Stabilize diesel fuel?

Eric Hennen · 11-06-2007, 01:44 PM

I will be storing my diesel (CAT 350) until February. Do you normally add stabilizer to the fuel tank?

Eric Hennen · 11-06-2007, 01:44 PM

I will be storing my diesel (CAT 350) until February. Do you normally add stabilizer to the fuel tank?

CHIPPYSGT · 11-06-2007, 01:55 PM

I do. I use Stabil. Putting mine in storage tomorrow and when I fill up on the way there I'll put in the Stabil.

I usually let the generator run for 20-30 minutes on the way down to get the Stabil into its filter and fuel line.

John_Canfield · 11-06-2007, 02:42 PM

I always used Biobor JF on the boat - we would be in the slip for months at a time between trips. We had an algae problem in the boat diesel tank once and that was a nasty problem.

We use the coach frequently enough to where I don't use any additive in the fuel tank.

smlranger · 11-06-2007, 04:19 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by CHIPPYSGT:
I do. I use Stabil. Putting mine in storage tomorrow and when I fill up on the way there I'll put in the Stabil.

I usually let the generator run for 20-30 minutes on the way down to get the Stabil into its filter and fuel line. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I may certainly be incorrect, but Stabil is for gasoline engines only. Do they make an additive under the Stabil label for diesels?

Pusherman · 11-06-2007, 04:48 PM

My understanding is that Stabil is for gasoline engines only.

I store my coach from Nov thru March. I use a winter anti-gel stabilizer. With the onset of ULSD I belive the jury is still out which stabilizer for diesel fuel is best. I'm still waiting for the reviews.

Last winter here in Rochester, NY, the school districts had terrible problems with the diesel fuel jelling and clogging the fuel filters running ULSD. Not sure what they did to fix the problem, but schools were actually shut down for days until they fixed the problem.

CHIPPYSGT · 11-07-2007, 02:56 PM

Smith Mountain Lake Ranger,

You've got me wondering now. I'm sure it said diesel on it, but I threw the bottle away today when I put it in. I've used it for three winter storages now and never had a problem with getting the hog started.

I'll try to remember to check the next time I'm at Wal-Mart. That's where I've always bought it.

smlranger · 11-07-2007, 03:15 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by CHIPPYSGT:
Smith Mountain Lake Ranger,

You've got me wondering now. I'm sure it said diesel on it, but I threw the bottle away today when I put it in. I've used it for three winter storages now and never had a problem with getting the hog started.

I'll try to remember to check the next time I'm at Wal-Mart. That's where I've always bought it. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I use StaBil in my boat, lawn mower and golf car. When I got this DP, I checked the StaBil website and they only reference its use in gasoline engines. I use Power Service in the DP which you can also get at Walmart.

John_Canfield · 11-07-2007, 03:25 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Pusherman:
--snip--
Last winter here in Rochester, NY, the school districts had terrible problems with the diesel fuel jelling and clogging the fuel filters running ULSD. Not sure what they did to fix the problem, but schools were actually shut down for days until they fixed the problem. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>Don - I thought all of the fuel in the North switched to #1 for the winter. We were at a gas station last fall somewhere in South Dakota (or was it Montana..) and the pump had about three choices of diesel depending on the low temperature you were anticipating.

Pusherman · 11-07-2007, 03:42 PM

Based on some reading, there may be 2 different types of Stabil. I use Stabil for my gas engines. I just checked the bottle and this one is for gasoline or gasoline/ethanol blends only. There could be a separate one for diesel, but I've never seen Stabil for diesel.

John -- I do know that several of the school districts in Rochester have converted their busses to the DPF systems to reduce emissions (state grant), so they are using ULSD. The fuel filters gelled up during our late January cold snap, causing the busses to not run. After some research, the districts did something to the fuel to prevent the gelling, but I don't know what they did.

DonavonP · 11-07-2007, 05:49 PM

As I understand it;

Gasoline stabilizers are usually BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene)a food preservative (yummy). And we're worried about a little lead.

Diesel treatments are a pesticide mixed with kerosene and not usually needed unless diesel is stored for many months.

The winter diesel filter clogging we had here in Minnesota was caused by the biodiesel glycerins (not properly refined biodiesel) coagulating.

We use to mix 50% # 1 diesel with 50% # 2 diesel for our coldest months here in mid Minnesota. Now we have "winterized diesel" down to a posted temperature. We're currently winterized for -10F and on Dec 2 we'll drop to a -30F mix.

We still have people who top off there diesels with # 2 and put the car away for the winter, fly to Florida, but come back for Christmas and you'll see them on the side of the road with a jelled fuel filter singing a convoluted version of "Silent Night".

ichn2go · 11-08-2007, 03:51 AM

Howe's Diesel Treat is what I used when I had the Horizon.
Check here:http://www.howeslube.com/site/

How much good does it do? Its like STP etc. I don't think it hurts but I am not sure of the results.
Howe's does have a good reputation..Good Miles

CHIPPYSGT · 11-08-2007, 10:10 AM

I just went to Wal-Mart and looked at the Stabil. Gasoline only. I guess I've been lucky with no problems so far. The winters arent' terrible here and I'm choosy about where I get fuel, so here's hoping it will make it through this winter with a gasoline additive.

FleetMan · 11-08-2007, 12:45 PM

I checked an old bottle of Stabil I had on the shelf. It listed diesel along with the other fuels on the label. The new, unopened bottle I have does not and the formulations on the label are different.

CHIPPYSGT · 11-09-2007, 04:27 AM

Thanks FleetMan.

I was sure I had put some Stabil in that said it was for use in a diesel engine. Now I can cancel my appointment with the shrink!

GG1 · 11-10-2007, 05:31 AM

I spoke to a company rep from Sta-bil, www.goldeagle.com I was told to use it in gas or diesel 1 qt for 80 gallons.

CHIPPYSGT · 11-10-2007, 07:24 AM

I think I'm not going to worry about it. Next time I'll buy something that says diesel on the bottle.

vicsryd · 11-13-2007, 07:12 PM

I have been useing Power Service products as an additive since ULSD came into being. It has stablizer and increases cetane and lubricity to compensate for lack of same from ULSD. I find the engine starts much easier when cold and so far I have had no problems.

Power Service has two products I use depending on the season. For winter driving I use their "Diesel Fuel Supplement + Cetane Boost w/ SlikDiesel" (product info). For summer I use "Diesel Kleen + Cetane Boost w/ SlikDiesel" (product info).

Both are available at Wal-Mart. The 3 quart bottle is about $15. You add a quart per 100 gallons of fuel.

Another well like product is "Stanadyne Peformance Formula". Some of my RV DP friends use it for driving and storage. I think its a little pricey but it does have some nice features for treating #2 diesel for extended storage and have used it a couple of times.