Old Diesel.

[supermalc]

It has often been discussed about old diesel, and fuel on this forum.

A couple of weeks ago, I helped a friend start a Tractor on a farm. The farmer had died 14 years ago, and to the best of our knowledge this tractor, an orange Nuffield (forget the model number) had not been started for at least this long. The tax disc was 20 years old, although it may have been used around the farm for a few years afterwards.

We couldn't find the key, so had to jump the solenoid, and don't know if the electrics work, but ........ The diesel tank was a little over half full. We topped the water up and bled the injector pump. I pumped lots of diesel through to clear it as much as possible. We changed the battery of course. The old battery was still in place, so this is also a sign that it had not been started since it was put in the shed all those years ago. The farmer was ill for some time before he died.

After turning over for a minute or so, it started up, and ran almost perfectly. Yes it will want the fuel system draining and refilling, filters changed etc, before running for any length of time, but it just goes to PROOVE how durable diesel, and diesel engines are, even when left standing for many years.

 

[christmas]

I agree but don't fault the same of old petrol vehicles.
I have a very similar story for a 1932 ford sedan except we poored a bit of petrol in the carb, used the crank handle and away she went we estimated 15 - 20 years since being started...

I think just good old things...

 

[supermalc]

Yes, but this was started on the ORIGINAL diesel in the tank. We know engines will start after being stood for 50 years, but not on the same fuel. And remember we are talking RED diesel here, not road diesel with all the additives.

 

[Norman_E]

I knew a farmer who had a Field Marshall tractor. It had a huge single cylinder diesel (about 4.5 litres I think). You started it with a blank 12 bore cartridge, which was just an ordinary one with the shot tipped out. Provided you had lined the flywheel up with the correct mark it would start no matter how long it had been left. It was quite clearly built to last for ever.

 

[supermalc]

Many of these have now been restored, and at a local rally, they all go to the pub on them in the evening. One is left running so the others can be restarted, either by towing, or using a belt on the pulley. Negating the need to swing on the handle (very difficult, but can be done) or using cartridges.

However just to get back on topic, the thread was about diesel lasting for up to 20 years in the tank, with no apparent ill effects. There was no sign of sludging, due to 'the diesel bug' nor had it become polluted with water, from condensation, or other sources. We were both surprised at the quality of the diesel after being left for so long in a tank little more than half full.

 

[Strathglass]

Yes it's amazing how long diesel can last.

I filled the tank on the boat I am building with red diesel over ten years ago.

I now have the boat down at my house and a couple of months ago put a new engine in it.(Ford 1.8 XLD),

It still has the same diesel in it and has never been in the water.

The new engine started instantly and runs perfectly.
The gearbox didn't turn the propshaft but that's a (now resolved) different story.

Must get some more red diesel from the farm up north. ( in multiples of 5 gallons delivered by my stepson).

Iain

 

[Guest]

Malc .... what makes you think that red doesn't have additives ? OK this diesel you have used is likely to be clean diesel - as in those days additives were not so developed. In fact most people just used kerosene or petrol to bump it up for winter ....

 

[supermalc]

Yes Nigel, realized when I'd written it. What I meant was it doesn't have the same additives as modern diesel, red or white. Pleased you've corrected this.

Tried (and failed) to find your previous post on what, exactly is added etc. as I know you've posted this info several times.

We thought it would be polluted, and would need changing, as it usually does when you get old tractors that have been standing for years, with only a drop in the tank.

Luckily, I've been able to do quite a bit of boating (chugging up and down the ditches) even though some are tidal /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

My friend has a doctor friend with a 30ft classic sailing boat he keeps on the West coast of Scotland so does quite a bit of sailing with him. They got a chartplotter this year, as they ended up in the Corribreckan (spelling?) wirlpool last year. Boat survived but gave them a fright.