The fuel in my night heater tank is about 3 years old. Do you think its OK to run the heater? The van has been away for 18 months. And I have not run the heater for a couple of years.
Diesel how old is too old?
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Diesel how old is too old?
2.1 LPG/Petrol Auto Caravelle
"The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits"
"The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits"
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clift_d
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Re: Diesel how old is too old?
My understanding is that diesel actually has a relatively short shelf life - typically quoted as 6 - 12 months under normal conditions. The big issues are water contamination, which can also lead to diesel bug in the fuel, and degradation of the biodiesel fractions.
Given that it's such a small quantity it might just be best to replace it with fresh.
Given that it's such a small quantity it might just be best to replace it with fresh.
Last edited by clift_d on 18 Aug 2025, 11:04, edited 1 time in total.
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Oldiebut goodie
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Re: Diesel how old is too old?
No problem! Nothing to worry about - it isn't a highly tuned racing machine
Any diesel bug should be caught by the filter - highly unlikely to get it in a small tank anyway. I have used 10 year old diesel in heaters!
Any diesel bug should be caught by the filter - highly unlikely to get it in a small tank anyway. I have used 10 year old diesel in heaters!
1.6D 2019 VW T-Cross
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200hp VW T6
1̶Y̶ ̶1̶9̶8̶7̶ ̶H̶i̶-̶t̶o̶p̶ ̶C̶a̶r̶a̶v̶e̶l̶l̶e̶
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Re: Diesel how old is too old?
Thanks Rick. That's settled it for me.
2.1 LPG/Petrol Auto Caravelle
"The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits"
"The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits"
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TwinTurbo
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Re: Diesel how old is too old?
Military trucks can sit for years waiting to be good to go.
Our work backup generator has probably used 3 out of 200L of deisel in 12 years and it fires up 1st time each month for gen test.
Our work backup generator has probably used 3 out of 200L of deisel in 12 years and it fires up 1st time each month for gen test.
TwinTurbo
1985 1.9 DG Caravelle Autohomes Karisma
1985 1.9 DG Caravelle Autohomes Karisma
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davidoft1
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Re: Diesel how old is too old?
Oldest I’ve used was from the 70s on a backup generator, was fine