Viton fuel line and McMaster-Carr - BAD

[Matt Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Matt]

I just tried to order 2 foot (60.9 cm for the rest of the world) and was told that due to complex export arrangements they will not sell to individuals outside fortress USA.

I am extrememly dissapointent with the myopic views of companies selling on the internet with instantaneous credit verification systems refusing to sell outside their sphere of comfort, needless our poor economy here does not even stock such an item. Beside this what the hell do we have an FTA with them for too!

Woe is me, what am I to do! I am not happy.

Matt

[marki Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close marki]

Re: Viton fuel line and McMaster-Carr - BAD

Is there a problem with Ortac? It's readily available from Blackwoods and is easily sufficiently chemically resistant.
I've never quite understood why you wanted Viton.

[Gunner Donating Member Find all posts View Profile Close Gunner]

Re: Viton fuel line and McMaster-Carr - BAD

Ha! I love it, someone else who's got the s***s with McMaster Carr! I have used this company often, even going back to the days of printed catalogs (note Sp!). Now they are online, it's an absolute dream to browse their site. But for some bizzarre reason, one day they decided they didn't want to trade with O/S customers anymore, and they dropped me. Bastards! I had spent bucketloads with them (in big orders and small) and praised their service and staff often. Nup, your money's no good here, Sir! Well, now I don't shop with them anymore, I go....... nowhere, because there is no one quite like them for product variety.

I have, however, a mate in Texas who has placed URGENT orders on my behalf and then shipped them out to me (with NO Customs dramas at all!). Is there anyone you know stateside, Matt?

[Matt Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Matt]

Re: Viton fuel line and McMaster-Carr - BAD

I really dislike these situations, what is the point in the General Agreement on Tariff and Trade (GATT) and a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) if you cannot get things from the USA?

Marki yes there is an issue with Ortac, its 4.8 mm (3/16") and I need 4 mm. ie its too big! Bugger.

I found the Alladins cave called mcmaster-carr several years ago and have only recently had need of their trade and as you said Gunner, no can do.

I do have relatives in San Fransisco and I will have to look them up, a bit silly for a $12US length of fuel hose isn't it! I might just get a bit more and help someone else out locally just to make it truelly worthwhile.

Regards to all,
Matt

[TroyH Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close TroyH]

Re: Viton fuel line and McMaster-Carr - BAD

There is another option. A lot of ebay sellers in the US won't sell to people from overseas (or people without a confirmed US address). There is a company that is essentially a post box setup in the US, where you can have your goods sent to, and who will then send it on to you. I think it is something like www.usaddress.com

you pay some small amount per year to hold the post box and also pay for postage iirc.
I've not used it myself however.

edit: Google found me this : Mail Forwarding Leader - Your Very Own U.S. Mailing Address - Mailforwarding
Don't know if it is the same one. Looks like there might be a few

[timorcoco Donating Member Find all posts View Profile Close timorcoco]

Re: Viton fuel line and McMaster-Carr - BAD

While there is a current fuel line thread ( again) what is anyone/everyones' experience with this Ortac stuff? Marki , how much B100 have you put thru this type of hose ?Specs listed for this in the online catalogue mention the inner as NITRILE. All research and heresay evidence suggests that nitrile rubber is the LEAST resistant to BD.
Any comments anyone? Leaking/weeping may take many months to become evident.Methanol can't be blamed , its not a problem for most rubber etc.
Now I use hose from young Toyota-import wrecks for upgrading mates' vehicles. Most good BD-proof hose is only obtainable in 50 metre rolls locally ( Oz); maybe a joint hose-buyers group needs forming?

John , Dili

[marki Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close marki]

Re: Viton fuel line and McMaster-Carr - BAD

While there is a current fuel line thread ( again) what is anyone/everyones' experience with this Ortac stuff? Marki , how much B100 have you put thru this type of hose ?Specs listed for this in the online catalogue mention the inner as NITRILE. All research and heresay evidence suggests that nitrile rubber is the LEAST resistant to BD.
Any comments anyone? Leaking/weeping may take many months to become evident.Methanol can't be blamed , its not a problem for most rubber etc.
Now I use hose from young Toyota-import wrecks for upgrading mates' vehicles. Most good BD-proof hose is only obtainable in 50 metre rolls locally ( Oz); maybe a joint hose-buyers group needs forming?

John , Dili

Not long - I've just fitted it. I can't guarantee that it's compatible - it's an educated guess based on its specs. I'll let you know if I see any sign of deterioration.
The bright red looks pretty cool tho'.......

[BIO-CX Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close BIO-CX]

Re: Viton fuel line and McMaster-Carr - BAD

I was wondering why there is nothing like this in the FAQ's or a sticky titled 'fuel line that is compatible with B100 and available in Australia' or something like that.
I've searched here and Googled but it's like not many people have a problem with perished fuel lines. The lines on the old Citroen are now f$#@ed and I checked them a couple of weeks after using the bio and they were not too bad.
It sort of makes me wonder how anyone can sell Bio for $1.30/L and not have any follow up service. I am now plagued by stories of locals that have tried it but wouldn't again.
I know that if I was selling it that I would provide at least one free filter and have fuel line available, and a 'call me if you have any problems'.
I'll still buy it off them because I don't know anyone else making it, and they are quite friendly and it seems like excellent quality bio...but now I'm just pissed off because they shouldn't sell it for so much and I'm out of pocket for extra filters, fuel line and damage to the paintwork.
I signed a disclaimer that mentioned some of these things but there could've been more info supplied I reckon.
-Andy

[Matt Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Matt]

Re: Viton fuel line and McMaster-Carr - BAD

Yes it would look bloody marvelous, no where near as boring as my soon to be black viton or maybe brown or green, in fact that might be the one to get.

If anyone else wants some I found Greaseworks does sell the stuff at a slight mark up, in various sizes too. He emailled me back saying their web site does not yet supprt international orders but call him and he will sort it out, now that is a bit more helpful than McMaster-Carr

Details, give him your business:
Justin Soares
Grease Works
245 SW Cummings Ave.
Corvallis, OR 97333
541-754-1897
Grease Works! :: Biodiesel, SVO & VW Specialists

Not long - I've just fitted it. I can't guarantee that it's compatible - it's an educated guess based on its specs. I'll let you know if I see any sign of deterioration.
The bright red looks pretty cool tho'.......

[tillyfromparadise Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close tillyfromparadise]

Re: Viton fuel line and McMaster-Carr - BAD

One would think any modern fuel line would be biodiesel compatable.
I have read that any fuel line that is "US Coast Guard Approved" is biodiesel compatable.

[Matt Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Matt]

Re: Viton fuel line and McMaster-Carr - BAD

Tilly, yes you would but the doubt over it and my experience with top quality fuel lines andthe inability of the hose manufacturers to become metric leaves me with no option but do it properly.

I have a modern car (2.5 years old) why does it have rubber fuel lines on it? I am becomeing older, more cynical and highly suspicious more and more each day due to industries like the car inductry selling shonky, poorly engineered and unsuitable prducts and this irelates not just to fuel lines. They are a mob of thieving mongrels, just like the oil industry and a few others.

Greed and selfishness will be the end of this world I suspect, so what is the solution to this dilemma?

Grease Works! :: Biodiesel, SVO & VW Specialists run by Justin Soares, he will source and sell viton hose and will ship overseas, his store however does not as yet support overseas orders so get into VOIP and make a cheap phone call, if your really really clever you can use voxalot and bypass most things and start your call in the local district to him for the cost of a few cents. Time to get back at big business I think. Thinking cap on.

Finished ranting and I will go back into my hole.
Matt

[Robert Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close Robert]

Re: Viton fuel line and McMaster-Carr - BAD

Perhaps buying a bunch of these hoses into Oz might be something the ABU could do? If there is enough of an interest, maybe we could get a better deal buying a larger amount from Grease Works and importing them in one hit?

[Matt Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Matt]

Re: Viton fuel line and McMaster-Carr - BAD

Great idea Robert but getting coordination is another matter.

I have placed an order at greaseworks, spoke with Justin personally and he was great to deal with, a few vehicles to benefit from my purchase.

He also suggested a group buy to reduce shipping costs. I think a fair quantity can be shipped for a starting price hence he suggeste this to reduce it for each participant.

I am upping the order a bit too and will talk to him Tuesday am early.

Matt

[BIO-CX Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close BIO-CX]

Re: Viton fuel line and McMaster-Carr - BAD

Good one Matt! This was well found and the info on their website is a push in the right direction to getting the right hose.

I was reading into that site and there was a table relating to the qualities of certain types of rubbers/ elastomers.
What I gathered from that is that teflon lined stainless steel braided hose was equally comparable with viton hose.
From what I could gather, this is widely available in Australia and may cost less than the viton stuff from the U.S.

Here is one example of a place in South Australia that offers a put-it-in-your-trolley ordering system:Hose
Scroll down a little to the Teflon hose which starts at $20 per metre for the '3 size(3mm diameter?).

So what do you all reckon about this? It would look great in any engine bay and if it as durable as the US$15 per feet viton.....and that's before shipping, it could be worth trying. All we need to find out now is if anyone has used this with biodiesel over here. I would like to try it out.

Additionally, it was recommended to me that I could go to a wreckers and pull the metal fuel lines from an early Commodore wreck and used flared nut connections or something or rather. As steel would be compatible with biodiesel indefinitely....this may be a longer term solution!?
Anyone agree with these crazy ideas?
-Andy