lube for fuel line ?

[rick]

I need to remove 3/8" bore 'braided rubber' fuel pipe, from the side of petrol pump/filter combination unit. Hook up temporary fuel supply (part of winterizing process) then refit original fuel pipe.

This fits onto a brass 'barb' male fitting - then secured by jubilee clip ...... The issue is it is at full arms stretch, bad enough to pull the thing off, trying to push it back on is pretty difficult.

Is there any lubricant I can smear onto barb to help refit, obvioulsy don't want to put anything on that would damage fuel injection system, by putting 'lube' on the bar would minimise it getting into the tube.

Is there a trick mechanics use ?

[Roger Hayter]

I'd use silicone spray or silicone grease but I've no idea if it is safe in the context.

[newshound]

Presumably the "rubber" is either nitrile or fluorocarbon, for compatibility with the hydrocarbon fuel. So arguably a mineral oil spray, rather than silicone, will be compatible with both the fuel and "rubber". Personally I would stick with liquid lubricants rather than greases.

[Dave Plowman (News]

I'd use red rubber grease. Used on brake parts on cars (cylinders, etc), so kind to flexible seals. You should find a tube of it in Halfords. etc.

[rick]

You mean WD40 or similar ? The description of the fuel line is: "High Quality Cotton Over Braided Rubber/Nitrile Fuel Pipe

Other thought is vasaline as its petroleum product, or a light smear of

2-stroke oil.

[rick]

Is that the actual name for it 'Red Rubber Grease' I have used copper slip on brake parts but won't be using that.

[Dave Plowman (News]

I hope you've not used copper slip when replacing seals in a calliper etc.

[wasbit]

Is there anything wrong with using the normal trick of placing the end in hot water to soften & expand it?

[newshound]

I *was* thinking of WD-40 and competitors, but I didn't want to start a flame war.

Yes vaseline should be OK. You didn't say whether it was petrol or diesel. I'm not sure I would go for two stroke oil because I don't know what additives it might contain. That said, at the "smear" level I don't think it really matters.

[newshound]

I was also thinking of that, although it is more effective on "polymer" lines like nylon and PVC.

[newshound]

But that is different because brake/clutch fluid is glycol, so seals can be SBR, EPDM, etc. which are not compatible with hydrocarbons. In this case, you *are* carrying hydrocarbons.

[Dave Plowman (News]

It's what I always use for lubricating any type of 'rubber'. It seems to be a benign lubricant that is safe on anything like that. Unlike a hydro carbon based product which may well be safe on some types of 'rubber' but not others.

[rick]

On 28/11/2020 10:35, newshound wrote: war.

I will be running a 2-stroke petrol mix through the hose (winterization process) Into a 4-stoke fuel injected engine. I'm connecting to the tank side of fuel pump/filter

[rick]

On anti squeal shim/spring

[Dave Plowman (News]

And different from the grease you use on the hydraulic side. A tube of the correct stuff from Ebay or whatever ain't that expensive. I bought a tub of Castrol rubber grease for under a tenner which I expect will see me out. ;-) A tube would be less, but more by weight.