Ideal diesel fuel can mix/formula for long term storage? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

1983 300CD · #1 10-05-2018, 03:29 AM

I have one of the round 7 liter Mercedes fuel cans that sit in the spare tire. I got it because I'm not built to walk for miles anymore and I figure some day my fuel gauge is going to tank and I'll be the last to know.

I'd really prefer to fill the can up and then "set it and forget it" IF that is even possible. Diesel fuel stabilizers still recommend service intervals and fuel "use by" dates. Aside from a scheduled routine like that could I mix up 7 liters of burnable fuel that would hold up longer? Since our engines can run, or atleast get by, on all manner of oils/fuels I'm wondering if I can use something besides diesel fuel and an algaecide.

I know at filter changes people will fill their secondary fuel filter up with ATF and run the engine on it until it's gone. Same for operating it on diesel purge for 20+ minutes but not under load.

I'm open to all parameters like a mix that is good for years but if I ever use it I can't go over 2500 rpm, etc.

Maxbumpo · #2 10-05-2018, 08:12 AM

I'd just make sure the can is bone dry or at least well flushed out with clean diesel, then fill the can with diesel and an appropriate dose of biocide. Once a year on some anniversary date, put that can of fuel into the tank and refill the can with fresh diesel and biocide. Rotating the fuel will eliminate your concern.

In a past job I had responsibility for an emergency diesel generator that had a huge fuel tank underground, I think it had around 1000 gallons of diesel. That fuel tank had diesel that was years and years old in it. Every week on a timer the diesel generator would start up and run for a set time, I think it was thirty minutes. We never had an issue. Every month my guys would test the bottom of the tank for water, and if the tank level was down enough we'd schedule a truck to fill it up.

OM617YOTA · #3 10-05-2018, 10:11 AM

Yep, I think you're looking for an issue where none exists. With rotation, diesel lasts plenty long on it's own.

In TX it may not make a difference, in my area I'd fill up on winter diesel. Winter diesel will burn fine in the summer but summer diesel may gel in the winter. Add biocide or fuel stabilizer or whatever you feel you need to. I have cans of diesel out in the shed that are 6-8 months old right now, no additives, would have zero qualms about dumping them in the truck and down the road I go.

1983 300CD · #4 10-05-2018, 10:32 AM

Again, looking for longer timelines. Intervals of years. No rotation. Diesel fuel would not likely work in the equation or it would play a very small part.

Diseasel300 · #5 10-05-2018, 11:07 AM

Any fuel you store needs to be rotated from time to time. Diesel will keep a very long time if free of moisture and treated with a biocide. My SDL sat for 10 years in a field with 1/4 tank of pump #2 and no treatment and that fuel was still fine.

Your best bet is to take that 7L can out and dump it in your tank once a year or so during a fillup, then refill the 7L tank with fresh fuel and a shot of biocide. If that's something you can't manage, perhaps make sure the odometer works and don't worry about storing fuel...

1983 300CD · #6 10-05-2018, 06:27 PM

Oh I can manage that every fill up, everything 10th fill up, every 100th. I don't want to. I'm looking for something for longer intervals not the basic regular intervals that are already known. How often do people check the air in their spare tire? Some do it once a week. Some have never checked it and just keep canned air and pump in the trunk. Odometer doesn't matter but making sure a fuel gauge/sender doesn't fail might be even more involved. Looking at discussions now of various ratios of ATF : Diesel. Who knows but thought I'd ask.

Diseasel300 · #7 10-05-2018, 08:15 PM

ATF gives a horrifyingly bad smell when burned in an engine, especially the synthetic stuff. For everyone following you, don't do it. Do you worry about the fuel gauge failing in any other car you drive? If not, you shouldn't be worrying about the one in your CD either. Your odometer is your backup fuel gauge, if you have some vague idea how many miles you get on a tank of fuel before filling up, you have a good idea when you're about to run out.

1983 300CD · #8 10-05-2018, 09:11 PM

Yes, if you're out of gas on the side of the road don't accept a mix of atf/diesel because the people behind you won't like the smell or they won't know what is going on but they will feel horrified. "Need some help?" 'Out of gas. The odometer messed up.' "Is that a diesel?" 'Yep.' "I have a can of diesel/atf mix that will get you a few miles to the next station." 'No that's ok it will smell.'

Rogviler · #9 10-05-2018, 09:18 PM

I personally keep vegetable oil as my emergency fuel. You'll definitely get years out of it (unopened). Not sure if that gets shortened significantly by transferring it into your fuel can, but honestly the worst I've ever seen vegetable oil get is just a funky smell. Still burns though.

-Rog

1983 300CD · #10 10-05-2018, 09:34 PM

Now that's interesting. Will do some looking. Plant based oils eventually turn rancid and exposure to air/heat/light accelerates it but as long as it will burn...

OM617YOTA · #11 10-05-2018, 10:23 PM

I have kerosene that's a decade + old. Still burns fine in my lamps, lanterns, and stoves. Kero + a shot of lubricity additive(two stroke oil would do fine) would last years no problem and get you down the road just fine, even if your engine didn't prefer it. Couple gallons of ATF would be fine too. My truck stinks as is, no one would ever know the difference in my personal application.

Diesel alone would probably be just fine for multiple years as well.

I'd still check on it occasionally. I had Jet A go bad in a sealed can, and the can itself is not immune to wear and degradation, if only from wear from the vibration of being in a vehicle.

sun tortise · #12 10-06-2018, 01:59 AM

I've been running waste veggie oil mixed with 2 -5 % gasoline, and oddly enough, it seems the the WVO keeps the gasoline from going bad and vice versa! I store the WVO in 55 gallon drums to which a gallon or 2 of gasoline has been added, and it smells the same and burns just fine after 2 or more years of storage. I routinely prepare this mix well ahead, and am usually using fuel that i processed over a year earlier, from WVO that was collected 6 to 12 months before that. Stored in an unheated garage, so i guess it is refrigerated about half that time. I also have this mixture in a hot Florida garage where it keeps for at least 8 months.

JHZR2 · #13 10-06-2018, 06:18 AM

I parked my cd in my garage six years ago and the fuel was still good and car ran great when I just started it back up.

Diesel lasts, Id add some biocide and/or stabil two stroke and/or the-3 two stroke oil all for peace of mind, and then use it up maybe every 5 years.

vonsmog · #14 10-06-2018, 08:18 AM

I picked up a 300TD that was parked for 24 years. After cutting the belts off, as they were rusted to the pulleys. I turned over the motor by hand and then put a battery in it. Cranked the motor over without waiting for the glowplug light to go out. Just wanted to get the oil flowing. after about 20 seconds the motor fired up and was running very well on 24 year old diesel fuel!

moon161 · #15 10-06-2018, 10:32 AM

It's little known, but Rudolf diesel was fished from the river dead, restarted after 2 glows and a fresh battery and murdered again.