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How Do I? Diesel stored in jerry cans

northend

In Fourth Gear
Is anyone old enough to remember the fuel strike of 2001? Well, during that bleak period I secreted away 80 litres of diesel in four jerry cans and put them behind our shed.

There they lay until today when I found them again. The cans are all solid (having been mainly protected by a tarp.

The question is, can anyone tell me if the diesel will be OK to use after all this time? I suspect it will and I plan to filter it, but does anyone think otherwise?

Any views will be most welcome.

Simon.
 
As derv is oil rather than a spirit then I would say that it wouldn't deteriorate that quickly.
I started a petrol car which had been stood for over ten years and the leaded fuel in the tank was fine.
Filter the fuel so as no rust from inside the top of the jerry cans get through and I would say use it.:)

Just had a thought...dont use it, bring it round to me and I'll dispose of it for you for free.
 
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You say the cans are all solid?

Are you saying they have waxed up?

I know they put parafin wax into diesel, and it can wax-up at low temps.

Probably best to leave it untill summer - then use it 50/50 with newer stuff.
 
The question is, can anyone tell me if the diesel will be OK to use after all this time? I suspect it will and I plan to filter it, but does anyone think otherwise?

Diesel is hygroscopic and it attracts moisture from the atmosphere. If the jerry cans were extremely well sealed then the diesel will have absorbed very little water and should be OK to use.

There are two other issues. The first is rust particles from the jerry cans which will be removed by filtering, and the second is a bacterial growth that can occur in some diesels. There are nearly 30 different types of bateria and yeasts that can be found in diesel, and in the presense of moisture, they grow rapidly. A visual inspection of the diesel will show up bacteria though. If it looks clear and golden/straw coloured then it's probably OK. If it's milky or isn't a transparent liquid, then it will need treatment.

But whether the diesel has absorbed water or not, I'd clean out the sedimenter bowl, fit a new filter, and just use the diesel. You could use a 50/50 mixture with fresh fuel if you're worried.
 
If, as said above, the diesel is clear then it will be fine.
Filtering will remove any solids and if any water is in there it will have gone to the bottom cos oil floats even on 1cm of water.

If you are really worried pass the whole lot through a home-made (to keep costs low) filter sytem. Personally I would just filter it using a paper filter as this will stop the solids, and absorb any small amounts of water.
A good source for cheap filters and filter bowls for a small home-made filter is a central heating supplies that sell bits for oil fired boilers.
Kevin
 
Thanks all.

Richie - no I meant that the jerry cans have not corroded. The diesel is liquid.

I'll start the filtering process and report back!!

Cheers.
 
I would just slosh it in :) But im lazy.. Disco I bought had a full tank of diesel and has sat for about 6 months.. starts on the button and no smoke, which is nice :)

(The full tank of diesel and four new tyres made the deal)
 
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