Abstract: A method and apparatus for the diversion of fluid flow at reduced pressure out of a high pressure fluid delivery system when the discharge of the system is closed. A bypass valve having a movable piston oriented transverse to the flow direction and a slidable seal oriented parallel to the flow direction is located between the system pump and discharge. The movable piston has two working surfaces of different areas which define planes parallel to the flow direction so that the working surfaces and therewith the piston are generally responsive only to static fluid pressure. The slidable seal is responsive to dynamic fluid pressure so that when the discharge is closed and the dynamic fluid pressure thereby reduced, the seal moves to interrupt fluid communication between the two working surfaces of the piston.