stored diesel fuel
- Thread starter dlewis812
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Diesel
I have had no problems with diesel fuel kept on deck for several months. I do keep mine under the dink, on deck, and out of the direct sun. Not sure if this makes any difference.
I have had no problems with diesel fuel kept on deck for several months. I do keep mine under the dink, on deck, and out of the direct sun. Not sure if this makes any difference.
If it were me I would put the fuel from the 5 Gal portable tank into the main tank and then refill the portable tank if you want to have extra fuel on board. That way you are "rotating" your fuel, and not storing for a long period.
thanks.
agree with the rotating but think this tank is still good if 3 months? (just want to make sure, don't want any problems). for next spare should there be any additive if knowing spare may be there for awhile?
on the same topic.. starting next week will be on a mooring the rest of the season. not that will need much fuel anyway however no fuel docks nearby. maybe silly question however is the diesel from a regular gas station same/ok?
agree with the rotating but think this tank is still good if 3 months? (just want to make sure, don't want any problems). for next spare should there be any additive if knowing spare may be there for awhile?
on the same topic.. starting next week will be on a mooring the rest of the season. not that will need much fuel anyway however no fuel docks nearby. maybe silly question however is the diesel from a regular gas station same/ok?
DIESEL CAN BE KEPT LOOONG TIMES WITHOUT PROBLEMS--I KEEP THE DIESEL IN MY ERICSON NOW 5 YRS -- WORKS GREAT---- ENGINE STARTS RIGHT UP AND BOAT SHOWS NO SIGN OF PROBLEMATIC FUEL. i do use biocide in that boat.
sorry about caps-i cant typo.
sorry about caps-i cant typo.
I keep 5 gallons in a portable container stored behind the hot water heater in a low tight place so it doesn't move around. When I return from a trip, I put that 5 gallons in the main tank and then refill the main and the portable. Like Nav said, rotate the stock. 
Gas station diesel will soon = marina diesel with the exception of biocides. The EPA is mandating 15 PPM sulfur diesel in all vehicles by next year. This includes locomotives and marine diesel.
http://www.epa.gov/nonroaddiesel/
Gas station diesel will soon = marina diesel with the exception of biocides. The EPA is mandating 15 PPM sulfur diesel in all vehicles by next year. This includes locomotives and marine diesel.
http://www.epa.gov/nonroaddiesel/
"Getting rid" of it may be problematic, having to transport 5 gallons to an accredited disposal facility. If you have good, oversize fuel filters and have additives already in the main tank, I would consider adding the spare fuel to the main tank; pouring through a good strainer to catch any potential contamination. Pouring slowly will help keep any condensed water at the bottom of the canister, making disposing of the remains easier.
I'm no diesel fuel expert, just a sailor; but it's my understanding that large temperature fluctuations increase the possibility for micro-organism growth and water separation; so fuel stored in the main tank(s), low in the hull is less likely to develop problems compared to fuel stored in a portable container.
I'm no diesel fuel expert, just a sailor; but it's my understanding that large temperature fluctuations increase the possibility for micro-organism growth and water separation; so fuel stored in the main tank(s), low in the hull is less likely to develop problems compared to fuel stored in a portable container.
I normally fill my tank around Sept/Oct. each year and do not need to top it off until around May.
I would just add this 5 gal. to your main tank. If you have any doubts about the purity of the fuel you can run it through a Baja Filter.
I have started adding an additive to my tank (lower sulpher and cetane ratings).
I would just add this 5 gal. to your main tank. If you have any doubts about the purity of the fuel you can run it through a Baja Filter.
I have started adding an additive to my tank (lower sulpher and cetane ratings).
I just returned from a short trip and burned up about 18 gal. and I have one 5 gal portable container stored below and I'll put that in the tank and then get more using my three 5 gallon containers from the local Hess station that sells a lot of diesel fuel this way I know its fresh and after the tank is topped off I'll put a full five gallon back down below for emergency, I use a biocide too and also a good diesel additive for to replace the stuff removed for lubricity
Diesel fuel requires a lubricity "additive" to offset the lubricity previously provided by sulfur that was reduced when ultra low sulfur diesel started several years ago. In addition, diesel fuel has to meet a cetane number specification. Refiners meet this with or without a cetane “additive” to offset the cetane loss during refinery hydrotreating. Therefore, additives are not required.
Steve:
My understanding is that most of the diesel fuels available to us is approx. 40 cetane. I know that you are a Chem. Eng. so I am curious how we are suppose to get up to 45 cetane as Yanmar recommends without an additive.
My understanding is that most of the diesel fuels available to us is approx. 40 cetane. I know that you are a Chem. Eng. so I am curious how we are suppose to get up to 45 cetane as Yanmar recommends without an additive.
I recently had a chat with my harbour master on the same subject. He said his would be ok as he makes sure there is little or no biodiesel in the tanks but warned that some marinas were using up to 40% bio and this can cause problems with storage.
I'm not an expert but does anyone here have further insight on the subject?
I'm not an expert but does anyone here have further insight on the subject?
The use of additives may just be waste of money. MB recommends against the use of additives. A friend of mine would religiously use the recommended amount of biocide and cetane additive to his fuel. After 4 years his perkiness would slowly and increasingly smoke. Cummings Diesel came out, pulled his injectors, bench tested them and then asked if he used additives. I owned my Catalina for close to 13 years,never added an additive and never had a problem. LLM fuel is used by the USCG NY and before any fuel goes in their boats they test it. Each and every time. It has never failed. Start with clean fuel and you'll never have a problem. Save your money and the environment.
I agree, unless you believe it to have become contaminated, go ahead and use it. I've got an antique fire truck that sits for long periods of time. Even though I only keep the tank 1/4 to 3/8 full, sometimes the fuel can be 6-12 months old. It starts & runs like a champ.
In both the truck and the boat, I use Startron Diesel Fuel treatment. Since I began using it 7 years ago, I have not had any fuel related issues whatsoever, in either the boat or the truck. Of course, I do change the fuel filters regularly.
Randy
In both the truck and the boat, I use Startron Diesel Fuel treatment. Since I began using it 7 years ago, I have not had any fuel related issues whatsoever, in either the boat or the truck. Of course, I do change the fuel filters regularly.
Randy
Steve,
Great question. Since the minimum cetane number of EPA and CARB diesel is 40 and you want 45 you will need to add an additive. I run 40 cetane diesel in my Yanmar motors on my Hunter 31 and 386 and 7.3 liter Ford F250. They all work just fine with excellent fuel economy. As an aside, my BMW 740 specifies 89 octane minimum but I run 87 octane all the time with no detrimental impacts.
Great question. Since the minimum cetane number of EPA and CARB diesel is 40 and you want 45 you will need to add an additive. I run 40 cetane diesel in my Yanmar motors on my Hunter 31 and 386 and 7.3 liter Ford F250. They all work just fine with excellent fuel economy. As an aside, my BMW 740 specifies 89 octane minimum but I run 87 octane all the time with no detrimental impacts.
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