DOT Air Line as fuel line?

[RJ]

As the subject heading states, is it possible to use plastic DOT air line hose for diesel fuel?  Or will the fuel dissolve the plastic?

Thinking about replumbing the supply & return lines on my genset. . .

TIA,

RJ

[Darkspeed]

They make Nylon Diesel lines so I would think it would but you would need to test it.

http://ph.parker.com/us/en/diesel-fuel-tubing-pft-series-fuel-tube-1

http://www.parker.com/Literature/Fluid%20Connectors%20Group/Fluid%20Connectors%20Group%20Static%20Files/J-ParflexTubing.pdf

I think J844 TYPE B will but it would be better to use a rated fuel line.

Nylon is resistant to a broad range of chemicals including most agricultural chemicals, ammonium compounds, detergents, diesel fuel, ethanol, gasoline, hexane, magnesium sulphate, most sodium compounds, trichloroethylene and zinc sulphate.

[luvrbus]

If it's not coated the Dot Nylon for air lines will just swell and turn to mush,there are so many different grades of Nylon tubing it's not funny.

I have saw people buy the nylon tubing for drip systems at Ace and use for fuel or air and wonder why it failed.It's your ball game but I would buy fuel rated not the air rated DOT tubing JMO 

[TedCalvert]

Is copper not a choice?

[eagle19952]

Is copper not a choice?

Two things I would hold against it..vibration and cost.

I have used the nylon as return outside the engine compartment.

[kyle4501]

When you consider the cost of a leak that leaves you out of fuel & a huge mess to clean up - is it worth the risk to use anything other than fuel rated lines?

As for copper - it is subject to fatigue cracking, so vibration will eventually provide a leak. 

[TedCalvert]

Hasn't soft copper tubing been the material of choice for refrigerant, air and fuel lines when these buses were built?  Properly supported, of course, and with flex at movement points. 
Just curious, as I'm more of a wire man than anything else.

[luvrbus]

What's wrong with old school cloth covered fuel line it doesn't cost that much and they make it you can use clamps on (Gates)

[joel_newton]

Noticed my bus has DOT air line for fuel.  It is on my short-list to replace with diesel rated fuel line.  Not taking any chances.  Clifford is right on.

[luvrbus]

When it comes to air rated and fuel rated or any liquid the liquids like water have a greater viscosity than air water is something like 90% greater than air so it will take a toll
It's been so long since I took my test for licensing for water treatment plants I forget the exact numbers but it is way up there
 

[RJ]

Thanks, everyone, for the responses.

The reason for the inquiry is due to problems with my genset.  Having talked to three different PowerTech dealers, plus the factory itself, it seems like the problem is related to fuel starvation when under load, due to the length of the fuel line run from the tank to the genset (8kW).  Whoever installed this generator used 1/4" line, which would have been fine if the genset was right next to the fuel tank.  Unfortunately, I've got an approximate 20' run from the tank, thus the recommendation by PowerTech to replumb with larger 3/8" fuel line.

Todd -

Thanks for the Parker link.  Turns out they've got a distributor only two doors down from where Tortoise is currently being serviced, so easy to check on availability.

Clifford -

While I'm checking on the nylon Parker stuff Todd suggested, I'll also check common rubber fuel line, since this distributor carries both.

Thanks again, everybody!

[luvrbus]

Up grading to 3/8in with a 1/4in lift pump doesn't make much sense to me I hope it works out for you

[jackhanow]

theoretically you could tap into the main fuel line in the front bay inside the tunnel. cut the tube, it should be 1/2 inch copper pipe. cut and install a T fitting, whether it be a compression fitting or a soldered fitting. on a compression fitting make sure you only turn the nut not the fitting.then you should be able to draw only a short distance. be sure to dampen or stabilize the the pipe near the intrusion.

[jackhanow]

sorry the feed line would be the 3/4 inch pipe.

[lvmci]

Hi RJ, interesting new product that lets medium and his viscosity liquids move through their containers easily, diesel grabs on to rubber fuel lines more that stainless, causing slower movement, and I  think restictionr of the flow, was on CBS yesterday, tom...