I have bought a beater car to comute to work to save fuel money and wear and tear on the diesel. Should I leave the fuel tank full or empty? I live in a cold climate, -40 c, and park in a heated garage. Now up here gas or diesel most people don't go less than 1/4 tank but that is for condesation and to my knowlage it is the water that helps form the bacteria. Any suggestions?

 

I hear it is better to keep it full because of the oxygen in the air space of the fuel tank reacting with the fuel.

 

If you leave it full it can't breath so much, with temperature changes, and accumulate moisture that leads to algae growth. Some conditioner would be a good idea as a preventative.

John

 

Leave it full and in a place where the temp is as stable as possible. This is to prevent condensation (water) in the tank. Algeae grows in the water of diesel tanks. No water = No algeae.

 

I would also recomend treating the fuel with Raycor Biocide or another biocide if you are really worried about the bacteria. I had a bacteria once when I got some bad fuel and it shut me down within twenty miles, one shot of Raycor and a new fuel filter and it ran like a champ. As for preventing it I always try to store anything with a full tank or close to full to prevent excess air in the tank.

 

I've never heard of even one case of diesel algae (bacteria) here in cold Montana. Bet bet is it's even less common in Alberta. The bacteria just can't survive sub-zero temps. Mostly hear about algae problems in warmer, humid coastal areas.

 

You will generate more condensation by moving a warm vehicle outside or the opposite than leaving it stored outside all year. Unless you don't drive it all the problem with diesel algae in Alberta is a non-issue. Chances are if you try driving it with summer fuel in cold weather it will cause bigger headaches, vehicles stored with almost or full fuel tanks have less issues upon restart. How often do you plan to drive the diesel? PK

 

I've got a Cat crawler I use at least 3 or 4 hours per year! I leave fuel in it, never full. It always starts, runs fine, and glad to rest some more. Never had a problem with growth in fuel. I've got a couple of tractors that get operated more frequently, but I am never concerned with algae--I guess 'cause it doesn't live here.

I've started old machines that the diesel smells like varnish. Been in the tank for YEARS, they start and run on that old fuel. But then maybe my treasures are too old to be impacted by modern diseases!!

 

i have a 1986 Case 580c backhoe with a 4 cylinder cummins

2 years with the new ULSD, and i had algae forming big time in the tank.

How i found out? I finally picked up the fuel filters for it ( I probably run the machine 30 hours a year, so i almost never change the fuel filters yearly).

So i go to replace my fuel filters, low and behold i take the primary off, and theres a huge chunk of algae hanging off it. was very different, i had never ever seen that before on any of the equipment i have and ive owned the backhoe since 1990.

oddly enough, the backhoe still had plenty of power, couldnt tell the difference once i changed filters.

I was fully expecting the backhoe to run circles around itself after changing em. I dont think the older engines are effected as much as the new ones. Just built tougher..

 

http://www.startron.com/
works for marine stuff, I use it in my truck and it has lived up to it`s claims of smoke reduction and it has quieted the engine a noticable amount, YMMV.

 

Thats good info guy's, thanks. I myself have seen lots of gelled fuel, coolant in fuel from failed injector cups, black fuel from series 60's, gloves, cap plugs, rags, the little foil caps on conditioner bottles, even icing sugar once, but never bacteria/algae. So I will do what you all suggest and keep it full. Up here it usually dry air and if it stays in the garage I guess it will be OK, and I do use conditioner as well.