stoo
New member
Have a couple of fuel pipes that have a small weep of diesel coming from them do you think some PTFE tape will solve this or is there something better ?
THANKS
THANKS
Weeping fuel
- Thread starter stoo
- Start date
pvb
Well-known member
There's some filthy dark brown jointing compound specially made for diesel. It's called "Holdtite" or "Heldtite" or something like that (the tube's on the boat and I can't remember). You can get it from good diesel engineering places. Alternatively, some people might say that Calortite would be OK, but I'm not sure how well it stands up to diesel.
andy_wilson
New member
No
Ideally they should be remade with new flares / seats.
You shouldn't do it, but I was forced to pay for a fuel tank replacement to be finished, and the wimp used a sealing compound on the joints. It is brown and effective but I always fear it could contaminate the fuel supply with flakes.
Ideally they should be remade with new flares / seats.
You shouldn't do it, but I was forced to pay for a fuel tank replacement to be finished, and the wimp used a sealing compound on the joints. It is brown and effective but I always fear it could contaminate the fuel supply with flakes.
rich
Well-known member
probably been over tightend, best to renew the pipes, and end fittings.
rich
) <P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by rich on 27/01/2003 23:10 (server time).</FONT></P>
rich
) <P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by rich on 27/01/2003 23:10 (server time).</FONT></P>dickh
New member
I've certainly fixed a leaking union on the pipe from my oil tank at home with PTFE tape - I used it sparingly and it worked.
dickh
I'd rather be sailing... /forums/images/icons/smile.gif
dickh
I'd rather be sailing...
/forums/images/icons/smile.gif
vyv_cox
Well-known member
No
Never use PTFE tape downstream of the secondary filter. Injectors have very small clearances and these are easily blocked by tape. We burnt out a combustor liner in a power generation gas turbine when one fuel injector was blocked by PTFE - cost to repair half million dollars. Remaking the tubes is the best option but at least paste shouldn't cause the same level of damage.
Compression fittings should not need sealant. If they do it is time to replace them - they have been tightened too many times.
Never use PTFE tape downstream of the secondary filter. Injectors have very small clearances and these are easily blocked by tape. We burnt out a combustor liner in a power generation gas turbine when one fuel injector was blocked by PTFE - cost to repair half million dollars. Remaking the tubes is the best option but at least paste shouldn't cause the same level of damage.
Compression fittings should not need sealant. If they do it is time to replace them - they have been tightened too many times.
AndrewB
Well-known member
I've used Calortite successfully even on the high pressure lines.
But this is definitely non-standard - don't blame me if it results in a blocked injector, or worse!
But this is definitely non-standard - don't blame me if it results in a blocked injector, or worse!
mtb
New member
Copper pipes can be annealed and infact should be every couple of years.Take the system apart heat the pipe to cherry red then quench it in water job done copper pipe soft again even new pipe can need annealing after a few bends have work hardened it making it hard to fit.
It's just the same re copper washers.
If you cant do this then new pipe and olives / washers.
After that Locktight 603 is impervious to oils and fuels , it's actually meant for fitting parts like bearings where there is some play but I have found it to be excellent for many other applications, but not cheap.
Cheers
Mick
smile you'l be on your boat soon ;-)
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It's just the same re copper washers.
If you cant do this then new pipe and olives / washers.
After that Locktight 603 is impervious to oils and fuels , it's actually meant for fitting parts like bearings where there is some play but I have found it to be excellent for many other applications, but not cheap.
Cheers
Mick
smile you'l be on your boat soon ;-)
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Trevor_swfyc
New member
Remember Flixborough
Never bodge fuel lines otherwise you could creat your own mini Flixborough. It is often thought diesel is so safe its never going to flash off. If diesel sprays onto a hot surface or soaks into a rag on a hot surface then it may well start a fire.
It is also very critical that the olive on the pipe is the correct one, have seen a new olive spray diesel all over the engine and the reason was the olive angle was not correct and so had no chance of seating.
Would you put PTFE tape on your car brake pipes, I hope not.
Stay safe!
Trevor
Never bodge fuel lines otherwise you could creat your own mini Flixborough. It is often thought diesel is so safe its never going to flash off. If diesel sprays onto a hot surface or soaks into a rag on a hot surface then it may well start a fire.
It is also very critical that the olive on the pipe is the correct one, have seen a new olive spray diesel all over the engine and the reason was the olive angle was not correct and so had no chance of seating.
Would you put PTFE tape on your car brake pipes, I hope not.
Stay safe!
Trevor
AndrewB
Well-known member
True but ....
Calortite is sold specifically for sealing LPG lines, and LPG is even more dangerous than diesel.
Your admonition not to bodge applies with considerably more force to LPG, which is poisonous as well as highly inflamatory. It is a gripe that CORGI engineers are so expensive, and few are prepared to tackle boat installations. Many yards can't afford to register and train staff (who will then leave for better-paid jobs). The result of this system in practice is counterproductive: it encourages DIY bodging.
Calortite is sold specifically for sealing LPG lines, and LPG is even more dangerous than diesel.
Your admonition not to bodge applies with considerably more force to LPG, which is poisonous as well as highly inflamatory. It is a gripe that CORGI engineers are so expensive, and few are prepared to tackle boat installations. Many yards can't afford to register and train staff (who will then leave for better-paid jobs). The result of this system in practice is counterproductive: it encourages DIY bodging.
Trevor_swfyc
New member
Re: True but ....
Yes you are right LPG is highly flammable no second chance if this goes up. I think I would be right in saying it is not considered a poison or toxic but if breathed in any concentration would knock you out and death could occur due to hypoxia.
My concern is that what could be a bodged job on the engine during layup could end up being an engine failure later in the sailing season, possibly ending up in a RNLI call out costing far more and being another statistic, which is not in the interest of those concerned that we maintain the freedom to go to sea that we all enjoy at the moment.
Many thanks.
Trevor
Yes you are right LPG is highly flammable no second chance if this goes up. I think I would be right in saying it is not considered a poison or toxic but if breathed in any concentration would knock you out and death could occur due to hypoxia.
My concern is that what could be a bodged job on the engine during layup could end up being an engine failure later in the sailing season, possibly ending up in a RNLI call out costing far more and being another statistic, which is not in the interest of those concerned that we maintain the freedom to go to sea that we all enjoy at the moment.
Many thanks.
Trevor
seaesta
New member
Re: Remember Flixborough
Diesel seems safe because it takes a lot of heat to get it burning. Trouble is once it gets going it is very intense and takes a lot of putting out. I agree - do not bodge up - except as an expedient when on a passage.
Diesel seems safe because it takes a lot of heat to get it burning. Trouble is once it gets going it is very intense and takes a lot of putting out. I agree - do not bodge up - except as an expedient when on a passage.
AndrewB
Well-known member
There was a time ....
... when some of us regularly went sailing without an engine at all!!!. How irresponsible is that?
So - now we are tough on engine maintenance, sloppy on elementary skills. With a few exceptions (such as being caught in the middle of a TSS in a calm), anyone who needs a lifeboat as a result of an engine failing really shouldn't be out there.
... when some of us regularly went sailing without an engine at all!!!. How irresponsible is that?
So - now we are tough on engine maintenance, sloppy on elementary skills. With a few exceptions (such as being caught in the middle of a TSS in a calm), anyone who needs a lifeboat as a result of an engine failing really shouldn't be out there.
seaesta
New member
Re: There was a time ....
Very true but avioding fire is pretty elementary my dear watson
Very true but avioding fire is pretty elementary my dear watson
david_bagshaw
Well-known member
Locktite make a fuel oil jointing cpd, ****** expensive, but it works!
David
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David
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AndrewB
Well-known member
Fire risk.
I can't argue with that. But are fires due to diesel leaks really very common in yachts?
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.rnli.org.uk/downloads/2001_stats.xls>RNLI statistics for 2001</A> show 1% (12 out of 987) callouts to yachts with an engine were due to fire - some of which would have been due to LPG or other causes rather than a diesel leak. At the same time 27% were caused by engine failure, the chief risk of bodged maintenance.
I can't argue with that. But are fires due to diesel leaks really very common in yachts?
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.rnli.org.uk/downloads/2001_stats.xls>RNLI statistics for 2001</A> show 1% (12 out of 987) callouts to yachts with an engine were due to fire - some of which would have been due to LPG or other causes rather than a diesel leak. At the same time 27% were caused by engine failure, the chief risk of bodged maintenance.
