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Old diesel fuel

T

tedregentin

Member
My neighbor and I purchased a 3020 diesel JD that has sat for the past 5 years. We were going to just tow it home until I asked whether that was a good idea on the JD forum. I was advised not to do it. So I ordered two new batteries for it. Should I drain and flush all the all the old fuel out or will it run the way it is? Thanks for the help, Ted
 
i run some diesel in my truck last year that was bought in 1999 stored in a old propane tank i got more mileage out of it than the stuff we have today
 
My suggestion is if in doubt drain it and refill. Gas and Diesel do have a shelf life. I know Gas is about 6 months and Diesel is similar.

With Gas I would chance it if the smell was not too far off. With diesel I wouldn't even think about it. Cost to rebuild carb is $30 plus labor and they aren't that difficult to do. Repairing diesel fuel systems run $500 to $1000 and really need to be done by a diesel shop.

If it were me I would drain the fuel and change the filters and with a bit of luck you should be good to go. Not gonna start right off but should run.

jm2cw

jt
 
both my 2 cylinder deeres sat for 12 years (inside with tanks pretty full with treated diesel fuel) both fired up with no fuel problems. If the fuel has algae in it,get rid of it and clean the entire system. Bill
 
(quoted from post at 23:25:49 03/19/13) My suggestion is if in doubt drain it and refill. Gas and Diesel do have a shelf life. I know Gas is about 6 months and Diesel is similar.

With Gas I would chance it if the smell was not too far off. With diesel I wouldn't even think about it. Cost to rebuild carb is $30 plus labor and they aren't that difficult to do. Repairing diesel fuel systems run $500 to $1000 and really need to be done by a diesel shop.

If it were me I would drain the fuel and change the filters and with a bit of luck you should be good to go. Not gonna start right off but should run.

jm2cw

jt
Click to expand...

I disagree. Put batteries in it, and open the drain plug on the tank. If there is no water in the fuel, fire it up. It will probably start and run just like the day it was made.
Diesel will last more than 10 years in a tank. No worries.
 
Todays diesel is garbage if it has biofuel in it. Cost me a couple rebuilds on combine after sitting one winter both times. If the fuel stinks like crayons or if it's cloudy when in a glass jar then drain it out and hope your pump isn't already seized.
 
I would dump in some power services, put in new batteries and try it. It should have been stored with the older diesel.
 
a guy I know has revived alot of WD-9 Internationals, said he never drained the fuel on any of them, new filters at some time would be a good idea
 
I'll go with Big JT's advice. Doesn't take long to go out with the old and in with the new. I too have purchased an old diesel that sat for 13 years in a shed in North Dakota, that started right up with 13 year-old or older fuel, but maybe I was taking too big of a chance. Jim
 
Had a van sit for 2 years with ethanol. Started up on first revolution, just as quick or quicker than some of my other vehicles.
 
I don't know about diesel made 5 years ago, but diesel made 50 years ago, would still be good! A neighbor who died, had a cat d-2 sitting in a barn, for 40 or 50 years, and it started on the fuel in it, with new batteries, and a shot of ether. That machine was completely dry, though, and in a cool building that really had no extremely hot temps. I'd pull a little out, to check for water, and if there was little or none, add some fuel conditioner, and see if she starts. Then thin out the old fuel with new.
 
As long as it's still clear red when you shine a flashlight in the tank, I wouldn't worry one bit about it. Some say Biodeisel is bad, and yes that has a short shelf life. We still get straight diesel on our farm, so I wouldn't hestitate to use fueel that's 5 years old. I drained Grandma's fuel oil tank probably 10 years after she had her oil burner replaced with a new gas burner, and I dumped that in our tractors. Ran just fine.

Donovan from Wisconsin
 
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