ORB Leaking...Replaced O-ring...Any Other Hacks?

[BackRoad]

3rd function uses flatface Male and Female Quick Connectors (QCs) with 1/2" nominal port size (-08) O-Ring Boss (ORB) seals.

On the tractor side, the Female QC was dripping sufficiently at the ORB fitting to warrant investigation.

1. Attempted to tighten the ORB fitting: No joy

2. No visually apparent defects with either part of the O-Ring seat.

3. Replaced the O-ring with a new one from NAPA: No joy

4. Tried some hydraulic sealant on the threads, along with the new O-Ring: No joy

5. Swapped the Male and Female QCs to see if problem followed the QC or the O-ring: They both started leaking!

6. Ordered new O-Rings from Discount Hydraulics (thinking NAPA O-ring might have not been 100% sized properly). Replaced both the male and female O-Rings and returned them to the original configuration: Now back to just the Female leaking, not as bad, but still not dry.


So...short of buying a replacement flatface Female QC - and - the O-ring base connector, are there any alternative suggestions or hacks for sealing a leaking ORB connection?

Do they make "super" O-Rings that might be slightly "thicker" than standard (-08) O-Rings?

Is there a thread sealant that works for use with ORB straight threads? (Anyone have success with a careful application of Teflon tape?)

Can an ORB connection be over-tightened or over torqued?

Thanks for any suggestions!

 

[oldnslo]

Does the fitting O-ring fit into the chamfer on the QD? Should not be any O-ring squeezed out between flat surfaces of fitting and QD.

Are these straight fittings or an elbow with jam nut?

If straight I would inspect the fittings to see if there a scratch or groove where th O- ring sits. Check both the fitting and QD chamfer.

If elbow is the O-ring positioned in the space with no threads?

I do not know of non-standard size ORB O-rings. I know they are not a standard size but have used standard size in an emergency.

 

[Threepoint]

Hmm. Not sure I'm correctly visualizing the ORB-portion of the QC you have. (Are you able to post a photo, maybe from the Internet?). I know you say there's no visually-apparent defect, but it might be hard to see if it's just a matter of a clearance being slightly out of tolerance. Are the o-rings that you've been replacing pinched or otherwise deformed when you take them out? If so, that may be the giveaway. Here's a pic of a joystick valve elbow on my NX4510HST/cab a few years back that almost drove me nuts trying different o-rings until I figured out that the captive washer that compressed the o-ring against the boss when the nut was tightened was out of tolerance. The internal diameter was a few thousandths too large, allowing just enough of the o-ring to squeeze between it and the smooth barrel of the fitting just beyond the male threads. And this was an OEM Kioti part. Finally ordered a replacement from Kioti and no leaks since. No amount of hydraulic sealant would have solved this problem!

 

[true temper]

Send a photo of your setup, ORB done correctly never leaks.

 

[LouNY]

I've had good luck with Quad o-rings;
Amazon.com

 

[oldnslo]

Lou
On ORB fittings there is limited space for the O-ring to squeeze into so quad ring may or may not work in this application. On standard O-ring application quad typically will work better

Backroad,
On the quick disconnects is there a 12-15 degree chamfer approx 1/8 deep on the ORB port? If not you need to verify threads and style of fittings you have. This is where pictures would help.

 

[BackRoad]

I'll post some pics tomorrow, when there is better lighting. And thanks for the questions.

 

[true temper]

I've had good luck with Quad o-rings;
Amazon.com

That won’t work with ORB fittings you need the proper Oring.

 

[LouNY]

Amazing, must be I got lucky as that was the cure for one of my leaky ORB fittings.

 

[oldnslo]

Amazing, must be I got lucky as that was the cure for one of my leaky ORB fittings.

As long as the quad ring fits into the allocated space it will work. Concern on ORB seals is the seal material must squeeze into the chamfer. If seal material is squeezed between the port spot face and bottom of fitting it will extrude and leak.

Part of me suspects this is what is happening for back road.

 

[hayden]

Something is wrong here. ORB fittings don't leak as long as they are installed correctly. That's why they are so attractive. If replacing the o-ring didn't fix it then I'd be looking for small fractures or other defects.

 

[true temper]

Something is wrong here. ORB fittings don't leak as long as they are installed correctly. That's why they are so attractive. If replacing the o-ring didn't fix it then I'd be looking for small fractures or other defects.

Or wrong Oring.

 

[BackRoad]

The first pic shows the full set of connectors. The second pic has a probe pointing to where the ORB connection has been leaking.

The leak has been creating a visible trail of fluid, with drips to the ground every 10 to 12 seconds.

Last Friday, I once again wiped down the connectors to remove the leaking fluid before hooking up my snow plow.

I then used the plow for ~20 mins.

Tonight when I went out to take the photos and to disassemble the connector to take photos of the O-ring, chamfer and seat - there was no fluid or evidence of leaking from the 20 mins of snow plowing.


So...I left it as is!

I'll see if any leaking returns after I plow again the next time.

I'm sceptical...though the leaking did not occur this last time I used it...problems don't generally resolve on their own.



After trying to fix this for the last couple of weeks, I finally holler for "Help" and now the issue has disappeared!

I appreciate the thoughtful comments...and I'll try to deal with the embarrassment!

...//Terry

 

[oldnslo]

Backroad
In picture with probe Is the leak between lighter colored hex and disconnect body? If yes look very closely at where fitting mates to disconnect body. Can you see edge of chamfer around the fitting? I have seen a few fittings where hex was turned down and exposed the chamfer causing them to randomly leak.

 

[SPYDERLK]

Strange. Ordinarily orings are the most forgiving of seals. As long as they will fit into the sealing area, touching both sides, and not so oversized as to be extruded in assembly. Then any pressure trying to leak just pushes the gland into better sealing contact. Could it be that you are getting a fiber across the gland during assembly?

 

[BackRoad]

Mr. Oldnslo, the leak has been where the 2 fittings join...at the tip of the probe.

Previously, the O-Rings did not show any visible deformity or obvious indication of failure.

My 66 year old eyes did not find any gouges or rough spots on the metal edges where the O-ring seats.

If it returns, I will disassemble and get some close up photos of how the O-ring is seating on the fitting, and both connector ends...maybe an enlargement of the photos will show something.

Worst case is to replace the fittings...but hate to throw $$$ away!

 

[Kerfguy]

My first post! Been lurking for a while.
I had a similar problem and found using a higher durometer o-ring solved the problem. I ordered Gates brand from my dealer.

 

[LD1]

IS it still leak free?

 

[Kerfguy]

IS it still leak free?

It was maybe ten years ago and I don’t have the JD301A anymore.

 

[LD1]

It was maybe ten years ago and I don’t have the JD301A anymore.

I guess I should have specified....

My question was for the original poster of this thread