Diesel Storage for Webasto

[Brian98133]

While I love having the option to crank on the heat this time of year, we just haven't had enough cold weather in the PNW to warrant using the Webasto much.

Since we have a gas OB, the diesel for the Webasto is just being stored in the 3 gallon tank. I'm guessing I won't go through more than a gallon per year, so I'm wondering how long diesel can stay viable in the tank?

Is it necessary to add stabilizer to the diesel? I would think for compression-type combustion, you'd want to add stabilizer... but since it's being used in a furnace, I wasn't sure.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Kevin Lamont]

While I love having the option to crank on the heat this time of year, we just haven't had enough cold weather in the PNW to warrant using the Webasto much.

Since we have a gas OB, the diesel for the Webasto is just being stored in the 3 gallon tank. I'm guessing I won't go through more than a gallon per year, so I'm wondering how long diesel can stay viable in the tank?

Is it necessary to add stabilizer to the diesel? I would think for compression-type combustion, you'd want to add stabilizer... but since it's being used in a furnace, I wasn't sure.

Thanks in advance!

Hello,

Yes it is best to treat the diesel and or gasoline if you will not being using the boat for extended amount of time. I have attached a link, https://www.westmarine.com/buy/biobor-- ... ecordNum=9, this is one that treats and stabilizes the diesel fuel. Hope this helps.

Thanks,

 

[SkookumR29]

My apologies, I was not paying attention to which boat you had; my comments still may be helpful to those with the 29 and 31.


First of all, my reply assumes that you meant 30-gallon tank and not 3-gallon.

What I have been doing with our 2011 R29 that has a 30-gallon auxiliary tank feeding the diesel heater is to occasionally transfer fuel from the aux tank to the main tank (at least twice per year) so it does not go stale. Like ours, your boat should have a transfer pump and isolation valve that easily allows you to do this. The pump switch is a rocker style switch that requires you to continuously hold it down in the on position which is kind a paint, but I feel it is worth the effort. I do this in addition to treating the fuel as the factory suggests.

One other thing I have been doing during the summer when the heater is seldom needed is to only keep about 5 gallons in the aux tank - just enough to exercise it once a month per manufacturer. This keep about 200 pounds of unnecessary weight out of the boat. If you are planning on a long cruise, you can certainly top off the aux tank for added range.

 

[BradOwens]

Actually, the outboard models have a 3 gallon tank just for the furnace since the outboards run on gasoline. Still not a bad idea to add fuel stabilizer if you won't be using it much. Also, Webasto recommends running the furnace on high for, I think, one hour per month to keep everything working.

 

[Brian98133]

Thanks all! I probably didn't make clear that the only diesel onboard is in the 3 gallon tank specifically for the Webasto.

I have been doing the monthly 'run up' for maintenance, but if I understand correctly, the Webasto uses about 1 cup per hour of diesel. That still leaves quite a bit in the storage tank that won't be used for many, many months.

I haven't found anywhere that Webasto advises against using stabilizer... so I'll probably go with others' recommendation and treat the leftover diesel.

Kevin, since I don't know much about stabilizers... is the Biobor better than Stabil (for example) in this case?

 

[knotflying]

If it were me I would empty the tank once per year and replace with new fuel. If you have a diesel truck just pour the fuel in it. If you have oil heat at home you can pour it in there. If you have a friend with a diesel truck I am sure he will take it.