Degraded diesel?!
 

I have a chance to get about 18 gallons of 'degraded diesel fuel' for free... supposedly from an old bus that has been sitting around... I know diesel can last a long time, I'm just a little worried about possible water contamination - is there a way to test for water in it?

James

For $50 bucks or so of fuel I wouldn't bother with it, or you could add some water remover additive to play it safe.

"Degraded" could also very well mean chock full of microbe growth.

Either way, it might be good for a Babbington burner or furnace but not a piston engine.

Yeah, you'd be better off dumping it into an oil-burning furnace. Keep it as emergency fuel in case you run out would be a good idea.

I would use it to kill grass and weeds.

Burns brush piles as well ! ;)

It's great for spraying on plows, harrows, discs, etc.

I use Kolor Kut water finding paste, however you can simply pour some fuel in to a five gallon bucket, let it rest a few minutes, then very carefully pour off in to a second container. If there is water it will have settled to the bottom of the first bucket and will be visible when pouring in to the second container. If you see water, discard it according to local codes and keep the fuel.

I end up with a few gallons of PCW, "Non Regulated Material Liquid" "Petroleum Contact Water" when I clean tanks and I follow the procedure above before I use the fuel.

Good Luck

18 gallons of fuel system problems.
Use it?
I dont think so!!
It has many other uses. Put it in one of those uses.
You dont need the potential head aches.