Leaks! Need help.

shut off return pump, remove strainer or standpipe from inside bulkhead, insert pvc fittings to raise drain above waterline, remove fittins from outside bulkhead and perform repair. on my last project i actually just glued the threaded fittings once i was sure of placement with pvc cement. hth
 
I was thinking about drying the fittings and putting in a bead of silicon around the fitting? But I don't think that will be all that effective. I've tried removing the fitting and reapplying teflon tape and reinstalling the fitting but I can't seem to get it to not leak.... Am I not putting on enough tape or to much tape? You would actually glue the theaded fitting to the bulkhead?
 
Yeah I have resorted to pvc glue on the threads in the past. Can be a little scary on a bulkhead cause you have to saw it off when you need it apart. PVC threads in general are crap. After fighting some big 2" pump inlets a few times I started using the teflon paste rather than the tape. I have no idea why but I have a lot more success with it. Stuff is a mess, and I use way too much then wipe up what I can.

If you let it drip long enough the salt creep will seal it up :)

You might get lucky and seal it with silicon. I don't think it will stick well. My experience has been 9 times out of 10 you just have to start over. Even if you do get it patched up, and are paranoid about your tank like most reefers you will be checking it every 10 minutes for the next 6 months.
 
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<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10743453#post10743453 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Thinslis
I was thinking about drying the fittings and putting in a bead of silicon around the fitting? But I don't think that will be all that effective. I've tried removing the fitting and reapplying teflon tape and reinstalling the fitting but I can't seem to get it to not leak.... Am I not putting on enough tape or to much tape?

I usually go around the fitting about 4-5 times while moving up the threads. You also want to watch the direction that you wind the tape. You want to hold the roll of tape and turn the fitting as if you are screwing it in so the end of the tape will not peel back as it is threaded into the bulkhead. Keep it tight and go around as much as needed to stop the leak. I don't know how much you know about that stuff but that could easily cause a leak.

Found this pic online that might help.

TeflonTape.jpg


I would not glue a fitting into the bulkhead unless you absolutely can't get it to seal. I was making a manifold for my pump output and i was having trouble with a fitting that cracked so I just glued the threads. If you glue it you will have to turn the fitting in pretty fast and then align it perfectly or you will never move it again :)

Silicone is not really a good solution in my opinion.

Hope that helps,
-- Kevin
 
well I just checked again and confirmed that 2 of the three I thought were leaking are not acutally leaking. So the one that IS actually leaking was taped by my stepdad and he might not have put enough tape on or maybe messed something up. I'll remove and retape or try the paste that was suggested.

Thank you!
 
Try using the pink teflon tape that is for plastic fittings. They have it at lowe's. We use dozens of rolls each year and have never had a leak yet. It's thicker and so you only need 2-3 wraps on the male threads. That should permenantly fix the problem. No need to glue threads. I've put together thousands of fittings over the years and found the pink tape to be the best thing. Just don't wrap it too many times or you'll cause stress in the fittings when they screw together and possibly split the female fitting.

Mike
 
silicone is the only way?
bunk.

itZme & Csxno1 are probably on par with most of us that wish the ability to reseal or remove without having to dremel grind parts out of a glass holes.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10750290#post10750290 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Csxno1
Try using the pink teflon tape that is for plastic fittings. They have it at lowe's. We use dozens of rolls each year and have never had a leak yet. It's thicker and so you only need 2-3 wraps on the male threads. That should permenantly fix the problem. No need to glue threads. I've put together thousands of fittings over the years and found the pink tape to be the best thing. Just don't wrap it too many times or you'll cause stress in the fittings when they screw together and possibly split the female fitting.

Mike
I'd go with the pink first, but if you still need something more, I think the yellow teflon tape for gaslines is even thicker.
 
I am having some leak issues also. I think I will try to get someone this pink tape. Is it in the same spot at Lowes? I have never seen it before.
 
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