Community Forums

vsheetz · 10-22-2017, 08:57 AM

Sta-bil here in gasoline engines. In the emergency portable generator for the house and the spare gas kept on hand for it. Also in the duel fuel tanks of my old truck that gets driven very little and is a further fuel supply for the generator if needed.

BFlinn181 · 10-22-2017, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deeojoe

Diesel fuel will turn into jelly if it gets too cold and that will be a problem. Would add some kind of diesel fuel stabilizer and run the fuel level down.

It's much better to store with a full tank of diesel to reduce the ability of moisture to get into the fuel. It's the moisture that promotes algae growth.

I've used diesel vehicles as daily drivers for over 25 years in Ohio winters. Never had an issue. The wax in non-winterized fuel will start to gel at about 10-20º. If running, the gel will clog filters and other narrow passages of the system. Pouring hot water or using a hair dryer on the filter will dissolve the gel.

In a stored diesel engine, the fuel will gel at low temperatures, but by spring's warmer weather, the gel will dissolve back into solution and be ready to run. No need for anti-gelling additives if it's parked for the cold weather. Kerosene can be added if you do want to extend the use of the diesel fuel in winter.

wa8yxm · 10-22-2017, 09:03 AM

IN the old days I used Sta-Bil But with the advent of E-10 was advised ORIGINAL Sta-bil did not work well so.. (Sta-Bil has new formulas now so this may no longer apply)

When I blew my engine I went with SeaFoam.. 3 years later give or take a month we cranked up the replacement engine

1st time Serious valve clatter and another sound I could not hear but he mechanic could
2nd time Still clatter and he found the source of the other sound
3rd time Purred like a kitten and the other sound was eliminated as well

NOTE: THe valve clatter was expected. No surprise there (Take a bit for the hydraulid self-adjusting lifters to self adjust don't you know).

As of 2 weeks ago tomorrow.. Still purring .

Cat320 · 10-22-2017, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BFlinn181

Diesel fuel doesn't really need a stabilizer, diesel doesn't turn to varnish or gum up things like gasoline does. STA-BIL does make a diesel fuel stabilizer, but I've started diesel heavy equipment that has been left in a field for over 3 years and started with little effort. STA-BIL Diesel Stabilizer.

STA-BIL also makes a Diesel Biocide.

Sea Foam also makes products for diesel engines.

I'm going to have to disagree with you. This is diesel number four, including a boat diesel, and they do need a biocide if they sit for a long time. The constant change in temperature will eventually result in some water in the fuel. Biocides are very strong. Where SeaFoam uses one ounce per gallon of fuel, a biocide uses less than two ounces for 150 gallons. Here's a quote from a marine web site:

"Diesel Biocide prevents microbial growth in diesel fuel. Water can be the most damaging problem to diesel fuel systems, it is the source of a living, breathing and evolving problems that cause; bacteria, fungi and algae growth, poor performance, rust and corrosion where fuel and water separate."

BFlinn181 · 10-22-2017, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cat320

I'm going to have to disagree with you. This is diesel number four, including a boat diesel, and they do need a biocide if they sit for a long time. The constant change in temperature will eventually result in some water in the fuel. Biocides are very strong. Where SeaFoam uses one ounce per gallon of fuel, a biocide uses less than two ounces for 150 gallons. Here's a quote from a marine web site:

"Diesel Biocide prevents microbial growth in diesel fuel. Water can be the most damaging problem to diesel fuel systems, it is the source of a living, breathing and evolving problems that cause; bacteria, fungi and algae growth, poor performance, rust and corrosion where fuel and water separate."

I view a stabilizer as an additive that prevents the fuel, gas or diesel, from degrading into an unignitable fluid. A biocide is an additive that prevents algae or slime from developing in diesel fuel, usually due to moisture in the fuel. A marine environment is quite different than most inland RV storage lots. In my above example of starting bulldozers and other diesel engines after 3 years of outside storage, it was at over 7,000' in Wyoming, where the humidity is usually less than 15%, but they do get up to 9' of snow from October to early May. No additives of any type were used in the equipment, they are used to maintain mining claims, which only required a periodic 'working' of the claims to keep them in effect. Getting the engines going required adding a charged battery and sometimes a bit of ether.

W0GEN · 10-22-2017, 05:26 PM

Check out B3C Products, their Ethanol Shield is a 3 year stabilizer.
I owned a Generac Sales and Service Dealership and used this product on portable generators and did not have issues. The same company also has a diesel products line that I use as well, it takes care of Fungal Growth!

Gas:
https://www.amazon.com/B3C-Fuel-Solu...8714451&sr=8-5

Diesel:
https://www.amazon.com/B3C-Fuel-Solu...rds=b3c+diesel

Cat320 · 10-22-2017, 06:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BFlinn181

...I view a stabilizer as an additive that prevents the fuel, gas or diesel, from degrading into an unignitable fluid. A biocide is an additive that prevents algae or slime from developing in diesel fuel, usually due to moisture in the fuel. A marine environment is quite different than most inland RV storage lots. ...

Basically I agree with you. However a marine environment is no different than an RV storage lot when it comes to water in the fuel. Sun comes up and goes down and fuel heats and cools...bottom line, condensation and water in the fuel. That's why I use a biocide...and I'm not parked in the sun.

BFlinn181 · 10-22-2017, 07:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cat320

Basically I agree with you. However a marine environment is no different than an RV storage lot when it comes to water in the fuel. Sun comes up and goes down and fuel heats and cools...bottom line, condensation and water in the fuel. That's why I use a biocide...and I'm not parked in the sun.

I grew up on the Chesapeake Bay. A marine environment is very different than inland areas. The body of water moderates temperatures, the humidity is higher are just two. I'm not arguing against biocides. I do question what you're using 4D diesel (#4) in. It's usually only used in slow RPM, stationary engines.