3 replies to this topic

[ThroatwobblerMangrove]

I recently noticed on my mash tun bulk head that I had a small leak (would drip out a tiny puddle of wort - nothing big). So yesterday I investigated and determined the leak was coming out between the bulk head and the ball valve piece. So I unscrewed it and replaced the teflon tape and now all seems right with the world. So will I just have to do this once a year or something?

[Stout_fan]

Teflon does flow. Also if you twisted the valve, then straightened it that would cause a leak.OTOH, my teflon fittings have no problems.I do have a problem with the cooler wall's foam core compressing causing leaks.I cut a piece of PVC pipe to length matching the inside wall space. Than sliced it into thirds lengthwise.Epoxied the three sections into the cooler foam lining to provide support.Now I can bite down hard on the fittings getting a good seal on the cooler walls.Could this be your problem as well?

[ThroatwobblerMangrove]

Teflon does flow. Also if you twisted the valve, then straightened it that would cause a leak.OTOH, my teflon fittings have no problems.I do have a problem with the cooler wall's foam core compressing causing leaks.I cut a piece of PVC pipe to length matching the inside wall space. Than sliced it into thirds lengthwise.Epoxied the three sections into the cooler foam lining to provide support.Now I can bite down hard on the fittings getting a good seal on the cooler walls.Could this be your problem as well?

It didn't look like it was coming through the cooler wall but maybe...

[davelew]

I recently noticed on my mash tun bulk head that I had a small leak (would drip out a tiny puddle of wort - nothing big). So yesterday I investigated and determined the leak was coming out between the bulk head and the ball valve piece. So I unscrewed it and replaced the teflon tape and now all seems right with the world. So will I just have to do this once a year or something?

Teflon doesn't break down in heat below about 500F, but it does flow as mentioned above. However, in a proper pipe seal, that flow shouldn't matter.In tapered threads like NPT fittings, the teflon tape functions as a lubricant, not as a gap-filler or sealant. If you use a single layer of teflone tape, you should be able to tighten the fitting further than you would without the tape, reducing the gaps between the threads, and preventing leaks.