(800) 853-2651
SHOP NOW

How long does diesel last?

C

cjk

Member
Just got off the phone with the oil company and diesel is $1.79gal delivered to the farm. Ive only got one 275gal tank and was thinking about getting another and filling it while the price is low. After paying $4.00 last year I almost laughed when she told me $1.79.

I am estimating my usage at 250gal a year. I may be way off as this is the first year we will be haying our own place.

So my question. Will the fuel still be good in 2010 if stored in a sealed tank in the shed? The tanks are used heating fuel oil tanks I get for free from the local HVAC guy.

THANKS

ps. Im brand new to farming so you can expect a lot more questions in the future.
 
CJK, in all honesty I don't like to keep diesel fuel too long. Since the sulfur has been practically taken out bacteria/algae can grow much easier and faster. I don't even like to keep diesel over a couple of months. With any amount of biodiesel in the mix this will go even faster. You will hear stories that the "shelf life" of diesel is a very long time. Believe me, it very often is not. If you want to protect your price, why not just prepay and then take delivery when you need it? If you keep fuel for very long put some treatment in it to kill the bacteria and/or algae. Mike
 
I am using some that is 10 years old. No problem. I do have a filter right where the hose attaches to the bulk tank.
 
And tell your supplier to bring you 100% diesel. Bio-diesel does not keep well. I use about 200-250 gallons a year and can only store 110 at a time. Never had a problem. I always put an additive in before the tank is filled.

Now in my Semi it doesn't keep at all. 200 gallon tanks, and I have to fill them every day or two. Must have a leak somewhere! LOL
 
It spent a very long time in the ground,a couple of years in a tank shouldnt hurt it.You would probably want to put a filter on your tank to catch the water,algae,rust,whatever.The new stuff has not been around very long,but as thin as it is it could last even longer than the old stuff.Im not an expert,but I have burned thousands of gallons of Diesel.
Also I have read years ago where places that are discount fuel sellers like Wal Mart,Break Time,or others,buy fuel thats been stored a while.They dont buy it direct from the refinery like other places,they buy it on the market as cheap as possible.So say Exxon has 10 million gallons of diesel in storage,they make 10 million new gallons,so they have a place to put the new stuff they offer it on the market for less to get it out of their tank.Break Time or others might not have a refinery,so they are happy to buy it if their tanks are empty and sell it for less than the big boys.All that could have changed now,I dont know.I have noticed that they are all about the same price here any more no matter what name is on it.
 
I have been noticing a lot of free oil tanks on Craigs list for free, come get them. Been told you suppose to have a license to remove them that's why there free otherwise it could cost them couple hundred bucks. I may still try to go after one if its only a couple years old.
 
You mention in a sealed tank in the shed. Tank does need a vented cap, and in the shade is a good idea.
 
A couple years will be no problem. I junked a old diesel tank that had been on the place for 45 years, and not being used. It stll had about 40 gal of diesel. I drained it into a 55 gal drum. It still looked good. I only use it for cleaning parts, and my steam cleaner. Stan
 
HEY! its already over that just how many more millions of years do want it to last. giggle,
Walt

If its in a dry clean tank and it doesn't get algae in it, it should last for just as long as you do. The black algae will pass though some engines OK but forget Cat engines it will block the metal filter in second.
 
I have heard that stored diesel has to be turned inside a tank at times to keep it ok.Like mixing it up inside of tank where it set... Is this ok? are bad info.
 
cjk: I don't know how long, however I burnt 125 gallons last fall, and into winter that has been in a 250 gallon on farm tank since 1984. Not a problem.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

T
Black diesel
Replies
10
Views
1K
Texasmark
T
R
how much air will my diesel suck up from a leaking tank
Replies
11
Views
925
ratface
R
T
706 Diesel Died.
Replies
9
Views
465
jhncp
J
C
fuel oil in a diesel engine
Replies
10
Views
2K
chevytaHOE5674
C
Bruce from Can.
Mild winter and diesel fuel
Replies
16
Views
464
moresmoke
M
Tractor Parts Tractor Manuals

We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today.

Copyright © 1997-2024 Yesterday's Tractor Co.

All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of any part of this website, including design and content, without written permission is strictly prohibited. Trade Marks and Trade Names contained and used in this Website are those of others, and are used in this Website in a descriptive sense to refer to the products of others. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy TRADEMARK DISCLAIMER: Tradenames and Trademarks referred to within Yesterday's Tractor Co. products and within the Yesterday's Tractor Co. websites are the property of their respective trademark holders. None of these trademark holders are affiliated with Yesterday's Tractor Co., our products, or our website nor are we sponsored by them. John Deere and its logos are the registered trademarks of the John Deere Corporation. Agco, Agco Allis, White, Massey Ferguson and their logos are the registered trademarks of AGCO Corporation. Case, Case-IH, Farmall, International Harvester, New Holland and their logos are registered trademarks of CNH Global N.V.

Yesterday's Tractors - Antique Tractor Headquarters
Website Accessibility Policy

Back
Top