Winter fuel

[Bluethunder]

At the end of this month I will lay up our motorhome for 2 months,I am trying to find out when the fuel companies start selling winter fuel,
At the moment I only have about 20 litres in the tank,I intend to fill the tank when it is laid up to the brim 90 litres (that should add to the coffers of the goverment.
Am I right in my plans,also I will drain down everything,any other advise would be appreciated, Many thanks.

 

[Spriddler]

I have never bothered with 'winter' fuel and never had any problems, although I don't lay mine up.

There's a winterising Checklist here:

Winterise Check List

Sorting through my PC, I found this. I may have even have got it off the Forum, but still worth posting again for all the "Newbies"! I know a lot of people will say "Use it throughout the Winter", but some people may have to park it up for a few months.

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

 

[Woodgates]

What is winter fuel?

 

[Clivefog]

Fuel companies introduce it around now, although no one advertise the fact and it only comes into it's own at around -20. As you only intend a 2 month lay up I would not worry about the fuel.

 

[suavecarve]

What is winter fuel?

Red Wine

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[vzac]

Coal ? Not very good in diesel engines.

 

[cyberyacht]

Received wisdom in my yachting days was to keep the tank full during the winter to reduce the incidence of condensation in the tank. Who needs water in their fuel?

 

[EML]

The Wikipedia page gives Nov 16th as the start date for winter fuel.

Having said that, I'm not sure that this is a good idea. The shelf life of B7 diesel (ie. what you get on the forecourt) is claimed (by some) to be as low as 8-12 weeks, and this will only get worse if it's stored in your tank, or condensation/bugs/etc can get in. You could come back in March and discover that you need to dump 90L of fuel before you can start the van. I personally would leave a few litres in and take it for a spin occasionally.

 

[Richard n Ann]

Ours stays layed up for 6 months, never gave the fuel a second thought
I need to start worrying more

 

[68c]

It is usual to fill aircraft tanks if stored to prevent condensation in the tanks mixing with the fuel and encouraging harmful bacterial growth. Although harmless in itself, micro-biological growth can form into large mats and block fuel pickup and filters, it also produces an acid as it reproduces causing corrosion.

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[Spriddler]

Having said that, I'm not sure that this is a good idea. The shelf life of B7 diesel (ie. what you get on the forecourt) is claimed (by some) to be as low as 8-12 weeks,

My experience from when I worked for Brighton Corporation is that our diesel gritter lorries would be parked up unused for at least 5 months and the snow plough vehicles unused for 8 months or far longer without any special precautions being taken.

 

[PP Bear]

Ours stays layed up for 6 months, never gave the fuel a second thought
I need to start worrying more

And now I’m worrying about you not worrying, oh the worry

 

[BouncyBoatFolk]

And now I’m worrying about you not worrying, oh the worry

A bit like somebody I used to work with[ now sadly passed away] who came in on a Monday morning moaning because nothing untoward had happened at the weekend so he nothing to moan about
Mike

 

[Bluethunder]

Red Wine

What a waste of good wine

 

[Garfields]

Best to overwinter with tank full to help prevent condensation forming.
Personally I fill up once the winter additive is included
We have the van out from time to time in winter and don't need the hassle of waxing diesel
It's probably depends where in the country you are if this is worthwhile.
Summer diesel will start waxing about -8c