Refilling Wallas tank

W

westward

New member
What are some of your practices and suggestions for refilling the diesel fuel tank located on the fiberglass floor within the cabinet below the heater/stove? Still on my first tank, and I would really like to avoid having any diesel drips/spillage during the refill process. The tank seems too small to drag a fuel dock nozzle into the cabin to refill directly, plus those nozzles seem to be always dripping with smelly fuel residue.

Thanks, and happy holidays!
 
Westward,
I filled mine last week and never spilled a drop.
First, open the cabinet and get all of the things away from the perimeter of the tank. Unscrew the lid to the tank. Loosen the strap from around the tank. Move the fuel container, still upright, away from its mounting location, just a bit (as the fuel hose is stiff and needs a little distance, to retract the cap and hose out of the tank). Lift the cap and hose out of the tank and set a paper towel under it. Take the tank off of the boat and with a funnel, fill it to the full line with diesel fuel.
Lastly take the same steps putting the tank back in place. I typically wear nitrile gloves though out the evolution.
 
I use a smaller 2 gallon plastic fuel can that has one of those spouts that you have to push against a lip to open. As long as you have the spout on tight, no mess. (It's a red one for gas, that I painted yellow.)
 
Thanks for the pro tips! Any thoughts on fuel stabilizer for longer term storage? I have a diesel fuel conditioner I use in my Hiace van, but I'm not aware of a stabilizer specifically made for diesel.
 
Stabil makes a version for diesel. However I use Howes Diesel Conditioner and Anti-Gel. That's worked fine for storage over our Wisconsin winters and all other times. (I user it both in my Webasto Diesel heater and in my Kubota BX2200 diesel tractor.) Colby
 
We carry a one gallon container of extra diesel fuel. (Kept in the splash well), We use the spout to easily transfer to the container which fuels the Wallas stove. (some use kerosene, some use diesel). If a long trip in AK, then we carried 2 gallons of diesel.

Occasionally the tubing connections to the fuel pump (displacement solenoid type which goes click click.) come loose, and need to be checked. To see if the fuel is moving in the line, introduce a small air bubble and follow it up the clear tube.
 
thataway":2t23i5pq said:
We carry a one gallon container of extra diesel fuel. (Kept in the splash well), We use the spout to easily transfer to the container which fuels the Wallas stove. (some use kerosene, some use diesel). If a long trip in AK, then we carried 2 gallons of diesel.

Occasionally the tubing connections to the fuel pump (displacement solenoid type which goes click click.) come loose, and need to be checked. To see if the fuel is moving in the line, introduce a small air bubble and follow it up the clear tube.
Click to expand...

He's not wrong. I do exactly what he said in our shoulder seasons. A small portable sitting on the splash well is a good thing when you need it.
 
Thanks for the pro tips! Any thoughts on fuel stabilizer for longer term storage? I have a diesel fuel conditioner I use in my Hiace van, but I'm not aware of a stabilizer specifically made for diesel.
Click to expand...

There are several different fuel stabilizers available on the market and I use these in my farm tractor and diesel truck. Using antigel stabilizer is often essential even with winter diesel here in the Great White North where -30 to 40 is common in the winter.

That being said, there is nothing better than fresh fuel. At the end of the season I like to drain all my fuel tanks and start with fresh fuel in the spring. Waxes and gums can form with storage and impact your appliances and engines when they are used again. If you don't have a diesel vehicle, maybe you have a neighbour who does and donate the fuel to him.
 
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