diesel

I really don't know but I've had diesel left around for a few years and used it in my fired heaters without any problems, never used it in my tractors, I have used diesel from last season that didn't get used in my bulk fuel tanks in my tractor and it worked fine, I do treat it with a fuel lubricator/water treatment. I don't think diesel waxes up like gasoline but I could be wrong. At today's prices I won't be throwing any diesel out.
 
Here they have a winter time blend where they treat the diesel with the additive needed for it to sustain the cold weather without gelling. I also treat it myself just to be sure. Probably overkill but in the wintertime one tank of gas will last till well into the spring. 6 months or more. By May I usually top off the tank with fresh diesel just to be sure. I've never had an issue working it this way.
 
From what I've read - years. I think the first problem will be bacteria growing to the point where they will muck up your fuel filter. Sta-bil etc can prevent or treat that. Also condensation in the container or fuel tank can leave a layer of water at the bottom of the tank.

I bought an old tractor that had been parked so long there was a prominent 'bathtub ring' in the plastic fuel tank. The exhaust burned my eyes so bad I think it was pre-1993 full sulphur diesel. It didn't want to start quite as easily as fresh fuel but aside from this and the nasty exhaust, the tractor ran fine and the fuel filter didn't show anything after an initial asprin-size drop of water.

Don't worry about it.
 
Like CA said, keep the bacteria out and hit it with a cetane boost. Both are additives. My diesel is several years old. Never had a problem after giving proper treatments. As far as I'm concerned, treated diesel is good for 10 years.
 
I have read;(untreated) gas 1 year, diesel 2 years, propane forever.

However I've used both gas & diesel twice that old but usually diluted with fresh fuel. This past summer I used 20 gallons of 5-6 year old gas in my pick up 5 gallons at a time with each fill up. Ran smooth as fresh fuel.
 
thanks guys - I have about 10 gallons left from deer season for my 1100 and wanted to make sure it was ok to save till September to use
 
Diesel is kept in base tanks for standby generators for years. The main problem with old Diesel is that microbes can form bacteria and fungus, and clog your fuel filter. The problem is exacerbated by water from condensation in the tank. If you're gong to leave diesel in a tank, keep it as full as possible to minimize condensation. I would also treat it periodically with biocide.
 
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