Is old diesel fuel safe to use?

[Plum]

In my pole barn I found a 5 gal. metal can full of what I believe is Premier Ag diesel fuel. It's at least a couple years old. If I try using it - is there an additive I can put in it to "freshen" it up before I put in my "new" Massey Ferguson 1723E tractor ?

 

[DCDG]

In my pole barn I found a 5 gal. metal can full of what I believe is Premier Ag diesel fuel. It's at least a couple years old. If I try using it - is there an additive I can put in it to "freshen" it up before I put in my "new" Massey Ferguson 1723E tractor ?

Why would you do that? Personally I would recycle the fuel accordingly and purchase new fuel. You say (believe) you don't know what could have been poured or gotten into that can.

 

[BobsArmory]

You could mix it into your tank a couple gallons at a time but I would be afraid of all the microbes that might be living in the old fuel. Your tank and fuel filter could be full of slime a couple months from now

 

[nwjones18]

I suspect 2 yo diesel wouldn't cause any issues as long as it hasn't gotten moisture in it... Having said that I'd use it for cleaning or starting a bonfire.. I learned my lesson with old gas trying to pour a couple gallons in each of the 2 full tanks on my old F-150.. Had to replace clogged fuel injectors..

 

[kschachn]

No, there isn't a way to reverse oxidation and other detrimental changes to fuel with an additive. Despite any claims to the contrary.

 

[dadto2]

I agree with the suggestion to save for starting bonfires

 

[thastinger]

I've ran diesel that was 10 years old, stored in a 55 gal drum isolated from concrete floor contact. Pour some in a pan and have a look, if it looks ok it probably is ok.

 

[Rand]

I probably wouldnt run it in a new tractor

I'd be tempted to save it for burning brush etc.

At the least I'd inspect and filter it.. might have diesel "algae" growing in it.

 

[Fordiesel69]

In my pole barn I found a 5 gal. metal can full of what I believe is Premier Ag diesel fuel. It's at least a couple years old. If I try using it - is there an additive I can put in it to "freshen" it up before I put in my "new" Massey Ferguson 1723E tractor ?

Terrible question to try to answer. I assume you are currently using a biocide treatment in your fuels anyways. If not, very much start doing it. Dose the fuel to the upper tier of what the additive recommends, and let it set to sterilize, then yes you can use it in a mechanical injected diesel.

However if you are using a modern high tech fully digital controlled diesel where the injection system costs as much as the whole tractor, skip and use the fuel for solvent or recycle it.

 

[TnT_M]

Diesel fuel doesn't go bad like gasoline. The filtration on the fuel system of a diesel is way better as well, but it's up to you if you want to use it in a brand new tractor I guess.

 

[CleanSump]

I'd only be worried about water or microbial sludge. It it looks milky, has water on the bottom, or has black stuff in it, don't put it in your tank. I keep 5 gallon cans full in the garage in case I forget or the fuel oil company delays for some reason. No problem with them and I usually end up putting them in my car or the furnace tank once a year.