Fuel

[NetMagi]

New BX25D owner, and I've yet to even use up the fuel in the tank. I love how efficient this unit is. My old Husqvarna DRANK gas with the Kawasaki V-Twin.

About a year ago I picked up a cheap diesel generator, which promptly self destructed at the 20-hr mark. Before it self-destructed, I had picked up 5 nice new metal 5-gallon fuel jugs. I filled them all with diesel from my local station mid-January last year (so just under a year ago) so that I'd have fuel for the diesel generator. I had also bought some PRI-D to treat the diesel at the time, but never added it, as I kind of forgot about everything when the generator self-destructed.

Fast-forward to November last year, when I saw the cans in the garage, and thought, gee, should probably add that PRI-D, which I did

Now, I've got the brand new BX25D, and I'm looking at these cans and wondering if the fuel is safe. . .

A quick google search yields lots of articles saying that modern diesel fuel is no good only a month of two after purchase, but these same articles are generally written by the guys selling the stabilizers

Now, I *DID* treat the fuel with PRI-D, but not until after letting it sit for nearly 11 months. If I believe PRI-D, the fuel is now 100% safe to use, because their product magically fixed it I'd like to believe that, but I'm highly skeptical and DO NOT want to damage my nice brand-new diesel.

What would you do? (see poll)

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Use it as fuel to burn slash piles!
It's most likely bad, and could really mess up your BX!

 

[Bluegill]

If it looks & smells like diesel and has been stored inside I'd use it in the tractor.
I've stored diesel up to around a year with no problems.

 

[coachgeo]

If the tanks were really full and your not in a humid climate I would agree with Bluegill BUTTT to be on the safe side.... use it at say 20% mix with new diesel.

 

[Tx Jim]

NetMagi
I agree I'd use the stored fuel in any of my 4 tractors even my M7040.

 

[skeets]

I would be a tad hesitant on using it,, Look fuel is cheap compared to having to take the filters off, and replace, drain the tank, and refill with new fuel then have to change the filters again to get what ever algae or water or what ever out of it,, naww I am a cheap SOB, but that stuff would go to the brush pile and I would buy FRESH fuel,, just MHO

 

[pendoreille]

Ever try to get a chain saw started with old fuel....blisters, sweat, cussing and then throwing

 

[OldeEnglish]

If you burn oil for heat, cut it 10% with some kerosene and throw it in your oil tank. Your boiler will burn that right up with no problems. If not, any local garage that burns wate oil will gladly take it from you. It also works well for a water repellant with wood, used to coat my snowmobile trailer with it.

 

[Tomcat]

Got anything else you can run it in besides your new BX? Can't agree with the others about burning the slash, etc.

 

[85Hokie]

Ever try to get a chain saw started with old fuel....blisters, sweat, cussing and then throwing

Been there done that .....as I get older .....I stop throwing ......well, ok maybe not!

about a week ago - the power went out, home alone -bored to death, I said hell, I 'll get the genny up and running, went outside, choked the ol' girl, pulled and pulled and pulled........... (no ethanol gas and had been stabilized)

after pulling the plug, and that was a cluster fck .......no start!!!

so i cussed and quit, power came on 30 minutes later.....

then that weekend I went in the shed, took a screwdriver handle , tapped on the float......choked and pulled .....second pull, ran like a charm!!!!

funny how the brain STOPS working when you are pissed !

 

[Patrick BX]

Diesel fuel is a light oil, oil doesn't go bad from sitting. Lots of diesel equipment around here on the farms that sit for most of the year (like the combines) with fuel in the tanks and no problems. Algae in the fuel is pretty unlikely in new cans in your climate. If it were me I would pour it through a funnel with a screen in it and run it in the tractor, maybe fill up the first time when there is still 1/2 tank of new fuel in it. I would sell it on craigslist before just throwing it on a fire. Someone will buy it.

 

[Kubota Newbie]

3 years ago I bought a Kubota M4500 that hadn't moved in at least 5 years (sat outside). The tank was about 1/2 full. Started and ran perfectly even after all that time (and the weather in Ohio isn't the best for partially filled fuel containers). As long as the lids were on tight it'll be fine. Put a splash of Diesel 911 in each can if it makes you feel better.

 

[DocGP]

Yep, diesel no problem. Can sit like propane if no moisture accumulates.

Run it and don't worry.

If I was going to store it long term, I would add an algicide.

After Rita, we started keeping diesel long term. No issues what-so-ever. Runs fine. Kubota's, cummins, power stroke...

Doc

 

[Bulldog]

Now if you had stored the fuel in plastic cans and had it sitting where sunlight could get to the fuel I would worry. Having it in metal can stored inside I don't see a problem. If it was mine I would filter it and use it.

 

[Tx Jim]

Ever try to get a chain saw started with old fuel....blisters, sweat, cussing and then throwing

Only chain saws I've been around operated on gasoline not diesel. Non bio-diesel will store a long time with no ill affects.

 

[volp]

My old MF35 have sometimes been filled up only once a year. No additive! Always start at once!

Anders

 

[NetMagi]

Thank you all for the replies. I don't have any other use for the fuel, and the majority opinion seems to be that it's probably fine.

They are metal cans, they're filled to the brim (very little airspace), and stored inside a detached garage. It's not heated, but is insulated.

I picked up a Mr. Funnel fuel filter funnel and will be running the fuel through that, as well as diluting the fuel 50/50 with new and fresh diesel just to be safe.

I have 4 full cans, and one half-full can, so I'll top off the half-full can with fresh diesel, use the whole thing, than fill that can to the halfway mark from a full can, top off both of those cans with fresh diesel, and rinse and repeat until I'm through all of it.

 

[Bulldog]

With that much fuel you'll about be set for the year unless you have a really long honey-do-list.

 

[nickelplated5s]

Around here and I'm pretty sure nation wide highway, red and heating oil are all the same. 5% bio diesel and ULSD. That said I'd use it.