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Definitive guide to o-ring / seal lubrication?

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MTribe

MTribe

Jedi Hopeful
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Does anyone have definitive guidelines for:

- a list of o-ring and seal materials and which lubrication to use with each?

- how to determine o-ring and seal material? (or a list of typical materials for common o-rings and seals on our cars)

I got a packet of red grease with a brake master cylinder rebuild kit, and it warns if you use anything else it'll attack the seal. But it doesn't say what type of grease it is. Now I'm rebuilding carburetors and wondering what type of lubrication to use on the o-ring sealing the jet housing to the fuel bowl (the brass plug that goes into the bottom of the bowl).

If we can get some input going I'll summarize everything in a list at the top of this post.

Thanks for helping me sort this out!
 
I've never considered it necessary to lubricate that O-ring as the only movement it sees is when you put it in place. I believe that the gasoline would act as a solvent and wash away any if you did use a lube to reduce friction for the initial installation.
One of my favorite O-Ring/bushing lubes for some but not all applications especially under pressure and heat,excluding in volitile solvents is Dow Corning 111.
 
There are lots of good on-line guides to O-ring compatibility; but of course you need to know what material your O-rings are made from. Here's a simple list of materials
https://www.epm.com/material_guide.htm
and here's a good guide to compatibility
https://www.efunda.com/DesignStandards/oring/oring_chemical.cfm

Personally, I'd just smear a little silicone grease on it and let it go at that. DC 111 is an excellent example; but mine is some other brand (sold at Home Depot as valve stem lube).
 
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