OT-Diesel Fuel Stabilizer

Does diesel fuel need stabilizer like ethanol laced gasoline needs it?

That is a yes no and sort of thing. Depends on how long it sits. Diesel grows algae so that can be a problem if stored to long

I'm sure Sta-bil makes a product. Need to keep it from gelling at low temps. I'm sure more versed posters will chime in.

http://www.external_link/automotive-additives/diesel-formula-sta-bil-reg-fuel-stabilizer-32-oz--1040613

No.
It will last for years.
I replaced the oil furnace in a rental house about 6 years ago - went to propane.
When I got rid of the old fuel oil tank there was about 30 gallons of fuel still in it so I drained it into some gas cans I had and some 5 gal plastic pails then I put the lids on them and put them in the garage thinking I would use the fuel oil for burning brush piles or washing parts, etc. Never did use it.
This summer I was mowing and was low on fuel so I took a big funnel and filtered the fuel through 2 layers of a clean old towel as I poured it into the tractor.
I left a couple of inches in the bottom of the cans just to make sure there was no crud or water in it.
I didn't use my tractor much this year but have been running on that 6 year old fuel all summer.
No problems so far though come to think of it I should change the filter one of these days just to be safe.

Does diesel fuel need stabilizer like ethanol laced gasoline needs it?

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Gasoline with ethanol in it doesn't need it either. There are a lot of myths going around about this new gas.

No, it needs it or it collects water and ruins filters and carbs. Ethanol is hygroscopic.

Only use PRIST if'n YOU read with "oil lamps" at temps. of -40F. Kerosene will gell at dem temps.

SEAFOAM keeps me alove at low altitudes with new gas. John,PA Ford Escort with CFI!

(quoted from post at 04:00:21 09/03/12)

Does diesel fuel need stabilizer like ethanol laced gasoline needs it?

Click to expand...

Gasoline with ethanol in it doesn't need it either. There are a lot of myths going around about this new gas.

Click to expand...

I have seen it eat the guts out of several of my carburetors until I started draining the gas out of it for any extended period of time. Also, numerous fixit shops and lawn mower dealers lament the damage wrought by ethanol gas.

This reminds me of a line out of "Duck Soup" by Chico Marx, "Well, who you gonna believe, me or your own eyes?"

I had always thought, perhaps wrongly, that diesel was not effected by time like gasoline and did not need stabilizers. I was in Wal Mart last night and was reading a diesel Sta-bil bottle while the Mrs. shopped. Reading the bottle prompted me to ask this question.

(quoted from post at 05:25:03 09/03/12)

(quoted from post at 04:00:21 09/03/12)

Does diesel fuel need stabilizer like ethanol laced gasoline needs it?

Click to expand...

Gasoline with ethanol in it doesn't need it either. There are a lot of myths going around about this new gas.

Click to expand...

I have seen it eat the guts out of several of my carburetors until I started draining the gas out of it for any extended period of time. Also, numerous fixit shops and lawn mower dealers lament the damage wrought by ethanol gas.

This reminds me of a line out of "Duck Soup" by Chico Marx, "Well, who you gonna believe, me or your own eyes?"

I had always thought, perhaps wrongly, that diesel was not effected by time like gasoline and did not need stabilizers. I was in Wal Mart last night and was reading a diesel Sta-bil bottle while the Mrs. shopped. Reading the bottle prompted me to ask this question.

Click to expand...

NEVER take the vendor's word for it. They'll print [i:b94bf04f67]anything[/i:b94bf04f67] on their package to get you to buy.

G6,All diesel fuels contain micro-organisms (commonly called "bugs") and when the conditions are favourable the "bugs" will rapidly grow. Both "bugs" and asphaltenes (old diesel sludges) can cause fuel filters to block., with subsequent engine malfunction, or worse still, engine stoppage. Removing water from fuel tanks and keeping the fuel fresh goes a long way to controlling the problem. Other steps that can be taken to control "bug" growth is using a good quality diesel additive such as FTC catalytic decarboniser, or a specific biocide and a proven magnetic unit such as ‘Bug Disrupter’.

DIESEL FUEL "BUGS"

Diesel fuel "bugs" can cause fuel filters to block., with subsequent engine malfunction, or worse still, engine stoppage.

Diesel fuel "bugs" are actually micro-organisms comprised of fungi, yeasts and bacteria which live mostly in the diesel / water interface inside the diesel tank. The common diesel ‘bug’ is the fungus Hormoconis resinae that can produce a large biomass of mycelia (fungal matting) in a short period of time if the conditions are favourable. Hormoconis resinae is called "diesel bug" in the diesel fuel industry and "jet fuel fungus" in the aviation industry.

The mycelia of Hormoconis resinae excrete acids that can break down weaker tank material such as aluminium.

Water, nutrients and warmth are the pre-requisites for "bugs" to rapidly grow, blocking filters and damaging engine fuel components. Water can be either free water (fresh or salt) or emulsified water. Free water may have come from faulty bulk storage tanks, or from rain or sea water entering through fuel tank filler caps with faulty seals. Nutrients can include the alkanes in the fuel, dead "bugs" and even the fuel tank material. Warmth is usually from the local ambient conditions, but diesel tanks in engine rooms and non-cooled high flow return lines into small fuel tanks will increase the diesel tank temperature.

Long storage of diesel fuel also increases the potential of "bugs" to grow.
OLD DIESEL SLUDGE

Diesel “bugs” should not be confused with asphaltene chemical sludge compounds formed as diesel fuel ages. Asphaltene sludge can also cause fuel filters to block with subsequent engine malfunction, or worse still, engine stoppage.

Diesel fuel degrades with time (faster at higher ambient temperatures), often forming insoluble asphaltene compounds through an oxidation process. Prevention is the best cure. Use fresh diesel fuel where possible, which may mean keeping fuel tanks partially full if they are not used frequently. This can be a "Catch-22" situation, as condensation (water) is more of a problem in partly full tanks. Condensation promotes "bug" growth and rust to form.



DIESEL BUG CONTROL

"Bug" (microorganism) growth can be prevented by good fuel management procedures and specific fuel additives. Removing water that accumulates in your diesel tank is the best method of controlling "bug" growth. Do this by draining any accumulated free water weekly. Fitting an in-line see-through water catchment bowl makes draining water relatively easy.