Can Diesel go bad??

[06reddragon]

I know gas in a car can go bad if it sits for a couple months, but is diesel the same way?? I bought a little beater commuter car(35-40mpg) for work and school(putting 1000miles a week on and can't afford $3.60a gallon haha), so my truck will sit for 2-3 weeks without being ran.

I'm in NW PA so the temps at night are down in the teens and usually below freezing during the day. A tank of fuel will pry last a couple months. Should I put anything in there to help stabilize it, or isn't that necessary like it is with a gas engine??

[CrystalCreek]

Nice truck....Just like mine.

My truck sits just like your as I use the beater car for everything. I try to keep the tank at least half full if not all the way full. Kepp the condensation down. I also add power service diesel conditioner to the tank. one ounce per two gallons. Also I add walmart two stroke to my fuel. One ounce per two gallons. I have had a tank last for three months with no ill effects. Hope this helps.

BTW. You should start it once a week and let it run ten minutes or so just to keep things moving around.

[PGreenSVT]

Yes diesel can go bad and start growing algae and all kinds of bad stuff, though it isn't likely in freezing weather. They make antibacterial and antimicrobial additives for long term storage. If you are not using the truck much in warmer weather you might want to consider them. Once you get algae growing in the fuel system it's a biotch to get rid of.

[CT Performance, Inc.]

Just tried using some 1 year old diesel that was clean with no signs of any containments...bad idea...ran like crap..??

[smokersteve]

St-A-Bil has a diesel formula.

[StrokinKY]

Diesel fuel can gel up if it sits long enough, happened to my New Holland tractor before

[cyclonestroker]

Originally Posted by CrystalCreek

BTW. You should start it once a week and let it run ten minutes or so just to keep things moving around.

I wouldn't start the truck unless you plan to drive it and get it to full operating temp. I've always been told that you don't want to start something just to start it unless you plan on driving it. I know this holds true in motorcycles, not sure about diesel trucks. More else i guess the logic behind it is that you will get build up but because you arent getting full temp and higher rpm you won't blow the crud out. just my .02

[JSchuricht]

My 95 had been sitting for a year and a half when I bought it. I transferred about 40 gallons out of the rear tank into my 2000 before loading the 95 in the trailer. The truck ran better than normal due to the old fuel being LSD.

I have also left my 2000 sitting for 7 months with a full tank and had no issues.

[bfrank81]

Originally Posted by cyclonestroker

I wouldn't start the truck unless you plan to drive it and get it to full operating temp. I've always been told that you don't want to start something just to start it unless you plan on driving it. I know this holds true in motorcycles, not sure about diesel trucks. More else i guess the logic behind it is that you will get build up but because you arent getting full temp and higher rpm you won't blow the crud out. just my .02

That is the philosophy that I follow for everything I own. From my Harley to my lawn mower.

If I were you I would get the stabil stuff and dump a little in there. Better to be safe than sorry.

[Galaxie]

Originally Posted by cyclonestroker

I wouldn't start the truck unless you plan to drive it and get it to full operating temp. I've always been told that you don't want to start something just to start it unless you plan on driving it. I know this holds true in motorcycles, not sure about diesel trucks. More else i guess the logic behind it is that you will get build up but because you arent getting full temp and higher rpm you won't blow the crud out. just my .02

I agree 100%. As a matter of a fact, when I go to the gym, if I go straight home, my oil is only at about 155-160*. I drive the long way a few more miles or I grab some food, it takes my oil up to 185-190