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Topic: diesel stabilizer (Read 1409 times) previous topic - next topic

diesel stabilizer

I did a search but didn't find my answer. I've been burning diesel in semi trucks since 1970 and of course used different fuel additives over the years trying to help avoiding gelling, clean injectors and so forth, I have no proof of any of it ever working. However we burned our fuel about as fast as we bought it so fuel getting "old" has never been an issue. Not the case the last few years with the motor home. I want to add a good "stabilizer" today before filling up the tank. Work prevents me from burning much fuel in the coach and some of this fuel will still be in the coach next winter. Wouldn't fill it up but maintaining inside tank condition is my goal. Would appreciate suggestions.
Dub McBride 1996 270

Re: diesel stabilizer

Reply #1 –
Diesel fuel doesn't breakdown rapidly like modern gasoline formulations.  I wouldn't worry about stability, but I would worry about "bugs" from growing if the fuel can get warm in summer months.  I'd add a biocide to be safe.  It's important to add it as you are filling the tank so it is completely mixed.
Regards,
Brett

'99 42' Foretravel Xtreme
'14 Brown Motorsports Stacker
'05 Chevy SSR
'02 BMW R1150R

Re: diesel stabilizer

Reply #2 –
Quote from: amos.harrison –
I'd add a biocide to be safe.  It's important to add it as you are filling the tank so it is completely mixed. 

The diesel tank on our coach can be filled from either side.  I can add the biocide or any other fuel additive from one side while I am filling the tank from the other side.  Will this be sufficient to mix the additive(s) properly in the fuel?  Or should the additive be added using the same fuel filler tube that is being used to add the fuel?

Thank you.
Morris and Janice
1997 U270 36'

Re: diesel stabilizer

Reply #3 –
Quote from: ncaabbfan –
Quote from: amos.harrison –
I'd add a biocide to be safe.  It's important to add it as you are filling the tank so it is completely mixed. 

The diesel tank on our coach can be filled from either side.  I can add the biocide or any other fuel additive from one side while I am filling the tank from the other side.  Will this be sufficient to mix the additive(s) properly in the fuel?  Or should the additive be added using the same fuel filler tube that is being used to add the fuel?

Thank you.
Pour the Biocide in either filler tube and then fill the tank with diesel and it will mix.
The selected media item is not currently available.Barry BEAM #16014
2003 U320 40' AGDS
Beamalarm, Foretravel technical help and specifications
"Whatever the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve"

Re: diesel stabilizer

Reply #4 –
And it will continue to mix on the drive home or to your next destination.  On the other hand, if one were to add an additive at home and not drive the coach, the additive would not mix very much at all.
George Stoltz.  Retired from full-time living in a great Foretravel and now are back to living in a traditional sticks and bricks in Florida.

Re: diesel stabilizer

Reply #5 –
Dub,
I hauled/transported petroleum products for over 20 years and retired out of the field.  We never used any additives (western NYS area) other than winter blended with K-1 kerosene, but some of the product we hauled required additive be added before departing the refinery.  Both Union 76 and Citgo come to mind.  I think those additives were mainly dye because they did not clean up off the tank except with acid bath.  Also some of the customers had their own additive which they added before I could drop product into their tanks.  Straight Welding used a bulk additive that they claimed was excellent, but never found out what it was.  Smelled like medicine.  I have always used Power Service until recently.  Never know anyone who used Howes except around the RV forums.  Seen it in truckstops but that is about it.  How about Lucus, I don't like it because of their stupid oil gear trick. That had been debunked so many times and they keep using it?

In this area, Power Services has fallen out the the locals, with many claiming it isn't any where as good as it once was.  Many of the local township highway departments are using a local product called  K100D which is made in Youngstown, NY by Kinetic Laboratories.  The highway supertendents claim the they are getting more power while plowing snow and that they are not getting the black soot out the exhaust like they use to.  Also claim they they are not getting the gel and freezing fuel lines.  I found out about the stuff when my sons over the road rig froze up and would not start.  He tried all the regular stuff like Power Services and nothing worked.  The guy at the parts store sold him some K100d and he used it and that got the rig going and after a bit running better than ever.  I have used it in my VW diesel and in the motorhome with no problems and no gelling or freezing.  http://www.k100fueltreatment.com/main.html.  Been  using it successfully for three years now.
1994 U225
build #4514

Re: diesel stabilizer

Reply #6 –
We've used PRI-D diesel additive for winter storage (usually 4-5 months of non-use) for the 6 1/2 years we've owned our coach.  We always make sure to treat, then run all the diesel burning equipment (engine, genset, AquaHot) to circulate the additive throughout.

The past 2 summers we've used Star Tron diesel additive while camped in one location in Maine for months.  It was recommended by the local Napa that carried a lot of marine-related products. 

Michelle
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: diesel stabilizer

Reply #7 –
I've never kept fuel long enough to grow "algea" and really never heard of such until studying motor home's and prolonged storage. I bought a bottle of power service and it claims on the container to "stabilize" fuel stored for long periods. Going now to the truck stop to top fill the tank. Thanks for the reply's. Crap maby next summer I will take off more and turn some of this fuel into black smoke.
Dub McBride 1996 270

Re: diesel stabilizer

Reply #8 –
Quote from: dub –
I've never kept fuel long enough to grow "algea" and really never heard of such until studying motor home's and prolonged storage. I bought a bottle of power service and it claims on the container to "stabilize" fuel stored for long periods. Going now to the truck stop to top fill the tank.
Power service is not a biocide and will not kill algea.  The only way algea will grow in you tank is if there is water in it.  Water comes from the refinery, the station tanks, or condensation in the tank.  Usually algea is a problem only in coastal areas, but can be a problem anywhere if the conditions are right.  The only way you can get rid of it is with a biocide or a additive which has a biocide.  Extreme algea problems call for removing the fuel and cleaning the tank.  The fuel can be "polished" or super filitered.  If you like in a coastal area, the biocide would be a good investment.
1994 U225
build #4514

Re: diesel stabilizer

Reply #9 –
Just got back and topped tank off. Already added the power service. I dont live on the coast but I may still buy something with biocide in it and add it. Cant mix it now as it is full to the neck. Goes without saying I need zero moss in that tank.
Dub McBride 1996 270

Re: diesel stabilizer

Reply #10 –
Pat I will check parts stores this weekend for k100d, I may drive the mh a couple hundred miles taking the wife to Little Rock for dinner and pour in the biocide afterwards and top it off with fuel again. I appreciate the replys.
Dub McBride 1996 270

Re: diesel stabilizer

Reply #11 –
PR1D and star tron, wrote all these down and will see what I can find on the shelves. Again our trucks have never sat so we kept running new fuel through them continously. This is my first diesel to "store".
Dub McBride 1996 270

Re: diesel stabilizer

Reply #12 –
Dub,

When the diesel engine is running, fuel is constantly being picked up from deep in the tank, circulated through the injector system on the engine, and a portion is returned to the tank. That should give a significant amount of mixing. The mixing doesn't just take place by filling at the pump or sloshing about as you drive.
J D Stevens
1997 U295 CAI 36' Build #5085
2002 Subaru Outback
Motorcade 16869
Bellville, TX

Re: diesel stabilizer

Reply #13 –
FWIW, I have used Howes for a long time, no special reason, previous owner used it and I had also used it in previous coach.  Can't say that it does anything special but no adverse effects either.  My brother uses it in his long haul truck so I kind of follow along with his recs.

Re: diesel stabilizer

Reply #14 –
In 1976 I was going into Cincinnati Oh and it was cold that night. It was my first experience with those low of temps. It was 24 below zero and the wind was high making the wind chill 74 below. You tend to recall nights like that. I stopped at Burns Bros truck truck stop to get something to put in the fuel tanks. About all most places kept in those days was called HEET in a 8oz can. It was composed of mainly alcohol and dont recall what else. They had 6 cans left and I bout them all. I ran back to the truck, to cold to walk, and sat 3 cans on one tank and ran around to the other tank to pour in the other 3. I got maby 2 cans poured in and picked up another and it was froze in the can. I put the remaining frozen cans in the side compartment where it did as much good as if it had been in the tank. Back then you could buy number 1 diesel and I pulled up to the fuel island and topped off with that. No 1 I have never had freeze but never bought another can of Heet from that day until now.Modern day trucks dont freeze up as bad because most all have tank heaters. In the 60's and 70's not many I had did.I will stop rambling, it's been quiet a long and tiring ride, just thankful to have made it this far and haveing this warm office job now. Old bones dont take to elements like they once did.
Dub McBride 1996 270

Re: diesel stabilizer

Reply #15 –
Quote from: dub –
In 1976 I was going into Cincinnati Oh and it was cold that night. ....... About all most places kept in those days was called HEET in a 8oz can. It was composed of mainly alcohol and dont recall what else. They had 6 cans left and I bout them all. I ran back to the truck, to cold to walk, and sat 3 cans on one tank and ran around to the other tank to pour in the other 3. I got maby 2 cans poured in and picked up another and it was froze in the can. I put the remaining frozen cans in the side compartment where it did as much good as if it had been in the tank. Back then you could buy number 1 diesel and I pulled up to the fuel island and topped off with that. No 1 I have never had freeze but never bought another can of Heet from that day until now.
Fuel additives, including anti gel and anti freeze will get slushy.  But when added to diesel, they will prevent the diesel from freezing.  At least that is what the lab techs who work with the stuff have told me.  It is the way the stuff is designed to work.
1994 U225
build #4514
 

Using a biocide in the fuel tank

Reply #16 –
Because we are going to be stationery for a minimum of three months in humid central Florida I decided to add a biocide in the fuel tank even though the tank is almost full.  We also plan to move and drive the coach for about an hour once a month but will not be adding more fuel (no station we can get into around here).

I know it might be overkill on my part, but at about $1.00 per ounce of the product I felt it was worth the extra prevention.
George Stoltz.  Retired from full-time living in a great Foretravel and now are back to living in a traditional sticks and bricks in Florida.