Diesel & Copper tanks

[johnneale]

I've heard that Diesel and Copper is a bad mix...... What happens and why ???
I gather copper exhaust pipes are banned as they can cause a poisonous gas, but my concern is for copper pipes/fittings and tanks in contact with diesel.

 

[Guest]

I had an old wooden motor sailer with a copper diesel tank. Never had any trouble. I think the first engine (1948) was petrol, but the Lister SL3 was installed in 1961, and I had her until 1996.

 

[vyv_cox]

Two problems that I can think of.

Hydrocarbon lubricants foam badly if copper is included in the oil circuit. May also be a problem with diesel.

Diesel contains active sulphur, so copper sulphide could coat internal surfaces. I doubt whether this would be a major problem, but avoiding particulates in the fuel supply seems like a good idea,

 

[bedouin]

Surely it's common practice to use copper fuel pipes on diesel engines?

 

[boatone]

Absolutely!!!!!

boatone@boatsonthethames.co.uk

 

[duncan]

pick up pipe is frequently copper..........all fuels