Whats the trick to hooking up hydraulics and not having leaks

[shogan]

It seems all my threaded fittings are leaking. Guy at NAPA said not to use Teflon tape or plumbers puddy as it can wreck the hydraulic pump.

So what's the trick?

 

[Blaneypark]

Plumbers putty is for setting sink drains. Teflon tape could get into the system if you didn't apply it correctly. Pipe dope has worked the best for me.

 

[Gary Fowler]

There is nothing wrong with using Teflon tape when applied correctly. Start at the tip of the male threads and wrap up toward the top then back down to the tip and break it off. Wrap in the direction of the threads (if you are looking into the hose, it is clockwise) Don't let the tape overlap the end so nothing gets into the hydraulic hose. The only issue to watch for is if you remove a connection that has used Teflon, you need to clean the male AND the female connections very good to remove all the pieces of Teflon.

A Teflon paste is best thing for inexperienced folks to use but make sure it is recommended for liquid hydrocarbon service. It doesn't take much to lubricate the threads so you can get a good seal.
One thing to NOT do is over tighten. If you tighten too much, you can damage the threads and the joint will leak regardless of the type of thread dope you use. If you use an end wrench just use moderate pressure to tighten at first. If it leaks, tighten another 1/4 turn at a time till leak stops. After a bit of experience, you will know just about the right amount of force needed to tighten the joint correctly the first time.

 

[murphy1244]

Plumbers putty is for setting sink drains. Teflon tape could get into the system if you didn't apply it correctly. Pipe dope has worked the best for me.

I use a pipe dope with Teflon. The problem with tape is you have to be careful not to get any in the system. We used tape at work on hydraulics for years.

 

[Gary Fowler]

By the way, the pipe dope doesn't seal the thread, it just lubricates the threads so they tighten without galling. You have to have good threads for a joint to not leak regardless of the thread lubricant used.

I have seen folks put thread lubricant on everything from a compression fitting to oxygen/acetylene gauges when the threads on those things don't seal anything.

 

[EONE]

If the fittings are good they should not need anything.

 

[woodlandfarms]

I wish someone would publish the correct way to put on pipe tape. Gary says two wraps, I have heard never exceed one layer... some people say 3 or 4 is fine.

 

[Billrog]

How many wraps most likely depends what your applying it to PVC or metal. I have many different compounds for sealing pipe but found on many Hydraulic fittings 3 wraps with any Teflon tape applied carefully as to not have any where it can enter the system will stop leaks. The reason I use it is I can get right back to work with many of the compounds you should let it set for a period of time ( what ever it says in the instructions).
The reason for 3 wraps on PVC is because the threads are tapered and you can split fittings by over doing it when you tighten them. I realize PVC has nothing to do with the question just added info.

 

[shogan]

Yeah I meant paste no puddy. Probably over tightened one at this point. I'll replace that one and apply Teflon paste suitable for hydrocarbons to the all.

Thanks for the information.

 

[newbury]

The real trick is in the hydraulic fluid.

DON'T put any fluid in and you'll never see a leak.