zinc in the fuel system....

[waltk]

I am on the verge of buying the banjo-bolt kit from Geno's Garage... I am hesitating because the description says these banjo bolts are *ZINC PLATED*... We all should be aware storage of Diesel fuel in a galvanized container is a no-no... but this also extends, so it appears from the quote below --



<<



Keeping the Fuel Away from Harmful Metals





The metals to avoid are copper and its alloys, such as monel; and zinc,

usually found in galvanized coatings on steel tanks and pipes. Copper

greatly speeds gum formation. Zinc, in the presence of water, can form a

zinc hydroxide gel which rapidly plugs filters. Zinc can also react with

tiny amounts of weak organic acids in diesel/heating fuels to form

compounds which foul injectors and burners.



>>



to any use of zinc in the fuel system... can anyone verify whether those otherwise-awesome-sounding bolts truly are zinc-plated?



Walt K.

 

[Ray Torresdal]

zinc dichromate

I checked with both the plater, and someone who has worked on John Deere fuel injection systems the last several years. JD has used zinc plated fuel line components since my friend has been in their employ, and they have never seen or heard of a problem. The plater has done similar parts for other mfg's. , and never heard of a problem.



We are not talking about galvanizing here!



This topic has been through the mill once before, by the way, and we haven't seen any data that would cause any concerns in terms of using the plated banjo bolts. If it makes you feel any better, there is very little plating that actually ends up on the interior surfaces. We are plating the parts to keep them looking good on the exterior. Until proven wrong, I'll bet the factory bolts are also zinc plated.



Ray

 

[illflem]

Seems to me the that the fuel tank modules are plated as are 12 valve mechanical fuel pumps. I wouldn't worry about the bolts, it's not like there are several square feet of surface area as in the case of a tank.

 

[The patriot]

My Dad uses zinc plated gas cans regularly, against my advice.

Some dogs are just too old to teach new tricks... ...

Eric

PS His truck has over 150K (it's a 1990 1 ton CTD ) and he has not had any fuel related problems.

 

[rrausch]

I have a bunch of 5-gallon Type-1 Safety Cans for Gasoline storage which are galvanized on the inside, and I e-mailed the Manuf' and asked 'em if there was a difference between the gas storage cans and Diesel storage cans. And asked if I could store Diesel in the gas Type-1's. They e-mailed me back and said the only difference was the color of paint on the exterior. They said their Diesel cans were galvanized on the inside just like the gas ones and it didn't make any diff.



Now then... I've also heard rumors that Diesel would "spoil" in galvanized cans. I notice I haven't stored any Diesel in my Type-1 cans. They sit empty except when I need them for the H, or when gas is really low in price.

 

[waltk]

many thanks for the replies... I did search here to see whether the zinc-topic had been addressed... I guess those posts faded into the bit-bucket. Again, many thanks, especially Ray for the anecdote on Deere using zinc-plated components. And, yes, I was aware that plating is not the same process as used to create galvanized products. I'll be acquiring a set of most-awesomely-useful banjo bolts soon.



Walt K.

 

[waltk]

I left this out -- since it appears we have resolved the question, Moderator, please feel free to mark this thread closed.



Walt K.