Apologies to mods & others- while this is SORT OF off topic, I also think that maybe this is the right place for this- crosses over to Tow Vehicles and diesel MHs for users who may let them sit for moderate time periods.I will soon be the owner of a small diesel tractor that will often go one to two months without being used.I was always aware of gasoline getting old- but I'm scared that diesel is a bit more particular and that it might form gunk after a few months...AND fuel pumps and fuel lines and injectors ARE a bit more persnickety than a 1950 carburetor.Anything that you MUST do as the weather gets cold?Anything that you MUST do if you let fuel sit for a couple months?(PS, I would include "really want to do" in with saying "Must")Thanks.

My Duramax will sit for a couple of months, or more, because it's only used to tow the condo. I have a 91 gal in bed tank along with the standard tank and fuel can sit for many, many months. Never had an issue.

I have a tractor that I didn't use for 4 years. Put a jump box on it, glowed it for 30 seconds and it lite right off and ran fine. Still does to this day.I've had 8 YO diesel fuel that I have used. Ran fine.

"The key is keeping the fuel cool and keeping the fuel dry. Under ideal conditions, diesel fuel can be stored between six and twelve months. To extend the life past twelve months, even under the best conditions, it needs to be treated with fuel stabilizers and biocides."- google

2oldman wrote:..it needs to be treated with fuel stabilizers and biocides.As weird as it sounds biocides are needed to kill off the organisms that love that grade of fuel.We've taken turbofan aircraft out of service for contaminated fuel tanks because this is a thing.

I have a friend who works maintenace for an airport. Their large diesel trucks with snowplows sit for 6 months and start when needed.

Intermittent use of diesel engines. | Good Sam Community

18 Replies

mowermech
Explorer
Jul 27, 2018
Algae will only grow at the fuel/water interface. If you have no water in your tank, you don't need any biocide. If you do have water in the tank, you still don't need biocide, you need to empty and clean your tank!
In fact, where marine diesels are common, there are often fuel cleaning services that will come out, pump the fuel from the tank, filter it, and put it back. That is, of course, a pricey service, but perhaps well worth the cost.
I have seen some very old diesel fuel and jet fuel (JP/4), and never noticed any deterioration.
I would say if the fuel and the tank are clean, don't worry about it.
FishOnOne
Nomad
Jul 27, 2018
K3WE wrote:
Apologies to mods & others- while this is SORT OF off topic, I also think that maybe this is the right place for this- crosses over to Tow Vehicles and diesel MHs for users who may let them sit for moderate time periods.

I will soon be the owner of a small diesel tractor that will often go one to two months without being used.

I was always aware of gasoline getting old- but I'm scared that diesel is a bit more particular and that it might form gunk after a few months...AND fuel pumps and fuel lines and injectors ARE a bit more persnickety than a 1950 carburetor.

Anything that you MUST do as the weather gets cold?

Anything that you MUST do if you let fuel sit for a couple months?

(PS, I would include "really want to do" in with saying "Must")

Thanks.

We have John Deere combines and John Deere cotton pickers that essentially set for 10 months in a shop waiting for harvest time. We use a John Deere fuel additive (Stanadyne) to keep the diesel fresh while they set. They do get started up about every 3 months or so and brought up to temp and get some run time while we perform the annual maintenance.

Also I believe Power Service diesel fuel additive can be used to keep the diesel fuel in good shape.
NMDriver2
Explorer
Jul 27, 2018
On my once or twice a year used for something tractor I try not to put more fuel in the tank than I will use. I carry along a gallon in case I run out in the field. When I am ready to store it for a while I drain the tank, lines and carburetor, top off the radiator with antifreeze, and park it.
gbopp
Explorer
Jul 27, 2018
I have a friend who works maintenace for an airport. Their large diesel trucks with snowplows sit for 6 months and start when needed.
pryoclastic
Explorer
Jul 27, 2018
2oldman wrote:
..it needs to be treated with fuel stabilizers and biocides.
As weird as it sounds biocides are needed to kill off the organisms that love that grade of fuel.

We've taken turbofan aircraft out of service for contaminated fuel tanks because this is a thing.
2oldman
Explorer II
Jul 27, 2018
"The key is keeping the fuel cool and keeping the fuel dry. Under ideal conditions, diesel fuel can be stored between six and twelve months. To extend the life past twelve months, even under the best conditions, it needs to be treated with fuel stabilizers and biocides."

- google
Turtle_n_Peeps
Explorer
Jul 27, 2018
I have a tractor that I didn't use for 4 years. Put a jump box on it, glowed it for 30 seconds and it lite right off and ran fine. Still does to this day.

I've had 8 YO diesel fuel that I have used. Ran fine.
azdryheat
Explorer
Jul 27, 2018
My Duramax will sit for a couple of months, or more, because it's only used to tow the condo. I have a 91 gal in bed tank along with the standard tank and fuel can sit for many, many months. Never had an issue.

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Intermittent use of diesel engines.

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