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10-27-2016, 11:53 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: San Diego
Posts: 912
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3 year old fuel in a MH I am thinking of purchasing
I'm fairly sure a motorhome I am thinking of buying has 3 year old fuel in the tanks. Everything I read about ULSD is that it doesn't last like prior diesel we used to get. Something about its starts breaking down at about a month old. Plus alge etc. Is fuel polishing something I should look into immediately after a purchase? I poked around and it looked like they only filtered it to about 20 micron. But I read somewhere that the secondary cat filter was around 2 micron, was that a typo? Should I find a place that will filter it down to 2 micron, or at least closer to that?
Thanks In advance,
Bill
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10-28-2016, 03:42 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Fleetwood Owners Club Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: SoCal
Posts: 15,749
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Do you have an estimate of how much fuel is onboard?
__________________
Vince and Susan
2011 Tiffin Phaeton 40QTH (Cummins ISC/Freightliner)
Flat towing a modified 2005 Jeep (Rubicon Wrangler)
Previously a 2002 Fleetwood Pace Arrow 37A and a 1995 Safari Trek 2830.
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10-28-2016, 07:40 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Newmar Owners Club Freightliner Owners Club
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Odessa, Tx.
Posts: 845
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Algae growth usually happens in warmer southern climates, I have read.
Polishing will cost more than the fuel is worth I bet.
As bad as I would hate to dispose of fuel you might be time, money and aggravation ahead by draining it and replacing filters then adding new fuel.
__________________
John and Sue from W. Texas
2001 DSDP, 3126B Cat
"the Oilfield PAID me to retire, so I did" :-)
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10-28-2016, 08:24 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: San Diego
Posts: 912
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It looks like there maybe 50 gallons of fuel and Its in Southern California. I would think disposing of 50 gallons of diesel may be very difficult.
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10-28-2016, 09:38 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,920
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The fuel may be useful, but it may need to be "polished". This is done by running it through a filter a few times. For example, using a pump and some hose and a filter you pull it out and dump it back into the tank in one process, but let it run for a few hours so the majority of contaminants are run through the filter. No need to move the fuel to another receptacle. Best done outdoors.
You can do it in the vehicle by filling the tank with new fuel and running it at limited power - a significant portion of the fuel is returned to the tank on a continuous basis. If you do it in the vehicle you will need to start with a new filter and change filters after a few hours. If you can't prime it and change the fuel filter you may need to get it done on an emergency basis at the side of the road!
__________________
Paul
2006 Patriot Thunder C13 Allison 4000
2010 Ford Flex Ecoboost AWD
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10-28-2016, 09:40 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,920
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By the way, you didn't mention what kind of coach, but you are best NOT running that fuel through the generator or Aquahot if you have one. Those should be drained, new filters added, and started with fresh fuel.
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Paul
2006 Patriot Thunder C13 Allison 4000
2010 Ford Flex Ecoboost AWD
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10-28-2016, 09:53 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: N. E. Ohio & Lady Lake Fl.
Posts: 1,120
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Three year old fuel is most likely not a problem. Take a small sample and have a look. It should be quite obvious if it has a problem. If it looks clear I would use it up, then start fresh with new fuel and filters.
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Ron WD8CBT
I started out with nothing and I still have most of it left
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10-28-2016, 10:17 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Fulltime, USA
Posts: 16,706
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^^^^^^
The most sensible post
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10-28-2016, 11:19 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Out there, somewhere
Posts: 9,867
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Quote:
Originally Posted by powderman
Three year old fuel is most likely not a problem. Take a small sample and have a look. It should be quite obvious if it has a problem. If it looks clear I would use it up, then start fresh with new fuel and filters.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CampDaven
^^^^^^
The most sensible post
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Well,
To me, these two posts do make sense. Has ANYBODY ever seen or, had REAL LIFE experience with BAD diesel fuel that has aged like what the OP is contending with? I've seen bag gasoline in my past and the results of age on it but, I've never seen aged diesel and have been around it for years.
Scott
__________________
2004 ITASCA HORIZON 36GD, 2011 GMC Sierra 1500 4x4 Toad '20 Honda NC750X DCT
Retired-29.5 yrs, SDFD, Ham - KI6OND
Me, Karla and the Heidi character, (mini Schnauzer)!
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10-28-2016, 11:50 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Fleetwood Owners Club
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,391
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Just run it and change filters a little sooner.
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10-28-2016, 12:15 PM
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#11
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Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 8,777
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BigBillSD
I'm fairly sure a motorhome I am thinking of buying has 3 year old fuel in the tanks. Everything I read about ULSD is that it doesn't last like prior diesel we used to get. Something about its starts breaking down at about a month old. Plus alge etc. Is fuel polishing something I should look into immediately after a purchase? I poked around and it looked like they only filtered it to about 20 micron. But I read somewhere that the secondary cat filter was around 2 micron, was that a typo? Should I find a place that will filter it down to 2 micron, or at least closer to that?
Thanks In advance,
Bill
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BigBillSD
It looks like there maybe 50 gallons of fuel and Its in Southern California. I would think disposing of 50 gallons of diesel may be very difficult.
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BigBillSD
There are a lot of MHs for sale without 50 gallons of 3 year old fuel in the tank(s)..... why not simply think of buying one of them?
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10-28-2016, 05:36 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: San Diego
Posts: 912
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Appears this was all moot, the owner told me he got a deposit from someone.
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10-28-2016, 07:29 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Southern California
Posts: 1,550
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Quote:
Originally Posted by distaff
The fuel may be useful, but it may need to be "polished". This is done by running it through a filter a few times. For example, using a pump and some hose and a filter you pull it out and dump it back into the tank in one process, but let it run for a few hours so the majority of contaminants are run through the filter. No need to move the fuel to another receptacle. Best done outdoors.
You can do it in the vehicle by filling the tank with new fuel and running it at limited power - a significant portion of the fuel is returned to the tank on a continuous basis. If you do it in the vehicle you will need to start with a new filter and change filters after a few hours. If you can't prime it and change the fuel filter you may need to get it done on an emergency basis at the side of the road!
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For further clarification, in a gas Scenario, the contaminants will probably be at the bottom of the fuel tank. What about diesel:
1. Bottom of tank
2. Top of tank
3. Suspended
4. Or all of the above
__________________
2006 Monaco Signature 45' Commander IV ISX 600 & 12.5 KW Genset
2013 Avalanche toad
And a rather large and very hairy Bear for a traveling companion
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10-28-2016, 07:34 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Southern California
Posts: 1,550
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BigBillSD
Appears this was all moot, the owner told me he got a deposit from someone.
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There are a lot of MH on the market. And with the 2017's arriving, there will be a lot more.
Take your time and keep looking. Don't let this one bother you at all.
__________________
2006 Monaco Signature 45' Commander IV ISX 600 & 12.5 KW Genset
2013 Avalanche toad
And a rather large and very hairy Bear for a traveling companion
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