Galvanic corrosion possible in fuel system?

dgeist · **Posted:** Tue Mar 12, 2013 10:56 am

A thread about corrosion of brass fittings in the coolant system got me thinking about the setup I'm using for fuel filtration. I'm using a single stage Stanadyne Fuel filter system with a machined aluminum head. The inputs/outputs are all NPT threaded. On the four openings, I have:
- 2x 90&deg chrome-plated brass threaded to barb elbow
- 1 stainless threaded temp sensor
- 1 brass NPT blocking plug

I'm guessing the stainless is find since it's a very similar metal to Al, but Brass(copper, specifically) can react quite a bit if in contact with Al. So, the questions are:

- Am I safe with the chrome-plated brass assuming the plating stays intact at all contact points?
- Am I right about the stainless (no real concern for corrosion)
- Should I replace the brass plug with something else?

Obviously, time would tell, but I'd like to avoid having corrosion on the filtered side of my fuel system as a matter of design, not happenstance. Also, I usually run ULSD or B20 if it makes any significant difference.

Dan

kjjet · **Posted:** Tue Mar 12, 2013 11:09 am

I beleve you should be ok with regards to your fuel system. Stainless Steel is the best to use in a fuel system, but i have never had different materals causing corrosion in a Diesel fuel system. Coolant system? YES!

dgeist · **Posted:** Tue Mar 12, 2013 1:56 pm

kjjet wrote:

I beleve you should be ok with regards to your fuel system. Stainless Steel is the best to use in a fuel system, but i have never had different materals causing corrosion in a Diesel fuel system. Coolant system? YES!

Right. That is my thinking (given my own limited experience and shade-tree chemistry knowledge). I'm hoping to have one of those "I drive a big rig 40 hrs a week for the last 30 years" and copper/Al/diesel has never corroded on me" kind of answers...
:wink:

Galvanic corrosion possible in fuel system?

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