after winterizing a diesel is is ok to empty the tank of old fuel and refill in the spring? Thanks, cindy
WINTER FUEL
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Fill 3/4
Easier to fill up 3/4 tank, leave room for expansion, having tank full minimizes condensation of water in the tank during temperature changes. Disposing of fuel can be a real nightmare with envirnmental issues
Easier to fill up 3/4 tank, leave room for expansion, having tank full minimizes condensation of water in the tank during temperature changes. Disposing of fuel can be a real nightmare with envirnmental issues
Stabilize it
Cindy, if the fuel is fairly new, then just buy a stabilizer for the winter and it'll be OK in the spring. Also, as the other poster said, top off your tank to reduce the chances of condensation in the tank over the winter. This would be a great time to add the stabilizer, although is should be run so that the fuel in the lines gets stabilized too.
Cindy, if the fuel is fairly new, then just buy a stabilizer for the winter and it'll be OK in the spring. Also, as the other poster said, top off your tank to reduce the chances of condensation in the tank over the winter. This would be a great time to add the stabilizer, although is should be run so that the fuel in the lines gets stabilized too.
Not practical but yes you can.
Don't know how many gallons you are talking about but it can range from an ordeal to a nightmare. You either have to pump it out or drain it out of the tank (messy), transport it and dispose of it. With EPA regulations being what they are, waste disposal facilities do not want to take it. Diesel fuel is great for drying out tree stumps but a couple of cupfulls will do. Unless you own a diesel truck or an oil heater I would suggest that you treat it with an aditive and combine it with fresh fuel in the spring. I would not worry about condensation in Michigan in the winter. The humidities are low and the temperature just changes from cold to colder.
Don't know how many gallons you are talking about but it can range from an ordeal to a nightmare. You either have to pump it out or drain it out of the tank (messy), transport it and dispose of it. With EPA regulations being what they are, waste disposal facilities do not want to take it. Diesel fuel is great for drying out tree stumps but a couple of cupfulls will do. Unless you own a diesel truck or an oil heater I would suggest that you treat it with an aditive and combine it with fresh fuel in the spring. I would not worry about condensation in Michigan in the winter. The humidities are low and the temperature just changes from cold to colder.
Fresh fuel is always better
Condensation in diesel fuel tanks is a myth!!!! Go to yachtsurvey.com and look at their article. An empty tank is probably best if you have a good way to dispose of the fuel. But don't worry about a half full tank. Just make sure that rainwater and snowmelt can't get into your tank. The most common way water gets into a tank is around the O ring in the filler cap. Some genius decided to mount many filler caps flush and flat so that any water can seep in around the cap. But if you are reasonable and know anything about physics it is obvious that condensation in diesel fuel tanks is a myth. Just think about it...the last thing to cool off is the fuel tank. By then the air is cold outside and contains very little water. In the morning the tank is slowly warming up and pushing air out of the tank. Also the metal fittings on the vent inlet is outside and should cool off rapidly. Any water in the air should condense on this vent intake before it gets into the tank. It is just plain silly to fill up a tank and let the fuel age 6 months!!!!!
Condensation in diesel fuel tanks is a myth!!!! Go to yachtsurvey.com and look at their article. An empty tank is probably best if you have a good way to dispose of the fuel. But don't worry about a half full tank. Just make sure that rainwater and snowmelt can't get into your tank. The most common way water gets into a tank is around the O ring in the filler cap. Some genius decided to mount many filler caps flush and flat so that any water can seep in around the cap. But if you are reasonable and know anything about physics it is obvious that condensation in diesel fuel tanks is a myth. Just think about it...the last thing to cool off is the fuel tank. By then the air is cold outside and contains very little water. In the morning the tank is slowly warming up and pushing air out of the tank. Also the metal fittings on the vent inlet is outside and should cool off rapidly. Any water in the air should condense on this vent intake before it gets into the tank. It is just plain silly to fill up a tank and let the fuel age 6 months!!!!!
Fuel
You are getting some bad information. It is always best to leave your tanks full over the winter...add some Sta-Bil and a biocide and your fuel will last a long time. Any fuel tank subjected to constant changing temperatures, like a boat in the sun during the day that cools off at night, will cause condensation. That's why boats and airplanes always have their tanks topped off....and why pilots always drain the fuel tanks before the first flight of the day, they are getting rid of the water caused by condensation.
You are getting some bad information. It is always best to leave your tanks full over the winter...add some Sta-Bil and a biocide and your fuel will last a long time. Any fuel tank subjected to constant changing temperatures, like a boat in the sun during the day that cools off at night, will cause condensation. That's why boats and airplanes always have their tanks topped off....and why pilots always drain the fuel tanks before the first flight of the day, they are getting rid of the water caused by condensation.
I stopped at the International Harvester
Dealer today and asked for an additive for winter storage of my diesel engine and fuel. Their recommendation was CRC brand Diesel fuel therapy. They sell a bunch of that this time of year. $7.46 per quart including tax.
Dealer today and asked for an additive for winter storage of my diesel engine and fuel. Their recommendation was CRC brand Diesel fuel therapy. They sell a bunch of that this time of year. $7.46 per quart including tax.
Bert Have you Ever Looked at the fuel cap on a
On all three Cessna's that I've been part owner the fuel cap is in a little recession that traps water. I've seen water get into the tank from rainwater pooled around the cap. Even on a plane which is gasoline!!!!! And uses about 8 gallons/hour which flies up high where it is cold even in the summer, gets very little water. Usually I would find only a drop in the inspection cup if that much. Diesel is not gasoline!!!!! Have you ever heard of a boat exploding from diesel fumes???? Air is not what expands and contracts with temperature changes it is gasoline fumes!!!!! I know that there is a lot of money changing hands because of uninformed misguided sailboaters topping off their tanks always and growing stuff in their old fuel. The best way to have good fuel is to have fresh fuel. Dumping a lot of biocides and stabilizers of unknown chemistry into your fuel tank is risky business.
On all three Cessna's that I've been part owner the fuel cap is in a little recession that traps water. I've seen water get into the tank from rainwater pooled around the cap. Even on a plane which is gasoline!!!!! And uses about 8 gallons/hour which flies up high where it is cold even in the summer, gets very little water. Usually I would find only a drop in the inspection cup if that much. Diesel is not gasoline!!!!! Have you ever heard of a boat exploding from diesel fumes???? Air is not what expands and contracts with temperature changes it is gasoline fumes!!!!! I know that there is a lot of money changing hands because of uninformed misguided sailboaters topping off their tanks always and growing stuff in their old fuel. The best way to have good fuel is to have fresh fuel. Dumping a lot of biocides and stabilizers of unknown chemistry into your fuel tank is risky business.
Farm tractor fuel additives
Pre. post said that got an additive from an IH dealer. In a previous life as an IH dealer we sold "Siloo" diesel additive. It was highly rated in the farm industry for water elimination BUT it did not have an algae agent in it. Rumor had it that the Allis Chalmers dealer had a bunch or bad running combines because they had used Siloo for a long term storage of inventory, and algae started growing in all the tanks, clogged filters and messed up some pumps. SO before you use an additive for winter stowage make sure it has an algaicide (sp?) like the stuff sold at marine stores.
Pre. post said that got an additive from an IH dealer. In a previous life as an IH dealer we sold "Siloo" diesel additive. It was highly rated in the farm industry for water elimination BUT it did not have an algae agent in it. Rumor had it that the Allis Chalmers dealer had a bunch or bad running combines because they had used Siloo for a long term storage of inventory, and algae started growing in all the tanks, clogged filters and messed up some pumps. SO before you use an additive for winter stowage make sure it has an algaicide (sp?) like the stuff sold at marine stores.
My Father in Law
He was only a farmer for about 50 years..I say about because he was born on a farm and worked it until he died. His last tractor was only 25 years old so not really broken in well. But he never added anything to his fuel tanks in the tractor or the 250 gallon farm storage tank. He has been dead for some years but his son is still driving the tractor...no fuel additives, The tractor is now pushing 40 years old. When will they start having troubles???? I must admit that since Orville died the tractor is only used for bushhogging a few times a year and they no longer use the 250 gallon tank.
He was only a farmer for about 50 years..I say about because he was born on a farm and worked it until he died. His last tractor was only 25 years old so not really broken in well. But he never added anything to his fuel tanks in the tractor or the 250 gallon farm storage tank. He has been dead for some years but his son is still driving the tractor...no fuel additives, The tractor is now pushing 40 years old. When will they start having troubles???? I must admit that since Orville died the tractor is only used for bushhogging a few times a year and they no longer use the 250 gallon tank.
Water
It's a well known fact, condensation occurs in fuel tanks in boats and airplanes. That's it, believe it or not. Tom...Your Cessna's altitude has nothing to do with fuel condensation...if it's only burning 8 gph (a 172 maybe?), it can't get high enough to make any difference. Farmers use different diesel than the rest of us. Cindy...get Nigel Calder's book..."Boatowner's Mechanical and Electical Manual." It'll tell you the same thing...get the Sta-Bil and the biocide. You'll be glad you did come spring. I'm out of here.
It's a well known fact, condensation occurs in fuel tanks in boats and airplanes. That's it, believe it or not. Tom...Your Cessna's altitude has nothing to do with fuel condensation...if it's only burning 8 gph (a 172 maybe?), it can't get high enough to make any difference. Farmers use different diesel than the rest of us. Cindy...get Nigel Calder's book..."Boatowner's Mechanical and Electical Manual." It'll tell you the same thing...get the Sta-Bil and the biocide. You'll be glad you did come spring. I'm out of here.
Old Tractor
Tom, please tell me that old tractor is an International! Sure nothing runs like a Deere-but nothing smells like a JOHN! IH made the 06 series about 40 years ago (606,706, and the favorite 806). The IH 806 and JD 4020 are probable two of the best machines made for their time. And by the way, the newer smaller John Deeres-made by Yanmar!
Tom, please tell me that old tractor is an International! Sure nothing runs like a Deere-but nothing smells like a JOHN! IH made the 06 series about 40 years ago (606,706, and the favorite 806). The IH 806 and JD 4020 are probable two of the best machines made for their time. And by the way, the newer smaller John Deeres-made by Yanmar!
Fuel
I think we all agree fresh fuel is best. The tank needs to be full over the winter to avoid condensation. So, in order to keep the fuel fresh, it needs to be treated with a stabilizer and some sort of biocide especially if it is going to sit all winter.
I think we all agree fresh fuel is best. The tank needs to be full over the winter to avoid condensation. So, in order to keep the fuel fresh, it needs to be treated with a stabilizer and some sort of biocide especially if it is going to sit all winter.
Diesel Myth
I leave my 82 litter diesel tank at whatever level it ends at the season. If someone wants to heat their home or barn, I'lll be deligthed to give them a few extra gallons. Diesel is very similar with #2 heating oil. One thing I did was install a separate fuel pump and filter for the tank. Whenever I feel like it, I turn on a switch and the fuel gets filtered over and over again. The contraption draws fuel from the bottom of the tank where the water and crap is and run it through a water/fuel separation filter continously. The system can recycle a full tank of fuel in aabout 4 hours drawing less than 0.5 amp. There is a diverter value for me to pump the fuel to a portable container. I usually take old fuel to the recycle depot in the spring and refill with 1/4 tank of fresh fuel, from truck stops. I only fill and keep at 1/4 for regular trips unless I plan to go the distance. What is the point of keeping old fuel for a few years while you can use new one. I have no fuel or tank dirt problem.
I leave my 82 litter diesel tank at whatever level it ends at the season. If someone wants to heat their home or barn, I'lll be deligthed to give them a few extra gallons. Diesel is very similar with #2 heating oil. One thing I did was install a separate fuel pump and filter for the tank. Whenever I feel like it, I turn on a switch and the fuel gets filtered over and over again. The contraption draws fuel from the bottom of the tank where the water and crap is and run it through a water/fuel separation filter continously. The system can recycle a full tank of fuel in aabout 4 hours drawing less than 0.5 amp. There is a diverter value for me to pump the fuel to a portable container. I usually take old fuel to the recycle depot in the spring and refill with 1/4 tank of fresh fuel, from truck stops. I only fill and keep at 1/4 for regular trips unless I plan to go the distance. What is the point of keeping old fuel for a few years while you can use new one. I have no fuel or tank dirt problem.
Sorry Andy it's a Ford
Orville was a Ford man. Cars ,mini van ,trucks and tractors. I think that it is a 5000 made in the early 60's. Orville and his brother John were swinging guys who thought that a tractor show or livestock auction was the only and best way to spend a Saturday night. They bought and sold old tractors but as far as I know the old Ford did all of the work on the farm. They had attachments for baling hay, digging post holes and of course plowing and discing.
Orville was a Ford man. Cars ,mini van ,trucks and tractors. I think that it is a 5000 made in the early 60's. Orville and his brother John were swinging guys who thought that a tractor show or livestock auction was the only and best way to spend a Saturday night. They bought and sold old tractors but as far as I know the old Ford did all of the work on the farm. They had attachments for baling hay, digging post holes and of course plowing and discing.
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