I have a relative has a few hundred gallons of diesel its pretty old like he payed $0.60 a gallon old. is it safe to run or will it destroy my motor?

 

i wouldnt run it, but thats just me.. especially if he paid those prices for it thats some old diesel! id just use it for some good bonfires

 

Yes it is OLD he bought in the early to mid 90s

 

Ya I wouldnt run it.. I would assume its the same as gas.. and gas can go bad in matter of 6 months.. bonfires sounds like a good plan for it

 

Diesel typically stays usable for about a year or a bit more if kept at 20 degrees Celsius or lower. The warmer the diesel, the shorter the storage life. When kept at temperatures above 30 degrees Celsius, expect the diesel to last between 6 to 12 months, according to British Petroleum (BP).

Aged Fuel

When diesel goes bad and gets old, gum and sediment form. This reaction happens because of the reaction of the fuel and oxygen together. This sediment blocks up the filters and sometimes leads to an engine stalling. Also, the sediment and gum don't burn well and often lead to carbon deposits on the injectors.

Testing

To make sure diesel won't go bad immediately, manufacturers put the fuel sample through an oxidation stability test. They store the fuel at 120 degrees Celsius for 16 hours then measure the sediment deposits, according to BP. If the test produces 20 mg/L or less of sediment, the diesel passes the stability test. This mimics diesel kept at 25 degrees Celsius for a year.

Prevention/Solution

To uphold the longest storage life possible, diesel owners should drain water from the storage tanks every week, says BP. Storage tanks should have a cone-down shape to allow condensed water to collect. Keeping the tanks full, however, keeps water condensation to a minimum and prolongs the diesel's life. Also, every 10 years owners should empty and clean the storage tanks to prevent corrosion.

Considerations

Diesel sediment production happens quicker when exposed to dirt, water, zinc and copper. Also, exposure to higher temperatures decreases the diesel's usable life. Keeping the diesel away from these elements helps prolong its life and prevents engine damage.

 

I prety sure diesel can form allgie or fungus so I wouldnt run it in my truck but if you have a duece and a half go for it those things run on **** just filter it

 

not that i'm awhere of i had a boss that ran diesel that was 40 years old and the truck wasn't hurt smoke alittile but was so no diesel dosn't go bad like gas dos go ahead and run it it won't hurt it.

 

Based on one experience with your bosses truck?

 

i wouldn't run diesel older than a year old

 

I'd filter it and run it in a 12 valve.