My DP is full of fuel from last fall and I probably wont use it this year

[oldryder]

RV was winterized and got a full diesel service last fall. Filled it and added diesel fuel conditioner before storage. Started easily and ran fine driving it home from storage in May. Good chance we won't use it this year. Wondering if I need to do anything about the fuel as it may be winter or spring before we go anywhere and I DEFINITELY don't want to create problems by letting the fuel get too old.

thx to anyone offering advice.

mark in MN

 

[Ksouers]

The good news is the cold won't hurt the fuel. It will gel up in cold weather and that can clog filters if you try to run it. But when it warms up will start flowing again. The problem you may have with long term storage is growing algae. You may want to treat the fuel with algaecide, should be available at any truck stop. A water dispersant won't hurt, either. You may also find a spare fuel filter to be handy, I always kept a spare on my trucks.

Kevin

 

[Isaac-1]

Did you fill it with straight diesel fuel, or a biodiesel blend, in some parts of the country it is getting hard to find anything that is not 10-20% bio-diesel. I ask because bio-diesel breaks down much faster than regular diesel

 

[John From Detroit]

I agree Diesel (The pure stuff) is a long term fuel Stores well other than Algae and you can get stuff to kill that.
True story.. Gent I know has a beautiful Blue Bird.. Well first he had generator issues (Would not run well)( Then the main engine.> They replaced the fuel filter (Wrong type) and the problem quickly returned. he called a mobile tech who replaced ONE fuel filter (Secondary) But totally missed the primary.
I spotted it. pointed it out and he was good to go with a nice bottle of Algaecide.

 

[Tom]

The good news is the cold won't hurt the fuel. It will gel up in cold weather and that can clog filters if you try to run it. But when it warms up will start flowing again. The problem you may have with long term storage is growing algae. You may want to treat the fuel with algaecide, should be available at any truck stop. A water dispersant won't hurt, either. You may also find a spare fuel filter to be handy, I always kept a spare on my trucks.

Kevin

Aye Kevin. We used biocide in the diesel tanks (500 gallons) on our boat when stored for long periods. Algae can grow irrespective of temperature, and can clog filters. Used to buy it at West Marine. I see that amazon now sells it.

 

[oldryder]

Thx for comments. I am in MN and our state leadership, in their infinite wisdom, has mandated a bio-diesel pollutant in our fuel. I would appreciate a reference to a particular biocide product as there are many many options.

 

[Tom]

Thx for comments. I am in MN and our state leadership, in their infinite wisdom, has mandated a bio-diesel pollutant in our fuel. I would appreciate a reference to a particular biocide product as there are many many options.

Here's what we used for many years:

BioGuard Fuel Micro-Biocide, 16 oz. | West Marine

Check out our BioGuard Fuel Micro-Biocide, 16 oz. and more from West Marine!

www.westmarine.com

I suspect you can find alternatives online.

 

[Ksouers]

I would go through 400 gallons of fuel a week, so didn’t have many issues with storage myself. But did manage to get algae a couple times from fuel stops. Power Service bio-kleen worked pretty well.

Power Service Bio-Kleen

Kevin

 

[Ray-IN]

First, DO NOT use a water dispersant, IE mixes with water so it will burn the water. Modern high-pressure common rail diesel engine injectors have very tiny passages, just one drop of water will ruin these injectors.
reference: Diesel Storage & Fuel Treatments Effects|Gold Eagle Co

 

[Daffy]

I'd drive the tank of fuel down and refill and retreat, cheap insurance. Once one gets algae it's not a pretty picture.