Full tank of diesel over winter

[Brianandjoy]

We always take our California off the road from November to April,with the expected budget hike next week is it safe to store it with a full tank of diesel or will it go off or sludgy as I’ve read on the internet

 

[colintfcolintf]

what's the expected hike per litre?

 

[Brianandjoy]

what's the expected hike per litre?

7p per litre

 

[kurienp]

7p per litre

Ok, let me get this right. 7p is .07 and a VW tank will take 80L max. So you've started a thread to ask if it is wise to save £5.60 over 6 months i.e. 93p a month? ... or is there more to it ... or have I got my math wrong or is this something I don't understand.

Edit: sorry, the question was is it safe to store it with a full tank of Diesel - I would say no.

 

[secret lemonade drinker]

But recently it's dropped more than that so who cares

 

[nickb77]

I've always understood that it's best to leave with a full tank as it minimises the air/moisture which could condense and settle as water in the fuel tank. That's what I do anyway.

 

[dspuk]

7p per litre

I'd say for the sake of max 56 quid, it's not worth the worry.

I'd also say for 6 months it would be fine in the tank.

 

[colintfcolintf]

I would keep using the Cali if it were me.
Less chance of brakes etc seizing up, especially if outside and not moving

 

[Velma's Dad]

Surely the only alternative to leaving it with a full tank of diesel is to leave it with less in the tank - but still some? (Unless you're planning to drain the tank which I presume not?)

You can buy various additives that are supposed to lengthen fuel life but my view on additives generally is that they're snake oil. Just my opinion and a jaded opinion of the marketing world maybe.

Personally I'd not worry much at all, either full or part full. The Cali has a plastic tank so no issues with corrosion.

 

[Hawthorn37]

After a trip away in the van we always fill it up ready for its next outing, no matter the season. I’ve never even considered the condition of the fuel deteriorating, and I don’t expect minus 12c or more in the East Midlands for any length of time!

 

[secret lemonade drinker]

We have standby diesel generators at work that stand for (literally) years with a tank of diesel in them, they are started once a year to prove they still work. Don't worry about it and carry on camping!

 

[pluc99]

My understanding is that the more air space in the tank, the more bacteria and moisture will get into your diesel. Since water doesn't mix with oil it will accumulate at the bottom of your tank as a mayonnaise like sludge, which can get sucked into the fuel intake. Part of the additive's purpose is to pick up any water before it turns to sludge thus allowing it to be burned off "cleanly". My advice is full tank plus additive.

 

[MirSans]

We always take our California off the road from November to April,with the expected budget hike next week is it safe to store it with a full tank of diesel or will it go off or sludgy as I’ve read on the internet

The fuel does not become sludgy, it changes in its chemical composition. After three months, it no longer meets the requirements for a good fuel.

 

[Quiddle]

The fuel does not become sludgy, it changes in its chemical composition. After three months, it no longer meets the requirements for a good fuel.

I bought a boat whose previous owner had died and which had stood in a yard for three years with half a tank of diesel. With a new battery the engine started straight away and ran flawlessly.
Diesel bug is a bacteria which grows at the interface of fuel and water in a tank and causes the black sludge. It can be treated with stuff like this:

Marine 16 Ltd | diesel bug additive

Get the best Marine 16 fuel additives and diesel treatment systems to improve fuel quality and prevent diesel bug. Our patented diesel separators remove water & sludge from your fuel tank floor, without using filters. FREE UK DELIVERY.

www.marine16.co.uk

With no water in the tank diesel will be fine.

 

[pchmlk]

The fuel does not become sludgy, it changes in its chemical composition. After three months, it no longer meets the requirements for a good fuel.

Petrol has that downside. Diesel, much much less so.

 

[Jeremy Thompson]

We always take our California off the road from November to April,with the expected budget hike next week is it safe to store it with a full tank of diesel or will it go off or sludgy as I’ve read on the internet

It won’t go off and the only reason it may go sludgy in my experience is that if you have constant temperatures below around -15 for some time.

 

[Jay586]

And I thought my OH was careful.

 

[Tippyphil]

We always take our California off the road from November to April,with the expected budget hike next week is it safe to store it with a full tank of diesel or will it go off or sludgy as I’ve read on the internet

You can buy additives to keep your diesel fresh but hardly necessary for that relatively short period of time.

 

[Trebor]

I've always understood that it's best to leave with a full tank as it minimises the air/moisture which could condense and settle as water in the fuel tank. That's what I do anyway.

Not the case now with Diesel biofuel . Very short shelf life (3 months ) Shell V power best diesel now as made from Shell GTL ( liquified natural gas ) but still has Fame added .

 

[Norfolk Jim]

Just take it for short run - that'll jiggle it around and mix it up. Never had an issue on our old camper (apart from flat battery) which sat not being used from Oct till April!!

 

[Michael hensey]

Ok, let me get this right. 7p is .07 and a VW tank will take 80L max. So you've started a thread to ask if it is wise to save £5.60 over 6 months i.e. 93p a month? ... or is there more to it ... or have I got my math wrong or is this something I don't understand.

Edit: sorry, the question was is it safe to store it with a full tank of Diesel - I would say no.

No your maths is fine, you just didn't read the question

 

[Velma's Dad]

No your maths is fine, you just didn't read the question

So okay, if the question is "is it safe to over-winter a full tank of diesel?", can you maybe enlighten us?

 

[MirSans]

I bought a boat whose previous owner had died and which had stood in a yard for three years with half a tank of diesel. With a new battery the engine started straight away and ran flawlessly.
Diesel bug is a bacteria which grows at the interface of fuel and water in a tank and causes the black sludge. It can be treated with stuff like this:

Marine 16 Ltd | diesel bug additive

Get the best Marine 16 fuel additives and diesel treatment systems to improve fuel quality and prevent diesel bug. Our patented diesel separators remove water & sludge from your fuel tank floor, without using filters. FREE UK DELIVERY.

www.marine16.co.uk

With no water in the tank diesel will be fine.

See this article: Dieseltest ️- Den Camper besser voll- oder leer getankt überwintern?!

"Keine der Proben hat die Anforderungen an die Viskosität erfüllt, welche essenziell für die Schmierung im Motor ist." = “None of the samples met the viscosity requirements (after three months), which is essential for lubrication in the engine.”