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

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1987 Mercedes 300SDL; SOLD
1985 Mercedes 300D; SOLD
2006 Honda Pilot - wife's ride; 122K;
1995 Toyota Land Cruiser - 3X locked; 182K

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.

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1987 300D (230,000 mi on a #14 head-watching the temp gauge and keeping the ghost in the machine)
Raleigh NC - Home of deep fried sushi!

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.

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1983 240D 3.0T 4-speed manual, now sold

1989 Subaru GL Wagon 5-speed Touring Edition

I would use it to kill grass and weeds.

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1999 w140, quit voting to old, and to old to fight, a god damned veteran

Burns brush piles as well !

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Experience : what you receive 3 seconds after you really needed it !!



86 300SDL 387,000? Motor committed suicide
81 300SD 214,000 "new" 132,000 motor
83 300SD 212,000 parts car
83 300SD 147,000

91 F700 5.9 cummins 5spd eaton 298,000
66 AMC rambler American 2dr auto 108,000
95 Chevy 3/4 ton auto 160,000
03 Toyota 4runner 180,000 wifes

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.

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Grumpy Old Diesel Owners Club group

I no longer question authority, I annoy authority. More effect, less effort....

1967 230-6 auto parts car. rust bucket.
1980 300D now parts car 800k miles
1984 300D 500k miles
1987 250td 160k miles English import
2001 jeep turbo diesel 130k miles
1998 jeep tdi ~ followed me home. Needs a turbo.
1968 Ford F750 truck. 6-354 diesel conversion.
Other toys ~J.D.,Cat & GM ~ mainly earth moving