Refueler
Well-Known Member
It would need an appreciable length of time to go "stale" ... that is lose some of it's cetane or to gumm up. It's not an issue for most people.
Is Red now dead asks a voice from the temporary grave
- Thread starter BrendanChandler
- Start date
It would need an appreciable length of time to go "stale" ... that is lose some of it's cetane or to gumm up. It's not an issue for most people.
emsworthy
Well-Known Member
Sorry to labour the point but you are without doubt an expert in this field.
How long is an appreciable length of time? The diesel in our tank has been sat there for about 4 years ashore since the previous owners last used it. It is a plastic tank and roughly half full. The level is clearly visible through the walls of the tank and it looks almost black in colour. Is this normal?
Having said all of that, following a thorough service the engine starts first time, runs sweetly with no "lumpiness" and we have run it for about an hour on and off since then (still out of the water at present).
My thoughts are, drain the tank and clean. Use some form of treatment on it. Top it up with clean fuel. Do nothing. Any views?
Many thanks.
Refueler
Well-Known Member
If the tank has not been contaminated - then whats problem ? If engine runs well ... go for it.
Some blends are heavy on particulate or gumming components. These can affect storage. Usually based on what market the fuel is being sold into and use of lower quality components.
Colour of fuel looking through a plastic tank is ???? only real way to check is draw off into a clean clear glass bottle and sight in natural light. You'll probably find it's more brown than black then.
I would use and top up as necessary. Maybe check filters while it's being used up ... and change when used or before. You could add a bit of bio in case but remember that creates sludge from killing the organism ...
If you saw the fuel I use in my boat - you'd be horrified. It's a mix of all sorts of heating oils, LCO's, road diesels, low grade gasoils ... colour is chocolate brown usually. Cetane is about 4 points down than it should be. I'm not paying out for fuel when I can use up old samples out of the lab !! Just means I change filters each year instead of every 5 years !!
Some blends are heavy on particulate or gumming components. These can affect storage. Usually based on what market the fuel is being sold into and use of lower quality components.
Colour of fuel looking through a plastic tank is ???? only real way to check is draw off into a clean clear glass bottle and sight in natural light. You'll probably find it's more brown than black then.
I would use and top up as necessary. Maybe check filters while it's being used up ... and change when used or before. You could add a bit of bio in case but remember that creates sludge from killing the organism ...
If you saw the fuel I use in my boat - you'd be horrified. It's a mix of all sorts of heating oils, LCO's, road diesels, low grade gasoils ... colour is chocolate brown usually. Cetane is about 4 points down than it should be. I'm not paying out for fuel when I can use up old samples out of the lab !! Just means I change filters each year instead of every 5 years !!
emsworthy
Well-Known Member
Thank you
Thanks for the advice.
Having now searched the archives of past posts, with aplogies for making you repeat stuff you've already said many times over (I'll search first next time), I think I will remove the tank, treat it with a debugger and then after a couple of days syphon off the top only. I'll then give the tank a damn good clean and rinse with petrol and refill with the treated fuel and a top up with good clean stuff. oh, and then replace the fuel filter as well.
Sound like a plan?
Thanks for the advice.
Having now searched the archives of past posts, with aplogies for making you repeat stuff you've already said many times over (I'll search first next time), I think I will remove the tank, treat it with a debugger and then after a couple of days syphon off the top only. I'll then give the tank a damn good clean and rinse with petrol and refill with the treated fuel and a top up with good clean stuff. oh, and then replace the fuel filter as well.
Sound like a plan?