Copper tubing and Diesel Fuel
 

04 f250 SD
Engine Built date 11/14/03

Queston for the group. I would like to use 5/16 copper tubing in conjunction with rubber hose to connect my aux. fuel tank to existing fuel filler neck. Does the copper tubing become corrosive when exposed to the diesel fuel?

Use stainless steel

Yes. Diesel contains sulfur which is corrosive to yellow metals (brass, copper.) Use stainless tubing instead.

Hmmm I belieive most oil tanks in homes have copper oil lines ,,from tank to burner, doesnt seem to affect them in any way,,and there installed for yrs,,I also use home heating fuel for my machines,,excavator, dozer, backhoe, skidsteer, works fine,,except when it gets real cold,,then additive goes in,

Later,,,,,,,,,,Mark

Dont know the answer to that one, however, the plug in the HFCM is brass as we all know, so it must not be that corrosive to yellow metals. The last thing we need is that stupid plug to get corrosion welded in place :rolleyes:

Dave

It is my understanding there are many different additives in fuel oil vs motor diesel.............not just for cold...........??

Well, I've used copper with diesel without problems, but stainless will probably stop all concern about corrosion. Besides, you're not talking about much piping, so the cost differential is minimal--go stainless and sleep better.

Well there is the red dye for sure in home heating fuel, so if they stick your tank,,they can tell,,! But it seems to run just as well in equipment,,where you dont have to pay the road tax,,thats all I have run for years with no affect on the equipment .

I have looked at the ingredients in diesel additives,,and they all have 1 thing in common,,,,,kerosene,,I would hope there are more ingredients then just that,,,I dont have one here now to look at. later,,,,,,,,Mark

I think the problem is with zinc (brass = copper + zinc). Diesel leaches the zinc from brass and the zinc gets deposited in the injector body. I don't think it bothers home heating units because they don't have high pressure injectors like diesel motors. I'm pretty sure all copper tubing has some zinc in it for strength.

Notice the stock plug for the fuel/water separator on the HFCM is brass. If you get a replacement, it is steel.

That is why it is not a good idea to put diesel in a galvanized container. It will leach out the zinc and suspend in the diesel until it gets to the fuel injector. $$$$$

Is there an issue if yo put it in aluminium

Not to my knowledge. Almost all big trucks use Aluminum fuel tanks.

Thanks.....now if I can jsut learn how to spell uoy, I mean, ouy, or oyu, o-well
:-wink