Vasoline petro use

[curt93t/t]

The manual says to ensure you do not let engine oil or other greases to adhere to the o-ring that is on the inlet pipe. I'm sure due to the fact that anti-freeze and oil doesn't mix well. Vasoline is petroleum based and we use it to lubricate seals on fighters to help seating without rolling or tearing. In the past I've just dipped the seal in anti-freeze but wondering if Vasoline would be good. Not talking the liquid crap, the thick stuff.

[stealthee]

I remember reading in the past that Vasoline is bad for orings. I can cause them to swell and such. They make a silicone grease specifically for orings. I use some at work for the pumps I rebuild. Any kind of silicone grease for plumbing would be what you want.

[anyonebutme]

O rings can be made of many materials, and that will determine the grease you use to lube them. Cars usually use whatever is cheapest for that application, probably Buna-N rubber, petroleum products tend to break them down chemically over time. In the aerospace industry you'll see more synthetic O rings like viton or better yet fluorosilicones that will resist just about everything.

[AdamVR4]

General rule of thumb: if you're using silicone orings, use petroleum based lube. If you're using buna o-rings, use a silicone lubricant . Silicone lube will swell silicone o-rings and petroleum lube will swell and break down buna rubber o-rings.

Dow corning sells a line of silicone lubes (molykote 55, 111, etc) that are perfect for Buna o-rings.

[j2k4]

I occasionally resort to spit.