sealing tape

[joeh]

hi all
is normal white household plumbing sealing tape (PTFE ?) suitable for applying onto threads of a diesel line fitting ? or are there alternatives ? thk u.

 

[PeterGibbs]

Pretty sure you're right - PTFE is not suitable for jobs coming into contact with fuel. Any oil derivative is likely to dissolve or deteriorate in the present of fuel.

My recollection is that fuel connections (if this is what you have in mind) are made dry with copper washers providing the seal (annealed if necessary)

PWG

 

[rogerdog]

It depends - PTFE will only slightly swell in the presence of diesel but is suitable for sealing - BUT if any bits get into the system will play havoc with injectors etc. the first thing does it NEED taping -what I mean is most fuel line couplings are either tapered or use a washer of some sort - the seal's on these and not the thread -hence no need to tape.

 

[vyv_cox]

It is bad practice to use PTFE tape on fuel line connections. Bits of tape come off all too easily and will block injectors and even small diameter fuel pipes. If you must use a sealant make it one of the liquid ones. Liquid PTFE is superb stuff and suffers none of these problems. However, you shouldn't need any sealant, so if you do investigate why.

 

[Bodach na mara]

PTFE is not actually a "sealing" tape, more of a lubricant. It does have a stuffing effect, but is usually restricted to use in situations involving water. For fuel oil, Hylomar is the stuff, but use sparingly. For gas, it is Calortite, again used sparingly.