O-ring preservation

[drh1965]

Is there anything that is safe to apply to the o-ring on a diesel deck fill that would keep it from breaking down so rapidly? The o-ring lasts around 3 months before breaking down letting water in when it rains.

[cagney]

Have you tried an oring made of
viton? See here for example
Viton O-Rings.

[Zach]

You can try a pure silicone grease on them, I've used Parker Lube in the past but don't believe it is rated for fuel.

If you can find an industrial source for sheet rubber, they may be able to cut some square ones for you some if they are a funny size. They may stock nitrile, viton, or silicone rubber o-rings in the size you need. You may have to find someone with an account with them.

If you are trying to use hardware store variety, they are probably not be rated for fuel, swelling up then cracking and falling apart. NAPA or another parts house would be a better bet.

Good luck with it!

[rtbates]

go to any dive shop and buy the silicone grease that is used on silicone dive mask, fins, etc. Use it on all your rubber gaskets, port, head, manual bilge pump etc.

[Alan Wheeler]

That is an interesting problem. Boy, you guy's must have some tuff fuel over there. the O-Ring on my cap is years old and is fine. Nitrile is certainly the material you need. Surely some place would sell you a Nitrile ORing.

[seafox]

Same here. My o rings last for ages. I have only replaced one in five years and it was when I first bought the boat.

[Zach]

Theres a lot of junk up here for sale. Most of the big box hardware stores carry the lowest price loose stuff they can find... it may be the right part, but its made out of cheese.

I call this the cheese factor.

[Pblais]

Wheels is correct. Nitrile is the material. Fuel will eat up some of the cheap rings. Mine are 17 years old and fine.

[Alan Wheeler]

Mine are 17 years old and fine.

Phew!, that's a relief to read. I was beginning to wonder if you guys ran your Deisels on moonshine or something equally as gut rot to seals.

[Pblais]

I was beginning to wonder if you guys ran your Deisels on moonshine or something equally as gut rot to seals.

Why would we waste perfectly good wiskey?

[drh1965]

Thanks for the responses... I think the o-ring is all being degraded by UV. Will Nitrile stand up to UV?

[Alan Wheeler]

The O-ring surely would not be in sunlight when screw down?

[Pblais]

On my cap the ring is all covered by metal and never sees daylight unless the cap is off.

Try this web site:

McMaster-Carr

At the search prompt type "O ring" then select "O ring materials". They have a run down about each type of material and what they are good for. Then try to find the size you need in a compatiable material. They have an internet store and ship in a few days. They are based in Georgia. I've bought some pretty odd stuff I could only find there.

[drh1965]

Originally Posted by Alan Wheeler

The O-ring surely would not be in sunlight when screw down?

Yeah, the o-ring is over-sized. The local West Marine has Perko o-rings and fillers but these don't fit.

[drh1965]

Originally Posted by Pblais

On my cap the ring is all covered by metal and never sees daylight unless the cap is off.

Try this web site:

McMaster-Carr

At the search prompt type "O ring" then select "O ring materials". They have a run down about each type of material and what they are good for. Then try to find the size you need in a compatiable material. They have an internet store and ship in a few days. They are based in Georgia. I've bought some pretty odd stuff I could only find there.

Thanks. Appreciate the link.