Very old fuel in tank

[jearl]

I'm just about ready to fire up my BJ60 after the engine swap. Only problem left is that the fuel in the tank is probably 10 years old. Should I just add fresh diesel, drain it, or swap tanks?

 

[crushers]

at least drain the old fuel out...

 

[jearl]

Thanks! I was kinda hoping someone would say... diesel fuel can sit for 10 years and it'll be just fine Now to find something to put this fuel into!

 

[crushers]

makes great parts washer fluid...

 

[Eric Winkworth]

Diesel does go bad, mostly because as with any tank moisture and/or water contamination becomes a problem after time. I would drain the tank, and purge the system with the fresh diesel buy pumping the primer pump for a few minutes.

cheers
The best of luck with you new truck!

 

[bigbrowndog]

have you had a look at the color? After 10 years it should be dark brown at least from bacteria never mind what else.

 

[Tapage]

Just to know .. how much time it's safe keep diesel in tank ..

I ask coz my 80 has double tanks .. so I always keep the second one full, but only use the main one. Maybe once a month or so, I use the sencond one .. and try to alternate the first with the sencond, just to keep always fress diesel in the tanks ..

 

[jearl]

I ended up using an old fuel pump to pump the fuel out of the tank, from the engine compartment fuel line. Amazingly the fuel looked clean. It may have been slightly darker than the fresh stuff I purchased. After pumping as much of the old stuff that would come out, I dumped the new stuff in and pumped it through to the engine compartment. Used the priming pump, and she started right up.

I'm wondering if I still have some air in the system as some days it starts up really well with almost no smoke, other times it won't start the first time and I have to crank it over a second time... followed by slow idle, and a bunch of smoke until it idles a little bit.