diesel

if you fill them to the top you should be ok .the algy problem seems to happen when there is an air gap for moisture etc
mechpete

Gaz - Here's the all the info, straight from the horse's mouth, so to speak.

Long term storage of diesel

Keep the air content in the containers to a minimum, keep the containers sealed, and keep the temperature variations to a minimum.
Wide temperature fluctuations promote the formation of condensation and bugs such as algae.

The price of oil is not likely to rise substantially in the near future, so no need to rush in.
The increase in fuel tax due to indexation being re-applied to automotive fuels is not going to add substantial amounts to the bowser price. It will more of a sneaking, steady, 1 cent increase, every 6 months. At least the indexation money is (reputedly) being put towards better roads. Well, that's this weeks political promise, anyway.

Cheers, Ron.

Hi Gaz 290.

Yes you can store diesel for some time.
Ive stored it for 5+ years and its still ok.

The BP website has an informative article about it if you search for it.

Start with clean containers free from moisture/ debrits etc.
As already mentioned, diesel alge feeds between the layers of fuel and water.

Take the water/ moisture out and it has nowhere to grow.
Yes you could add an additive like Chemtec, or the Toyota diesel treatment as they have biocides to prevent alge forming, and claim to help with storage times.

Its recomended to use diesel that is available during winter for storage, as diesel can wax up in cold weather, and summer produced diesel is different from winter produced diesel.
Thus you have stored fuel that will be ok all year round.

There is also Winter diesel, or alpine diesel specially made to cope with below zero temperatures that is available in alpine regions. (added for clarification).

Diesel will degrade over time, and it seems that the greater problem is that some of the fuel comes out of suspention, and can cause blockages in fuel filters as a result.

Its common that large diesel storage, that may not be used for some time, Ie farm use, has an active filtration system in place to filter out those particles that fall out of suspention as the fuel ages.

Some dont bother with that, and just change their fuel filters when needed, or say its not a problem, but its worth knowing it can happen as the fuel ages.

I have used diesel that is several years old with no known issues, (same milage, same power, same engine noise etc ), and when I changed the fuel filter later in the year, it was clean, unblocked, and probably ok for more use, but I changed it anyway.

So yes, use clean containers that seal well, minimal air space, and store in a cool, even temp place if possible and you should be good to go.

Maybe you could get some 205lt drums from a garage, and use them.

Avoid fuel storage that is vented to atmospehere as you loose a portion of the volatile, and you maximise your exposure to moisture, and thats where the trouble starts.

Enjoy the convenience of spare fuel when you need it.

Cheers

Trains

Ps, Hi Stephen, yay, I can post once again, still with the old system, must be a change in the code here.

Properly stored diesel can last a very long time....especially if you filter it before you use it ....... far longer than most of the fuel companies will tell you.

Modern unleaded petrol on the other hand goes off pretty quick...most of the fuel companies speak of 60 day maximum shelf life...and then when well stored.

cheers

Gaz
All good replies, for what it is worth I have found some sediment in my jerrys in the past with diesel stored for about a year.
Or you can add chemtec or similar additive
But is begs the question, for a possible saving of about 10c is it worth it all? The additive would cost you more.
CJ

I have often stored Diesel for long periods and have added Proma .
The fuel has been in good condition when decanted.