Fuel that has been sat in the tank. Advice sought.

[A_Sails_Pace]

I know some people say that there is no such thing as a stupid question, though this feels a little like it might be one. That said, I'd appreciate some advice.

I am replacing my damaged fuel tank. My current (broken), half full, 90L fuel tank has been sat there whilst we've been out of the water, since October. Would the general advice be to bin it (properly of course) or to transfer to new tank? I'm worried about the recent months condensation/water build up etc - you know, just the general state of the fuel.

Can't help but feel it's a waste to get rid, but then if it's that, or potentially harming my engine then there's no real decision to be made of course.

Any advice appreciated.

 

[billyfish]

Be fine, don't go to the bottom of the tank. Leave the water behind

 

[Minerva]

4 months old - nah, it’ll be reet.

if you want to be super careful, transfer the fuel between tanks using a fuel pump and filter.

 

[Trident]

Racor do a water separating funnel so just pump or pour it through that to get any nasties out but it should be fine anyway. The funnels are about £20 and I use mine every time I fill up from any source just to give extra protection

 

[vyv_cox]

Last September I returned to my boat in Greece after three years' absence. The fuel tank was 3/4 full of untreated diesel. I sampled the bottom of the tank with my Pela, found no sludge and started the engine. It ran perfectly and continued to do so, using all that tank-full.

Main point is that I know my filler cap does not allow water in, but in any case it is covered by my waterproof cockpit cover.

 

[NormanS]

I know some people say that there is no such thing as a stupid question, though this feels a little like it might be one. That said, I'd appreciate some advice.

I am replacing my damaged fuel tank. My current (broken), half full, 90L fuel tank has been sat there whilst we've been out of the water, since October. Would the general advice be to bin it (properly of course) or to transfer to new tank? I'm worried about the recent months condensation/water build up etc - you know, just the general state of the fuel.

Can't help but feel it's a waste to get rid, but then if it's that, or potentially harming my engine then there's no real decision to be made of course.

Any advice appreciated.

Many of us deliberately fill our tanks when laying up in the Autumn.

 

[A_Sails_Pace]

Many of us deliberately fill our tanks when laying up in the Autumn.

Thanks. I too would have done that. As I had said though, the fuel tank was damaged. Couldn't fill anything over the half way mark due to it rupturing (slight crack).

 

[A_Sails_Pace]

Thanks all.

I'll definitely keep a hold of the remaining diesel in that case, whilst taking some of the advice above in the process.

Much appreciated.

A.S.P

 

[Buck Turgidson]

If the boat has been motionless for any length of time any water in the fuel will have separated to the bottom as diesel has a lower specific gravity (is less dense) than water. You can either drain the water from the bottom (if there is a drain) or be careful to syphon from the bottom into a waste container first, looking for water and then decant the rest of the fuel.

 

[Close hauled]

I’d go with filtering it through a Racor funnel ( very effective)and then adding Startron Diesel Tank Cleaner(also very effective)

 

[Refueler]

I know some people say that there is no such thing as a stupid question, though this feels a little like it might be one. That said, I'd appreciate some advice.

I am replacing my damaged fuel tank. My current (broken), half full, 90L fuel tank has been sat there whilst we've been out of the water, since October. Would the general advice be to bin it (properly of course) or to transfer to new tank? I'm worried about the recent months condensation/water build up etc - you know, just the general state of the fuel.

Can't help but feel it's a waste to get rid, but then if it's that, or potentially harming my engine then there's no real decision to be made of course.

Any advice appreciated.

October 2022 ?????

If it was October 1922 - then I would say bin it !!

Fuel sits in my boat tank from end of season - Late October through to mid April .... I throw some enzyme additive in at end of season ... and at start of season ....

That's it. Nothing more. If I really feel energetic - I may get my Pela and suck up a bit of bottom to see what its like.

Because you are changing tank ..... get some clean containers - transfer that 40 - 45lts to them. Throw some enzyme based additive in ... let settle while you work on fitting new tank.
Once tank is in ... run the fuel through a filter ... leave behind any settled gunk / water .... dose with additive again and add to new tank... add fresh fuel as well with a dose of additive ... and enjoy your new tank.

 

[Refueler]

I’d go with filtering it through a Racor funnel ( very effective)and then adding Startron Diesel Tank Cleaner(also very effective)

If you are going to use Startron - then use the Enzyme Bug Killer ... no need for a cleaner in a new tank.

 

[Close hauled]

Agreed - I meant to treat the the old fuel before putting g in the new tank. Kill bugs and slime.

 

[Spanjaard]

I know some people say that there is no such thing as a stupid question, though this feels a little like it might be one. That said, I'd appreciate some advice.

I am replacing my damaged fuel tank. My current (broken), half full, 90L fuel tank has been sat there whilst we've been out of the water, since October. Would the general advice be to bin it (properly of course) or to transfer to new tank? I'm worried about the recent months condensation/water build up etc - you know, just the general state of the fuel.

Can't help but feel it's a waste to get rid, but then if it's that, or potentially harming my engine then there's no real decision to be made of course.

Any advice appreciated.

How long do you think the diesel inside the tanks of the fuel berths have been lying around on winter?

If you are worried and you are around the east coast I am more than happy to collect those 45 litres for free.

 

[Refueler]

How long do you think the diesel inside the tanks of the fuel berths have been lying around on winter?

If you are worried and you are around the east coast I am more than happy to collect those 45 litres for free.

Are you aware of the time frame fuel can be from Refinery to forecourt ?

It can range from weeks to many months ...

 

[Spanjaard]

Are you aware of the time frame fuel can be from Refinery to forecourt ?

It can range from weeks to many months ...

I couldn't care less. My Bukh dv20 is like a german incinerator. It burns everything, Even whisky.

 

[RunAgroundHard]

If it was me, I would bin the fuel. By the time I had removed the tank, fitted a new one, the last thing I would want to do is mess about cleaning fuel from an old tank and adding it to my new tank. Fill with fresh fuel and dose with an enzyme additive. In the grand scheme of the job, 45 litres of fuel from the old tank is not expensive to replace.

 

[Graham376]

The fuel in my tank (road diesel dosed with Fuel Set) is at least 4 years old and engine and Eber are running fine. If OP's old fuel looks fine and no water or crud has settled at the bottom then I would use it.

 

[Luminescent]

So far as I can tell... as long as the fuel hasn't separated and hasn't turned to sludge... it should be pretty good to go. Might want to top up with some fresh. If it's turned to sludge, it's going to be a headache to get out, if it's separated, remove as much water as possible and then top up with fresh.

 

[A_Sails_Pace]

How long do you think the diesel inside the tanks of the fuel berths have been lying around on winter?

If you are worried and you are around the east coast I am more than happy to collect those 45 litres for free.

Ha ha, thanks. What I was a little worried about was the possible constant condensation building up throughout the colder months because the tank was only half full and where there was plenty of space for moisture to gather. I think that was my thinking really.