Does Diesel go bad?

[impalator]

Probably a stupid question... But I'll ask it anyway.

I was thinking about having a bunch of Diesel in Steel Gas-Cans (20 Liter) stored away at the cabin as there is no Diesel station anywhere near to fill up. I also have an Outboard Tank with 25 Liters mixed (oil / gas mix) for the 2 stroke 25 horse outboard motor and I read somewhere that gas does go bad due to Ethanol content and water build up or something. So I usually pour a bunch of "fuel stabilizer" (the standard cheap stuff you get at Crappy Tire) into the tank - as the boat tank may sit for months and months (over the Winter) before I get going again (same idea for Lawn Mower, Chain Saw and the likes)...

Now would I have to use fuel stabilizer for Diesel as well, or is it not needed ... or more important yet: Does Diesel even go "bad" like ethanol blended gas or is this really of no concern for Diesel?

Thanks for a quick reply

Cheers, Chris

[BCDelica]

Diesel does go bad, the biggest concern with stored diesel is bacteria growth. Not to say that you can’t, or that people don’t use diesel stored for many years, with a few additives like a biocide and a diesel storage product geared towards handling water adsorption. Marine stores are a great source of diesel treatments.

I considered Racor biocide a necessary for both the diesel and WVO in my Delica; too many years working on old fish boats and just can't handle the smell of bacteria in diesel.

[after oil]

Diesel does go bad, the biggest concern with stored diesel is bacteria growth. Not to say that you can’t, or that people don’t use diesel stored for many years, with a few additives like a biocide and a diesel storage product geared towards handling water adsorption. Marine stores are a great source of diesel treatments.

I considered Racor biocide a necessary for both the diesel and WVO in my Delica; too many years working on old fish boats and just can't handle the smell of bacteria in diesel.

whats bad diesel smell like? who sells biocide locally? a neighbor gifted me 100 gallons or more of diesel, but i dont use much so im gonna store it...

[BCDelica]

whats bad diesel smell like? who sells biocide locally? a neighbor gifted me 100 gallons or more of diesel, but i dont use much so im gonna store it...

Stinky, sour. Really bad fruit. Go see Colin and get him to order you a liter of Racor biocide, or a bottle of Bio-Con (SP?) from marine traders. Always heard people say use methyl hydrate, which I don't understand as it's not soluble with water at all.

In Udon Thani a gent has been running his truck for two years on a 'slurry' of water (<30%) and diesel; but the diesel and water are mixed in a little vortex device plumbed between the filter and the IP.

[FalcoColumbarius]

Methyl hydrate is a form of alcohol and is good for evaporating water. I use it as the last process for cleaning out spray guns having used them to spray latex: It evaporates any water left in the gun from rinsing so that it does not rust anything.

Falco.

[wookie]

Racor biocide is available at most napa stores. Or they can order it in.