Hydraulic thread sealer

Alan57 · Jul 26, 2022

I’m having trouble sealing a threaded hydraulic fitting on my tractor. I’ve tried Teflon tape and it started leaking after a day, so I removed the tape, cleaned it real good and used loctite 545 and again it began leaking after 1 day. Looking for advice has to what I should use to correct this.

Here is a photo of the fittings. I should of included these in yesterdays post.

/pine · Jul 26, 2022

Depending on the type of threads...they may be so deformed they will not seal...NPT threads are really not supposed to be re-used...

hosspuller · Jul 26, 2022

First ... What is the fitting? (some fittings don't seal at the threads.) What kind of threads does the fitting have ? What does the fitting go into ? (Some applications are misapplication and will never satisfactorily seal) Pipe ? other ?

Without that info, no useful advice.

Alan57 · Jul 26, 2022

It’s the male fitting for the wr long 3rd function that allows connection to the grapple.

ericm979 · Jul 27, 2022

Alan57 said:
It’s the male fitting for the wr long 3rd function that allows connection to the grapple.

If it's an NPT fitting then it needs sealant. Otherwise it doesn't. With NPT the threads are the sealing surface but with other types there's an O ring or tapered surface that provides the seal.

If it's NPT then the LocTite 545 should work fine. Clean the threads with solvent (I use spray carb cleaner) to get the oil off,wipe off the solvent and let the remainder evaporate, apply the 545 and tighten appropriately. Then let it cure for a day before you use it.

Tractor hydraulic fittings are mostly fairly large and the NPT ones need significant torque to make a seal. I use long handle wrenches and reef on them pretty hard.

npalen · Jul 27, 2022

I would try many wraps of teflon tape keeping it away at least one thread from the end along with extra torque when tightening. This is assuming it is a tapered pipe thread.

Is there a drying time requirement when using the Loctite?

Let us know of your final success.

Alan57 · Jul 27, 2022

Thank

Iftisam Mulani said:
Please try Adhesives and Sealants from FPE Seals they work the best Vibra-Tite | FPE Seals Ltd

Contact them they will help you out

Thank you, I’ll look into that.

Alan57 · Jul 27, 2022

ericm979 said:
If it's an NPT fitting then it needs sealant. Otherwise it doesn't. With NPT the threads are the sealing surface but with other types there's an O ring or tapered surface that provides the seal.

If it's NPT then the LocTite 545 should work fine. Clean the threads with solvent (I use spray carb cleaner) to get the oil off,wipe off the solvent and let the remainder evaporate, apply the 545 and tighten appropriately. Then let it cure for a day before you use it.

Tractor hydraulic fittings are mostly fairly large and the NPT ones need significant torque to make a seal. I use long handle wrenches and reef on them pretty hard.

Thanks, I did let it set for 24 hrs but maybe I didn’t torque it tight enough.

LD1 · Aug 3, 2022

Did you get it to dry up?

Alan57 · Aug 4, 2022

LD1 said:
Did you get it to dry up?

LD1 said:

Did you get it to dry up?

Click to expand...

I’m not sure, I used some blue monster pipe thread sealant and yellow Teflon tape, starting two to three threads down from pipe opening. This was recommended by a friend who has farmed all his life so I gave it a try. Since doing this I haven’t had a chance to work the tractor yet so it’s just been sitting in the barn. I will post an update after I’ve worked it for a few days, probably the middle of next week.