Last year, I had a problem with my FSV failing on a road trip. I'd like to avoid this.

I'm looking at McMaster Carr for three way ball valves. Ball valves don't fail.

What materials should I avoid for Diesel/BioDiesel?

There are different materials of valve, ball, and seals.

Seals: PTFE, Glass Filled PTFE, Buna-N, Viton
Metal parts: Bronze, Brass, Aluminum, 316 Stainless, Nickel plated, Chrome plated


What will break down in diesel fuel? Some of those options are very expensive.

 

Hi Pele,
Here is a manual selector valve that should work well for you. It's a 3-port and costs about $16 each.

MSC Industrial Supply Co. Home Page
Part # MSC # 73305781

Also, there is a company called Anderson Brass online (google it), and they make both 3 and 6-port manual switching solenoids. Anderson's prices are pretty expensive though.

Good luck!

 

Anderson Brass Company | Manufacturers of Miniature Ball Valves, Brass Ball Valves, Drain Valves, Specialty Valves, Check Valves, Mulit-port Valves, Hartsville, SC

That's the Anderson site. I'm pretty sure that both those valves would be able to withstand diesel. I know a guy who was using the brass MSC 3-port manual valves for running hot vegetable oil, and apparently they have been working well for years.