Aged Diesel Fuel

[Ed]

I don't know much about the aging properties of Diesel Fuel.I would say that the diesel fuel in my boat was purchased Sept/2001. I added stabilizer last year, and in July 2002, added some more.Unfortunately, at this time of the year I am sitting with 2/3 tank of fuel, and no hope of burning it off by the end of the season. (These M-25's are just too efficient.)I know you need to store the boat for the winter layup with a full tank.Question is: Should I just top off the fuel and add a bit more stabilizer? or drain the tank and refill?Is there any impact on the longevity of the engine?Any recommendations?The fuel is clean, and I plan a lot more cruising next year, so it should be burned by July 2003.Ed#4900

 

[Randy]

The same problem

I've got the same problem--the M-18 in my 27 burns so little fuel that I only need to fill the tank once per season, even though we do a fair amount of motoring. I've tried to run the tank way down before filling in order to burn as much fuel as possible. This season, I put more than 40 hours on the engine before filling up prior to a long trip, but it still only took 10-11 gallons to fill the tank, leaving 8-9 gallons of last year's fuel. I'll top off again at the end of the season and store the boat with a full tank. That's when I normally add stabilzer. So far, no problems due to the "aging" fuel. I do monitor and change my Racor filter regularly, though.Randy

 

[Ron]

"Fuel Polishing"

Check out the recent "fuel polishing" thread on the "All Sailor" forum. Entries start from 9/01/02.--Ron