Thread Sealant (with Teflon) for my hydraulic connection

[oldnslo]

I gave up on this argument years ago.

Like anything else, if applied correctly, it's OK. If not, it may be problematic.

I use tape successfully, have for years. The rest of you can do as you please.

+ 1 works good when applied correctly just like any other thread sealant.

 

[J_J]

I believe the problem is not the use of the tape, it is the removal of the fitting at some time, and not cleaning all the Teflon residue from the threads, on both fittings. I have always wrapped one thread up on the fitting.

They say leak free, guaranteed, using the below seals.

Flaretite Seals - Clip the Drip!

Watch the video.

 

[20 20]

I noticed a couple of post that said the tape is there to provide a lubricant,.,.,.,. then why not just use a little grease

 

[/pine]

I believe the problem is not the use of the tape, it is the removal of the fitting at some time, and not cleaning all the Teflon residue from the threads...

A very good point...!

then why not just use a little grease

before there was tape a lot of mechanics did use grease...lots of repairs, hose replacements are/were made in the field and that's all thats available...

 

[Jay4200]

I noticed a couple of post that said the tape is there to provide a lubricant,.,.,.,. then why not just use a little grease

Because the 'lubricant' story is not true, but I'm not one to argue. Tape and/or dope IS a sealant. The primary seal comes at the bottom of the thread (red), preventing a spiral leak.

Incidentally, I just called my local tractor shop and they use Teflon tape exclusively when they do NPT threads (although they said that they typically try to only use SAE O-ring fittings) - so I'm 2 for 2 on the tape with the local hydraulic guys.

I've just seen SO many leaky plumbing fittings using straight pipe dope, and that's with 60PSI, but never had a leak using tape. Even gas lines leak sometimes (only when the "pros" put it together) and that's with 1/2PSI. Holding back 3000PSI...I dunno.

Contaminating the innards of the system with tape debris IS a real concern, however, but I would assume that as long as you leave the first thread clear, it shouldn't be a problem. Both my tractor and snowblower have all of the existing fittings done with white Teflon tape. Maybe yellow (gas) tape would be better? Its the same stuff as the white, but made to eliminate shredding during assembly - they probably use a cross-weave or something when they make it. I was primarily concerned with the statements that hydraulic fluid dissolves Teflon tape - evidently that is not accurate.

JayC

 

[wdchyd]

Because the 'lubricant' story is not true, but I'm not one to argue. Tape and/or dope IS a sealant. The primary seal comes at the bottom of the thread (red), preventing a spiral leak.

Incidentally, I just called my local tractor shop and they use Teflon tape exclusively when they do NPT threads (although they said that they typically try to only use SAE O-ring fittings) - so I'm 2 for 2 on the tape with the local hydraulic guys.


JayC

What makes it "Not True"?......Thread seal tape - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

State your case.......

 

[Jay4200]

What makes it "Not True"?

The fact that tape does provide a seal in an area that would be a leak without it.

JayC

 

[20 20]

I did a quick search about using teflon tape on hydraulic fitting's, didn't really find much. I did however find one incident where the use of teflon tape on a hydraulic system caused a death{could have been more}. It had been used on a plane, a piece worked its way into places where it shouldn't have been causing the plane to crash. I'm not saying we're flying our tractors, but I'd rather use the correct stuff instead of have major down time and/or expensive fixes. I also noticed more say NO then yes to the use of teflon tape. Chances are it will probably work, but if it were me why not use the product that will work compared to the one that is a chance??????

 

[/pine]

The fact that tape does provide a seal in an area that would be a leak without it.

the only thing "factual" about a leaky (tapered thread) joint is that it was not properly tightened...

 

[mmurphy]

I believe the problem is not the use of the tape, it is the removal of the fitting at some time, and not cleaning all the Teflon residue from the threads, on both fittings. I have always wrapped one thread up on the fitting.

They say leak free, guaranteed, using the below seals.

Flaretite Seals - Clip the Drip!

Watch the video.

Sounds logical, JJ.... I would have liked to had some of them seals when I worked around boilers, to see how good they are. Steam and very hot water seems to be the hardest to seal.