How do you clean metal jerry cans for diesel?

[Laziji]

Hi to all..............

Just a couple pf quick questions:

I bought two new metal jerry cans for diesel. How can I clean them out?

Also how long can I keep diesel before it becomes unusable?

Cheers all on this wicked website

[tigs]

new ones should not need cleaning , but if you want you can use a small amount of petrol in them and shake well, pour off as much of the petrol as you can and leave the jerry open for 24 hours to allow what is left to evaporate .

BP says: http://www.bp.com/liveassets/bp.../loca ... e_ADF.pdf‎ "Under normal storage conditions diesel fuel can be expected to stay in a useable condition
for:

• 12 months or longer at an ambient of 20ºC.
• 6-12 months at an ambient temperature higher than 30ºC.

As diesel gets older a fine sediment and gum forms in the diesel brought about by the
reaction of diesel components with oxygen from the air. The fine sediment and gum will
block fuel filters, leading to fuel starvation and the engine stopping. Frequent filter changes
are then required to keep the engine going. The gums and sediments do not burn in the
engine very well and can lead to carbon and soot deposits on injectors and other combustion
surfaces."

Cenex says: "If storage exceeds one year, testing is recommended."

Diesel fuels are blended for different seasons and regions. "Summer" diesel may cloud or gel at cold temperatures.

From BP: "Always purchase fuel to replenish stocks in the winter season. This will
ensure that the fuel will not cause wax problems whatever season it is used."

According to Exxon: "Non-winterized diesel fuel will not generally cause problems as long as temperatures are at or above 10°F."


So the basic strategy boils down to:

Buying "fresh" fuel (the quotation marks are because it's probably already several weeks old by the time it works it's way from the refinery to us consumers).

Topping off storage containers, leaving just enough headspace for expansion and contraction, but not much for condensation.

Keeping it clean, dry and cool. Heat speeds deterioration, temperature swings will cause condensation.

Adding a stabilizer to slow oxidation if storage in warm temperatures or beyond a year is anticipated.

Adding a biocide to prevent algae growth (or better yet, keep it in a sealed, full container and in a stable temperature to prevent water condensation in the first place).

Rotating stocks every winter.

When in doubt filter

[Rearfang]

Don't know if any truth to this a diesel mechanic told me that diesel sweats in metal cans and stores far better in plastic containers

[Laziji]

wowowow

Top info there as ever on this excellent no nonsense website

Thanks for that