Does diesel go bad???

bigred04 · 11-14-2009, 10:48 PM

Wondering how long diesel is good for? does anything happen to it after a period of time? Say a couple years? is it safe to run still?

__________________

2004.5 2500 CC SB Volant CAI, 4" magnaflow, no cat, 305/70 MTR's

Bluedually4x4 · 11-14-2009, 11:46 PM

Pretty sure all fuel degrades over time. I would be more worried with what has been dissolved or absorbed by the fuel if you have some that is really old.

__________________
1998 3500 4x4 5 speed reg cab dually 12valve
TST #10, ATS exhaust man, 5" turbo back exhaust twin 5" stacks, SB 13.5 clutch, BHAF, 75 hp injectors

ykdave · 11-15-2009, 12:47 AM

Depending on the storage, it can store for a LONG time.

But, if its been open to air/moisture and/or stored in plastic containers its lifespan is greatly reduced.

Its not nearly as bad as gas! Method of storage is the big key, even gas will be fine for years if stored properly

__________________
97 Ram 2500 / 5.9ctd /NV4500/241DHD Custom Intake Tube+ BHAF, Pump Tuning, Autometer Pyro and Boost gauges, Dual 4" stacks, posi-lok, One Hella sound system, KDP MIA

, fabtech 5.5" lift, 36x13.5 IROK's, tons more to come

5.9fan · 11-15-2009, 01:07 AM

however under normal circumstances this new gas seems to last about a week.

__________________
1993 D350 dually, automatic. starwheel and afc adjusted
other rides: 1956 Packard patrician police car.

1955 Packard patrician sedan.

MikeyB · 11-15-2009, 09:22 AM

Ethanol blended gasolines does have a short life span. I've seen that stuff go bad in 3 months without any fuel treatments.

Diesel can be stored for many many years. The trick is to keep moisture out so algae can't grow. Biocides can help with this.

MikeyB

__________________
'03 2500 QC SWB 2wd, 305/555, NV5600, 3.73 LS, Airbox mod w/Amsoil Ea, Adjustable boost elbow, PML diff cover, Westach boost/EGT gauge, Line-X, Toyo OC AT 285/70/17 E, Daystar 1.5" lift, Monroe Reflex, Raptor RP100, Lazarsmith Intake, Smarty/Van Aaken C3.2

bigred04 · 11-15-2009, 04:13 PM

ok heres the skinny. i can buy some fuel for a good price from a guy. it is stored in his shop in a metal fuel tank off the ground like one of those farm tanks you see on legs. its clean and he says its 2 maybe 3 years old. he uses a little now and then but wants it out of there. Its filtered out of his tank. then put in my dragup that has a filter, then into the truck. so it should be pretty clean regardless. i just didn't know if it goes bad or loses anything in a few years.

__________________

2004.5 2500 CC SB Volant CAI, 4" magnaflow, no cat, 305/70 MTR's

***NOSPARK*** · 11-15-2009, 04:18 PM

make sure you drain any water that is in the bottom of the tank. is the tank a gravity feed tank. Also might want to add some cetane booster and 2 stroke oil. to help boost the fuel a bit if it has been sitting that long.

__________________
04.5 2500 QC/SB 4x4

dpeter · 11-15-2009, 06:50 PM

I recently had the chance to "reclaim" some old heating fuel oil and I do mean OLD probably 10 to 15 years old from the basement of a home that had been converted to gas. This stuff was as amber in color as beer and smelled strongly of parafin wax. Tried five gallons worth and it runs fine but down on power and EGT's and boost are not as high but otherwise hard to beat for the price.

__________________
1993 D250 CTD extended cab long bed. pump supposedly tweeked and larger injectors by previous owner and at least one turn of the smoke screw. extra leaf in the rear. KDP fixed

bigred04 · 11-16-2009, 11:35 AM

yeah its a gravity tank. Think i shoud snatch it up and try some?

__________________

2004.5 2500 CC SB Volant CAI, 4" magnaflow, no cat, 305/70 MTR's

***NOSPARK*** · 11-16-2009, 11:42 AM

woudnt hurt to give it a shot just like was said filter it and also check for any water on in the tank. I would add some sort of additive also.

__________________
04.5 2500 QC/SB 4x4

illflem · 11-16-2009, 12:47 PM

Some friends did a salvage job of a WWII barge a couple years ago.
They recovered about 15,000 gallons of 50 year old plus diesel that worked fine in their heavy equipment and semis.

Don't know about the new stuff though, have a feeling it doesn't keep as well.

Just filter it.

__________________
Bill
'95 2500 4wd auto
'95 3500 5 speed heavy hauler
Not stock

bigred04 · 11-16-2009, 09:19 PM

i'm gonna get some from him and try it. figure 3 filters and 2 have water seperators on them. i'll be alright. ill just try a little and if it runs like crap i'll fill her up with good fuel.

__________________

2004.5 2500 CC SB Volant CAI, 4" magnaflow, no cat, 305/70 MTR's

11-14-2009, 10:48 PM	#1 (permalink)
bigred04 Diesel Freak Join Date: May 2008 Location: Amherst, WI Posts: 675 Thanks: 5 Thanked 6 Times in 6 Posts bigred04's Truck Pics	Does diesel go bad??? Wondering how long diesel is good for? does anything happen to it after a period of time? Say a couple years? is it safe to run still? __________________ 2004.5 2500 CC SB Volant CAI, 4" magnaflow, no cat, 305/70 MTR's

11-15-2009, 06:50 PM	#8 (permalink)
dpeter Cummins Fan Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Indianapolis, in Posts: 43 Thanks: 0 Thanked 4 Times in 1 Post dpeter's Truck Pics	go for it I recently had the chance to "reclaim" some old heating fuel oil and I do mean OLD probably 10 to 15 years old from the basement of a home that had been converted to gas. This stuff was as amber in color as beer and smelled strongly of parafin wax. Tried five gallons worth and it runs fine but down on power and EGT's and boost are not as high but otherwise hard to beat for the price. __________________ 1993 D250 CTD extended cab long bed. pump supposedly tweeked and larger injectors by previous owner and at least one turn of the smoke screw. extra leaf in the rear. KDP fixed

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11-14-2009, 11:46 PM	#2 (permalink)
Bluedually4x4 Diesel Freak Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Laramie Wyoming Posts: 904 Thanks: 0 Thanked 20 Times in 20 Posts Bluedually4x4's Truck Pics	Pretty sure all fuel degrades over time. I would be more worried with what has been dissolved or absorbed by the fuel if you have some that is really old. __________________ 1998 3500 4x4 5 speed reg cab dually 12valve TST #10, ATS exhaust man, 5" turbo back exhaust twin 5" stacks, SB 13.5 clutch, BHAF, 75 hp injectors

11-15-2009, 12:47 AM	#3 (permalink)
ykdave Diesel Head Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Yellowknife, NT, Canada Posts: 4,909 Thanks: 2 Thanked 147 Times in 122 Posts ykdave's Truck Pics	Depending on the storage, it can store for a LONG time. But, if its been open to air/moisture and/or stored in plastic containers its lifespan is greatly reduced. Its not nearly as bad as gas! Method of storage is the big key, even gas will be fine for years if stored properly __________________ 97 Ram 2500 / 5.9ctd /NV4500/241DHD Custom Intake Tube+ BHAF, Pump Tuning, Autometer Pyro and Boost gauges, Dual 4" stacks, posi-lok, One Hella sound system, KDP MIA , fabtech 5.5" lift, 36x13.5 IROK's, tons more to come

11-15-2009, 01:07 AM	#4 (permalink)
5.9fan Diesel Freak Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 602 Thanks: 28 Thanked 12 Times in 8 Posts 5.9fan's Truck Pics	however under normal circumstances this new gas seems to last about a week. __________________ 1993 D350 dually, automatic. starwheel and afc adjusted other rides: 1956 Packard patrician police car. 1955 Packard patrician sedan.

11-15-2009, 09:22 AM	#5 (permalink)
MikeyB Diesel Head Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Tomball, Texas Posts: 1,319 Thanks: 3 Thanked 45 Times in 44 Posts MikeyB's Truck Pics	Ethanol blended gasolines does have a short life span. I've seen that stuff go bad in 3 months without any fuel treatments. Diesel can be stored for many many years. The trick is to keep moisture out so algae can't grow. Biocides can help with this. MikeyB __________________ '03 2500 QC SWB 2wd, 305/555, NV5600, 3.73 LS, Airbox mod w/Amsoil Ea, Adjustable boost elbow, PML diff cover, Westach boost/EGT gauge, Line-X, Toyo OC AT 285/70/17 E, Daystar 1.5" lift, Monroe Reflex, Raptor RP100, Lazarsmith Intake, Smarty/Van Aaken C3.2

11-15-2009, 04:13 PM	#6 (permalink)
bigred04 Diesel Freak Join Date: May 2008 Location: Amherst, WI Posts: 675 Thanks: 5 Thanked 6 Times in 6 Posts bigred04's Truck Pics	ok heres the skinny. i can buy some fuel for a good price from a guy. it is stored in his shop in a metal fuel tank off the ground like one of those farm tanks you see on legs. its clean and he says its 2 maybe 3 years old. he uses a little now and then but wants it out of there. Its filtered out of his tank. then put in my dragup that has a filter, then into the truck. so it should be pretty clean regardless. i just didn't know if it goes bad or loses anything in a few years. __________________ 2004.5 2500 CC SB Volant CAI, 4" magnaflow, no cat, 305/70 MTR's

11-15-2009, 04:18 PM	#7 (permalink)
*NOSPARK* VX KILLA Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: IN/IL Posts: 2,284 Thanks: 28 Thanked 28 Times in 26 Posts NOSPARK's Truck Pics	make sure you drain any water that is in the bottom of the tank. is the tank a gravity feed tank. Also might want to add some cetane booster and 2 stroke oil. to help boost the fuel a bit if it has been sitting that long. __________________ 04.5 2500 QC/SB 4x4

11-16-2009, 11:35 AM	#9 (permalink)
bigred04 Diesel Freak Join Date: May 2008 Location: Amherst, WI Posts: 675 Thanks: 5 Thanked 6 Times in 6 Posts bigred04's Truck Pics	yeah its a gravity tank. Think i shoud snatch it up and try some? __________________ 2004.5 2500 CC SB Volant CAI, 4" magnaflow, no cat, 305/70 MTR's

11-16-2009, 11:42 AM	#10 (permalink)
*NOSPARK* VX KILLA Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: IN/IL Posts: 2,284 Thanks: 28 Thanked 28 Times in 26 Posts NOSPARK's Truck Pics	woudnt hurt to give it a shot just like was said filter it and also check for any water on in the tank. I would add some sort of additive also. __________________ 04.5 2500 QC/SB 4x4

11-16-2009, 12:47 PM	#11 (permalink)
illflem Super Moderator Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Montana Posts: 6,452 Thanks: 5 Thanked 290 Times in 257 Posts illflem's Truck Pics	Some friends did a salvage job of a WWII barge a couple years ago. They recovered about 15,000 gallons of 50 year old plus diesel that worked fine in their heavy equipment and semis. Don't know about the new stuff though, have a feeling it doesn't keep as well. Just filter it. __________________ Bill '95 2500 4wd auto '95 3500 5 speed heavy hauler Not stock

11-16-2009, 09:19 PM	#12 (permalink)
bigred04 Diesel Freak Join Date: May 2008 Location: Amherst, WI Posts: 675 Thanks: 5 Thanked 6 Times in 6 Posts bigred04's Truck Pics	i'm gonna get some from him and try it. figure 3 filters and 2 have water seperators on them. i'll be alright. ill just try a little and if it runs like crap i'll fill her up with good fuel. __________________ 2004.5 2500 CC SB Volant CAI, 4" magnaflow, no cat, 305/70 MTR's