I've tried Googling , but there's all kinds of different opinions , and certainly no definite agreement . Vaseline ? .... generally reckoned to be a no - no . Engine oil ? Red grease ? Silicone grease ? ..... probably the most widely recommended Spit ? ( ..... let's not get started with other bodily fluids please ) Can anyone offer advice ?
https://www.polymax.co.uk/silicone-oring-grease-4g I get all my o rings and lubricating grease from here. Steve
It depends on what the O-ring material is and where they are used......Viton, Rubber, Silicone etc etc.....
Yes .... that's a very good point and it probably explains the many differences of opinion that I've seen ( although none that I've read make the link between O ring material and recommended grease ) . In this particular case it's the large green O ring that seals the flange on the bottom of the fuel tank . Most black O rings are made of Viton , which is fairly hard . This one is softer , which makes me think it's made of something else . FWIW - Haynes manual recommends silicone spray ( which I don't have ) [ Ducati factory manual doesn't say diddley-squat about it ]
Thanks for that ! Good to know .... .... not least because I recently bought new fork seals , and they came with a good portion of the red stuff ! Even though I now know it's not the right lubricant ..... I'm certain that I've got a tube of silicone grease somewhere , but I just can't find it ..... been looking all day , on and off . For me , that is one of the most annoying feelings in the world !
I’ve used red rubber grease on the pump o-rings for years. As mentioned, different seals and applications call for different grease in some cases, but for your task in hand, the red stuff is ideal. Smear the tank opening as well, not just the ring.
Imho, the lubrication required here is simply to enable the o ring to remain undamaged and in situ, as the flange is inserted into the tank, so virtually any grease or vaseline, even engine or gear oil should do the job.
