Best Way to Store an Injection Pump?

[rs899]

I have been having fuel system difficulties lately on the Jetta, most likely caused by water and crap in the fuel tank.  Now that I have cleaned it out , seems to be running better, but I may want to build up an injection pump and have it ready in case this one fails ( or may rebuild an engine for another project later on).

If I do that, what's the best way to keep it fresh after it has been reassembled?  Put diesel in it?  Something else?

[vanbcguy]

Automatic transmission fluid seems to be a popular choice... Biggest thing is to store it indoors in the warm rather than in an unheated garage.

[92EcoDiesel Jetta]

After filling the IP with diesel, you want to have an air tight cap on the in/ return ports as well as the delivery valve ports.

[rs899]

Biggest thing is to store it indoors in the warm

I live in Florida, so that's not really an issue.  Humidity is.  If I can somehow convince SWMBO that the thing won't crap all other the shelving, perhaps it can be potty trained and can reside in the air con'd house....

I think I will try ATF ( except that could make a mess if I can bring it in the house)

[92EcoDiesel Jetta]

I'd be concerned with compatibility of ATF and the seals in long term storage.  Why not store it in the fuel it was designed for?

[jb86]

use atf type F.
ive been restoring my 1991 jetta.
i was told to use type f to coat inside sheet metal areas to prevent rust. ive coated everything with it including the brake lines and fittings to hopefully slow the corrosion.
all of the underneath.
the reason for type F. it doesnt damage rubber, like the rubber bushings.
as ive been told.
jon

[rs899]

I'd be concerned with compatibility of ATF and the seals in long term storage.

It's a concern, but I don't think it's any different than worrying about the seals in an auto transmission.  Besides, it's not going to be subject to heat.  I think there would be more chance for corrosion with diesel than ATF. 

[R.O.R-2.0]

I'd be concerned with compatibility of ATF and the seals in long term storage.

It's a concern, but I don't think it's any different than worrying about the seals in an auto transmission.  Besides, it's not going to be subject to heat.  I think there would be more chance for corrosion with diesel than ATF. 

thats what i was going to get at, the seals in a trans..

if we can RUN these cars on ATF, why couldnt we store our pumps with some in there?

[vanbcguy]

I'd be concerned with compatibility of ATF and the seals in long term storage.  Why not store it in the fuel it was designed for?

They problem is diesel fuel is hygroscopic - it attracts and absorbs water. It will literally pull water out of the air.  Run through some temperature / humidity changes and you will find a layer of water under the diesel in the pump eventually, which will quite happily rust away the rollers and camplate in the bottom of the pump.  If you look at pictures of older pumps that sat for a long time full of diesel they often have pitting or rust.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hygroscopy

ATF doesn't have this property and is designed for long term contact with seals and parts made from the same materials as our pumps.  Unlike diesel, it doesn't go "bad" quickly when not subjected to heat, and will last many many years.

[ORCoaster]

Gotta love a man that gets it right.  Most people think the word is hrDroscopic, as in water loving.  Thanks for the proper use and link.

If you ever suspect water in your fuel it is easy to determine using a known volume of water.  You put it into the fuel and shake it up, then let it sit and decant it off and measure the water part.  We are talking Millimeter measure here.  Any existing water in the diesel will be pulled out and added to the known amount and you can see if you have more.  If so, you have water in the tank. 

This same test is recommended for those that use gas with ethanol in it, and you can barely buy it without these days.  Ethanol has this water drawing drawback even moreso than diesel I think.

I would opt for the ATF.. Not the ones with the guns and tobacco,  just those with the alcohol.

[92EcoDiesel Jetta]

How is air and moisture going to get in if you cap all the ports air tight? I've see diesel vehicles sit for 10 years and with a fresh battery, starts right up with the 10 year old fuel. It started because the system was air tight.

I'd find out what Bosch recommends for a storage fluid. ATF formulations has changed over the years so I would research what type you put in first.

[vanbcguy]

How is air and moisture going to get in if you cap all the ports air tight? I've see diesel vehicles sit for 10 years and with a fresh battery, starts right up with the 10 year old fuel. It started because the system was air tight.

I'd find out what Bosch recommends for a storage fluid. ATF formulations has changed over the years so I would research what type you put in first.

Just because it started doesn't mean there isn't rust in the pump that could have been avoided.  True though, if everything is COMPLETELY airtight then you will have far less problems.  A bit of masking tape over the ports isn't going to cut it though.

Most of the changes to ATF have to do with its friction properties and heat resistance, neither of which are a concern here.  Regardless, I have no pump currently that I need to store in good condition so I have little invested in the outcome here.

[ToddA1]

The last time I stored a pump, I packed it full of petroleum jelly.  I already had it open to clean and reseal, so it wasn't that big of a deal.

-Todd

[Blocksmith]

Wouldn't that mean you'll have to open it back up to clean it out again when it's time to use it? I don't doubt that it would be a near-perfect protector from rust, but that sounds like more work than necessary.... Anyone ever tried something like Marvel Mystery Oil?

[ToddA1]

I doubt it; it'd basically melt once the diesel hits it.  Petroleum jelly is basically paraffin, so no harm should come to the engine if ingested.  If you wanted to play it safe, I guess you could prime the pump with the injector lines in bottles.

I didn't do a 100% full pack, but I probably put way more in there than I needed.

-Todd