been sitting for 6 or 7 years with a full tank of diesel fuel. Is this still good?

[7upuller]

Hey Jim,

My experience with old fuel is use it. Old fuel, in my opinion, will make white smoke when using it. After the tank full is used, fresh fuel will make it burn cleaner. I have experience algie groing in old fuel, but you should be able to see it while looking in the tank. Algie will plug filters, and they make an additive to use in the fuel to kill it. Use the old fuel, live with a little white smoke, then put fresh stuff in it.-glen

[4x6zh itzik]

I think you can use old diesel fuel
I mean the ordinary diesel engines (not common rail)
In the case of bacterial growth that can be seen floating in the tank
It looks like a floating dry tea

Itzik

[ol Grump]

I don't know for sure when the refineries started changing the diesel fuels but I have noticed in the last couple of years, it doesn't have the odor the older fuels did. Also, when the new stuff is spilled on concrete it seems to evaporate over a day or so, unlike the older fuels that when spilled, you had to clean up as it never did dry.

Unless you have something growing in the tank and don't mind changing fuel filters often, I'd go ahead and use what you have. I'd crack the drain valve at the bottom of the tank before starting the critter and see how much water and gunk comes out. Matter of fact, it's not a bad idea to do that a couple of times a year, even if you do keep the fuel tank filled.

If you still have doubts, you can always drain the fuel into a suitable container.

[Neil]

I ended up "donating" my old diesel to the local recycler. Figured I needed to drain the tank anyway to adjust the factory-fitted dent so what the heck. I did notice it had a markedly different smell to fresh diesel, in the same way that old gas has a different smell. It was easier for me to get rid of it. It was probably 8-10 years old.

Cheers,
Neil.

[Dan Pratt]

I have heard of a fuel treatment that when added to old fuel actually rejuevenates it back to good useable fuel. I cannot remember what brand it was, but it was interesting. I plan on doing that to my 5J fuel when I get it ready to run.

[zootownjeepguy]

Save that old diesel fuel if you have a suitable container to hold it in (an old 55 gallon drum works well). You may need it someday to use as a loose-juice for a stuck clutch or something.