New Diesel Fuel Harmful to rubber gaskets?

[bear15]

Thanks for all the helpful information. We have a 1982 VW Vanagon (camper) which has a 1.6 L Diesel engine that we just got out for the summer.

If anyone knows of an additive that could help this potential problem, please post it here.

Originally Posted by bear15

Is the New Diesel Fuel Harmful to rubber gaskets? I spoke with a few Diesel mechanics who are reporting problems with the new Diesel Fuel in VW Diesel engines-- e.g. rubber gaskets & seals in fuel injector pumps degrade especially if the vehicle sits for longer periods of time. This repair is $500 - $600.


Any fuel additive suggestions?

[Lug_Nut]

Diesel fuel, as with any mineral based liquid, should not be allowed to remain in contact with natural or Buna rubbers. The oils in the fluids will leach into the rubber and begin to break the molecular bonds. This means don't let the oil leak from the cam gasket get onto the cam belt, Don't let the fuel spill remain on the radiator hose. Correct the wheel bearing to prevent slinging grease on the tire.
The fuel components use synthetic rubber and are quite resistant (but not impervious forever) to the effects of fuels and oils, but the other rubbers components under the hood not expected to be exposed to fuel may not be.
Any rubber, natural or synthetic, will eventually lose elasticity and plasticizers. A 30 year old tire isn't expected to hold 30 psi. An injector pump seal holding 3000 psi might be expected to weep a bit sooner than that.

[trebuchet03]

Originally Posted by bear15

We have a 1982 ....

If anyone knows of an additive that could help this potential problem, please post it here.

This is pretty much what I was going to say

Any rubber, natural or synthetic, will eventually lose elasticity and plasticizers. A 30 year old tire isn't expected to hold 30 psi. An injector pump seal holding 3000 psi might be expected to weep a bit sooner than that.

Given the age - it'd be hard to pin "new diesel" as the cause of any future failure...

[Bill in Houston]

So, hold on, sorry for the diversion. An '82 Vanagon, with the 1.6 liter diesel - Isn't top speed on a level road something like 65 mph?

[bear15]

Yes, when going down a slight hill we might reach 70mph. You must know this vehicle. We don't drive it very much but it is amazing that a vehicle as heavy as this one (Vanagon Camper) averages in the low to mid 30's mpg.

FYI, I just heard back from a VW rep. that confirmed the below using carefully selected wording.


[QUOTE=bear15;26597]Is the New Diesel Fuel Harmful to rubber gaskets? I spoke with a few Diesel mechanics who are reporting problems with the new Diesel Fuel in VW Diesel engines-- e.g. rubber gaskets & seals in fuel injector pumps degrade especially if the vehicle sits for longer periods of time.

Any fuel additive suggestions?

Originally Posted by Bill in Houston

So, hold on, sorry for the diversion. An '82 Vanagon, with the 1.6 liter diesel - Isn't top speed on a level road something like 65 mph?

[Bill in Houston]

Interesting. Actually, I was just guessing based on a diesel Rabbit of the same vintage that I drove once.

You know, we often talk about having an engine just the right size to maintain cruising speed, and no larger, and it seems that you are there... And the payoff is that you get killer-good mileage for a vehicle that size and shape.

Anyway, thanks for answering my OT question, and good luck with the new fuel. The refineries spent a ton of money getting ready to make it, so I hope it is really great for users and for reducing pollution.

[omgwtfbyobbq]

Try aromatics like toluene, xylene, etc... The thing is, if the seal swell subsided, and the seals were stuck/ripped, adding aromatics to get the to swell again won't do anything. Which is what I think Lug_nut and trebuchet03 were trying to get at. I suggest getting a seal set, a spare pump, and trying to replace them yourself. There's also the ebayer selling reseals for ~$150.

[GasSavers_Ryland]

a brand new VW injector pump seal costs about $15, and should take about two hours to replace if you've never done it befor, of course if you don't have the right tools to reset the timing it might never get back together.
if you want to replace all the rubber fuel lines on a VW with solvint resistent lines, I figured a while back that it would cost around $20, at about $5 per foot for the fuel line, as most of the fuel lines are steel with rubber connecting the tank, and the pump, and the filter, and the only rubber seal that I know of is the main shaft seal on the injector pump, at least on the older VW's, newer TDI's and so on are suposed to have compatible rubber.

[Sludgy]

I've had no problems with the Powerstroke engine....... that includes 1/2 tank of off road (.2% sulfur) diesel last fall when I was deep in the woods with no other alternatives...... and no problems with new 30 ppm sulfur diesel.

[bear15]

Good news. Thanks for the information.

Originally Posted by Sludgy

I've had no problems with the Powerstroke engine....... that includes 1/2 tank of off road (.2% sulfur) diesel last fall when I was deep in the woods with no other alternatives...... and no problems with new 30 ppm sulfur diesel.