Fuel Stabilizer

BlueScarecrow · March 29, 2018, 08:44:10 AM

I used to drive my bus around like a car when I first bought it. Now that I'm parked in an RV Park, it sits for months at a time and I'm worried about the fuel going bad. I know diesel isn't as bad as gas, but I've heard stories about algae growing in the tank. Anyone have any ideas about the best products to buy to keep the fuel clean and me worry free? Thanks!

buswarrior · March 29, 2018, 09:02:31 AM

purchase fuel ONLY from reputable fuel suppliers...

Don't park for the season with tanks full, so you can add fresh after pull-out.

Some biocide as a defence against the growth, easier to prevent than to deal with an infestation.

The "condensation in an empty tank" is fueled by the propaganda cover-up for water in the fuel stn tanks years ago.
This marine guy did an experiment with an empty fuel tank...
http://www.pbase.com/mainecruising/fuel_tankt_condensation

happy coaching!
buswarrior

GnarlyBus · March 29, 2018, 09:48:43 AM

I use Howe's Diesel Treat conditioner as recommended by a few people when I bought the bus. It's also supposed to keep the fuel from gelling in extreme cold.

dtcerrato · March 29, 2018, 10:05:18 AM

I also use Howe's fuel treatment for many years now - never a problem. Before that I used a quart of ATF per tankful (100+ gals) without problem. Our rig just set for a 6 month spell in Beaumont TX camp grounds with a topped off tank and addition of proper amount of Howe's additive. Upon initial 6 month duration start - it fired before a full revolution, yea I know lots of drivers like to turn it over a spell to get the oil going & that's exactly what I did with an immediate running engine... less than 2000 miles on an in frame rebuild - it runs awesome, a turtle NA IL671 but runs awesome.

Scott & Heather · April 01, 2018, 08:03:06 PM

I've had my bus sit a year with a full tank with no treatment at all with zero issues. also had it sit a year with only a quarter tank with zero issues. Worst case, you just run it and if it has issues replace the fuel filters for $16 for the pair. We all seem to over worry sometimes on here.

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luvrbus · April 02, 2018, 10:21:52 AM

Here on the Texas coast the generators for the cell towers are kept full to top and units still produce water and rust I bet I have drain 50 gals of water from 40 units and replaced 80 friggin fuel fliters

PP · April 03, 2018, 10:34:09 AM

I've never added anything to my fuel tank except a bunch of kerosene that I got for free one time. It actually seemed to run better on it which defies what everyone was telling me. Never had any problems and sometimes we sit in the damp and chilly for many months on end. (Knok on wood) If there is a performance issue, I swap out the filters. Like Scott said, they're cheap and I always have a supply on hand.
Will

bobofthenorth · April 03, 2018, 02:32:31 PM

Farmers and contractors routinely leave equipment sit for at least 6 months with whatever fuel was in it when they parked it. They think nothing of it and the next year the equipment starts. If it didn't they'd do it differently. The whole diesel fuel conditioner thing is caused by people with too much time and too much money.

eagle19952 · April 03, 2018, 02:47:57 PM

Quote from: bobofthenorth on April 03, 2018, 02:32:31 PM
Farmers and contractors routinely leave equipment sit for at least 6 months with whatever fuel was in it when they parked it. They think nothing of it and the next year the equipment starts. If it didn't they'd do it differently. The whole diesel fuel conditioner thing is caused by people with too much time and too much money.

Construction contractors have gone longer.
i had a contract salvagingscrapping used construction eq. the haulers would arm wrestle for the ones with the most fuel. some was years old.

luvrbus · April 03, 2018, 04:21:07 PM

A guy in OK bought a Eagle I owned 2 years ago it set for 17 years 3/4 full of fuel ,new batteries fired it up no problem not even a stuck injector he drove it back to OK lol even on the tires that were on it when parked lol he did call and say the filters were starting to plug at the end of 1200 mile trip

buswarrior · April 03, 2018, 04:28:24 PM

In a world with biodiesel...

Those old stories are going to get newbies into trouble...

Happy coaching!
Buswarrior

bobofthenorth · April 03, 2018, 04:52:00 PM

Quote from: eagle19952 on April 03, 2018, 02:47:57 PM
Construction contractors have gone longer.
i had a contract salvagingscrapping used construction eq. the haulers would arm wrestle for the ones with the most fuel. some was years old.

Its worse in the recreational marine world. Those guys seriously have too much money and there's a genuine marine shyster mechanic hiding around every corner waiting to relieve some rich fool of some of his money.

luvrbus · April 03, 2018, 04:54:08 PM

I am on the Texas Coast working on standby generators for a cell carrier,I polished the fuel every 2 years in the past and some have 1000 gal tanks.
Exxon and their chemists now tell me that 5% bio or low sulfur diesel should be good for 15 years so just extend the polishing to 5 years time periods.

chessie4905 · April 03, 2018, 06:44:00 PM

"Polished"- lol. I've heard that for a number of years about a fuel filter system. Marketing....

luvrbus · April 03, 2018, 07:04:52 PM

It's is a nice mobile system it does clean the fuel not like a home made rig and they take samples as they go and change filter often. It really isn't much marketing the outfit charges me $.19 a gal for the process. He has done 18,000 gals and the test are showing no rust or suspended water according to guys in white suits from EXXON it is a lot better than than previous cleaning out fit I was using lol he charges more too