bulkhead question

[stadler51]

Do you use teflon tape on a threaded bulkhead? I installed 4 and tested for leaks, 2 of them are leaking by the bulkhead nut.

 

[DEERE G]

You should not have to use PTFE tape. Is the gasket under the "nut" side or the other side. It needs to be on the side that does not move as you tighten the nut, not under the nut side. I also prefer to have the gasket on the water side. The nut would then be on the outside to tighten up. HTH

 

[stadler51]

thanks, I just looked at the seal and it has a few pieces of sand on it that I am going to clean off and try again.

 

[Murphs205]

no tape ,, gasket on water side ,,should be good

 

[itZme]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14855351#post14855351 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Murphs205
no tape ,, gasket on water side ,,should be good

That depends on which way your bulkheads are installed. If you have a bulkhead installed with the nut on the inside and you go with the gasket on the inside then the water will seep through the threads and out of the tank. Keith (DEERE G) had it correct when he said to put the gasket on the non-movable side. I call it the "flange" side and the other one I tend to refer to as the "nut" side. If you always use the gasket on the flange side it will seal completely as long as things are clean. You should't have to tighten them much more than hand-tight in order for them to seal. Many people have broken tanks from over tightening bulkheads.

If you meant using tape on the threads of the plumbing on a threaded bulkhead then yes you would want tape where any threaded joint is connected but not on the threads of the outside of the bulkhead.

I made a pic a while ago when somebody asked this question. Let me go dig it up.

 

[stadler51]

I think everything is ok now. I had to take the bulkhead out and clean the seal several different times, but it doesn't seem to be leaking now.