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STRBE-~                                        26 September 1990

                                                                          ¼
SUBJECT:   ~uel Advisory Message - Compatibility of JET A-i with
Elastomer Components in Ground Materiel


I.   Recent messages from Operation Desert Shield have identified
reports of JET A-i aviation turbine fuel incompatibility with
fuel-wetted elastomer components  (i.e., leaking, reacting with,
etc)  used in ground materiel systems.

2.   This advisory is intended to provide available information
relative to these complaints and hopefully resolve further concerns
as to this suspected incompatibility problem.

3.   Recent reports of "elastomer component" failures in fuel
injectors and p~lmps of H~WVs and CUCVs and inferences that JET A-l
fuel is responsible or has been a major contributor to this problem
need clarification.   This inference of fuel being the cause
unfortunately is incorrect.   The facts relative to this are as
follows:

     a.  The testing of JP-S/JP-8/JET A-i fuels in diesel tuel
consurning vehicles/equipment has to date never revealed any
e~astomer incomtatibilitv problem attributable to any of these
aviation turbine fuels.   This testing experience includes not only
the many engine dynamometer tests conducted, but also the field
demonstration on-going at Ft. Bliss.

     b.  A reported CUCV fuel injector pump problem occurring in
Panama   (i.e., ~t. Clayton) surfaced in ~Y 1989 with use of the JP-3
being the primary suspect.   This fuel injector pump (Stanadyne
Model D3 2829-42E~) was taken from a CUCV.   Examination of the
failed fuel injector pump revealed that the `1flex ring,on the
"Governor Weight Retainer Assembly" had failed.   This flex ring is
a black non-metallic material  (P/N 22935 being a polyester based
thermoplastic polyurethane) which is affixed to one side of the
Ccvernor Weight Retainer Assembly.   ~ragments of this failed f'e.~
r~ng had lodged in the fuel return line which,  ifl turn, caused
engine power loss,  increased fuel consumption, and excess exhaust
smoke.

     c.  tn subsequent discussions with Stanadyne representatives in
June 1989,  it was revealed that failures of this flex ring
component had been a common problem that they were well aware of.
Newer fuel pumps had apparently been modified by material and
design changes which have eliminated this problem.   tn recent


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