Forum Discussion

dave_from_mesa's avatar
dave_from_mesa
Explorer
Apr 23, 2017

Old Fuel

Did a search but came up with nothing, maybe the way I wrote it.
Got some old diesel fuel in my MH. Last time we used it was 2015. Some time after that I put about 20 gals in it and now it has about 15 gals missing. Must have done more driving than I thought.
We are going to Tucson (about 140 miles each way). Have a Pilot about half way if I need it.
What I would like to know is should I go all the way down and half back to the Pilot on old fuel or fill it here then here again?
Have a Chevron right around the corner from me that I can get in and out easy.

Thanks
Class A
  • dave_from_mesa's avatar
    dave_from_mesa
    Explorer
    Apr 25, 2017
    Thanks for the help.
    Think I am going to put some sea foam in it and run all the fuel out that I can. Will fill it up when we get home.
    Going to do oil/all filters change after we get back.
    Again thanks for the help
  • mchero's avatar
    mchero
    Explorer
    Apr 24, 2017
    Had a 93 Pace Arrow Diesel back when I lived in New Hampshire. Never used any type of stabilizer or had any algae issues. Just kept the tank full. Made it thru 12 winters.
  • ppine's avatar
    ppine
    Explorer II
    Apr 24, 2017
    Get in the habit of using fuel stabilizer, especially near the end of the season. Algae can be a problem along with condensation. Use some fuel additives to take out the water. I like the stuff in the white bottle available at any truck stop.

    Carrying a fuel filter is absolutely the right thing to do with any diesel.
  • BigRabbitMan's avatar
    BigRabbitMan
    Explorer
    Apr 24, 2017
    The key with diesel and any other fuel is to keep it from accumulating moisture from the tank "breathing". To do that, when parked for any length of time keep the tank full. The smaller the air space at the top of the tank the better. In your case, 2015 diesel is fine. In AZ moisture is not a problem either. Do carry an extra fuel filter in case you need to change it and then when you return fill the tank up and park it.
  • Jim's avatar
    Jim
    Explorer
    Apr 24, 2017
    Good advice up above.

    I'd use the fuel, but I'd pour a bottle of Seafoam in first, and I'd carry a new fuel filter in the unlikely event that there is algae in the tank. I'd fill up asap at the nearest station too.

    BTW, there's typically an infrastructure to deal with contaminated diesel fuel in big rigs in most towns large enough for a diesel repair shop so if something does happen...
  • wolfe10's avatar
    wolfe10
    Explorer
    Apr 23, 2017
    SMELL IT. Does it smell like "diesel" or has it "turned"?

    That will give you the answer.
  • ScottG's avatar
    ScottG
    Nomad
    Apr 23, 2017
    As long as no algae has grown in it, I would just run it out. If algae has started just plan on changing fuel filters 2 or 3 times.
    I would run it nearly out and refill with fresh.
  • rgatijnet1's avatar
    rgatijnet1
    Explorer III
    Apr 23, 2017
    The new ULSD diesel is not the same as the old diesel. It does breakdown sooner and is susceptible to absorbing moisture, which shouldn't be a huge problem in AZ. It is a good idea to always keep the fuel tank as full as possible if you are going to let it sit for any length of time. I would fill up at the closest station and keep an eye on the fuel filters. You might want to put in a can of diesel additive to combat any algae that may have formed.
  • Trackrig's avatar
    Trackrig
    Explorer II
    Apr 23, 2017
    Your diesel isn't old enough to worry about. Fill up at the Chevron, it's probably cheaper than the truck stop.

    Bill

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