DIESEL LEAKING FROM CONNECTION OUTSIDE OF VAN HEATER
Dougwe said
09:57 AM Oct 29, 2016
How, all,
Not me but someone is set up near me with a diesel heater in their van and under the outside tank where the threaded section that the hose connects to then the other end to heater is leaking diesel. What are the thoughts of using that plunbers teflon thread tape to stop leak OR has nanyone had that problem and what did you do?
While writing that, I thought we had better check the inside end as well, just in case.
OH! The fitting is tight, that was first thing checked.
Keep Safe on the roads and out there.
elliemike said
10:55 AM Oct 29, 2016
If it is like mine the fitting is a Compression type that has either Fibre or compression metal washers (Red Type or soft ally type.) for sealing. From memory mine is this type shown in the picture.
You might seal it with thread Tape or Soft Teflon Paste. But as this fitting is not a "Tapered Thread" Fittings you get no proper seal on the threaded parts. Try making a "Grommet " Washer from a length of Thread tape. That might solve the problem temporarily
P.S. Get a clean container ready (Bucket, Bowl, Can) capable of holding the contents of the tank, that will fit underneath. Take the outlet pipe off the barbed fitting. The Diesel will drain slowly as the hole is small. Be careful when removing the Barbed Nut as the male thread is fitted from inside the tank. Don't let it slip back into the tank when fitting the new seal.
-- Edited by elliemike on Saturday 29th of October 2016 12:50:06 PM
-- Edited by elliemike on Saturday 29th of October 2016 12:51:00 PM
macka17 said
11:47 AM Oct 29, 2016
They 90% of time. Compression joints as said.
Go to Repco. Supercheap etc with fitting.
Plug hole with whittled down wine cork or something.
get a couple of fibre washers to suit. and reinstall.
After coupla days. nip it up.
The fibre will have absorbed some diesel and may just need a crimp.
Dougwe said
06:39 PM Oct 29, 2016
Thanks for the info so far. Silly me should have put a pic up of the problem area, so here it is.
It looks to me as though it should have originally had a soft washer, or gasket, between the metal fitting and the plastic tank
One trick that may temporary stop the leak until your friend can get hold of, or make a washer
Is to roll up some thread or plumbers tape as per the picture (to make what looks like a piece of string)
Loosen off the hose clamp
Loosen the metal fitting about two full turns
Place the thread or plumbers tape (clockwise or same direction as tightening metal fitting on thread) in the gap between the metal fitting and plastic tank
Completely fill the gap with rolled up thread or plumbers tape
While keeping the thread or plumbers tape tight, tighten the metal fitting. and then tighten the hose clamp
If it is leaking from the thread then it will depend of the integrity of the plastic moulding.
Your neighbor may find that using some jointing paste may be more successful than tape.
Jointing paste may fill any voids that would be in the plastic moulding
Looking at the photo I was wondering if the firtting had been leaking from the time of installation or has it just started to leak?
If it has just started to leak it may be because the fitting has been struck by a stone or similar while travelling and if this is the case the tank may need replacing.
Hard to say without seeing it in the flesh.....
Dougwe said
09:46 AM Oct 30, 2016
Thanks for the ideas so far everyone, some ideas to try out there.
Geoff, "in the flesh" that sounds scarey. If you saw the bloke you would know what I mean
Dougwe said
07:03 PM Oct 31, 2016
Well, job done with pink tape on two joins so time will tell now but so far so good. If that doesn't work something else will be tried.
Aus-Kiwi said
07:25 PM Oct 31, 2016
I carry various O rings . Surprised how often it gets people out of trouble ..
How, all,
Not me but someone is set up near me with a diesel heater in their van and under the outside tank where the threaded section that the hose connects to then the other end to heater is leaking diesel. What are the thoughts of using that plunbers teflon thread tape to stop leak OR has nanyone had that problem and what did you do?
While writing that, I thought we had better check the inside end as well, just in case.
OH! The fitting is tight, that was first thing checked.
Keep Safe on the roads and out there.
If it is like mine the fitting is a Compression type that has either Fibre or compression metal washers (Red Type or soft ally type.) for sealing. From memory mine is this type shown in the picture.
You might seal it with thread Tape or Soft Teflon Paste. But as this fitting is not a "Tapered Thread" Fittings you get no proper seal on the threaded parts. Try making a "Grommet " Washer from a length of Thread tape. That might solve the problem temporarily
P.S. Get a clean container ready (Bucket, Bowl, Can) capable of holding the contents of the tank, that will fit underneath. Take the outlet pipe off the barbed fitting. The Diesel will drain slowly as the hole is small. Be careful when removing the Barbed Nut as the male thread is fitted from inside the tank. Don't let it slip back into the tank when fitting the new seal.
-- Edited by elliemike on Saturday 29th of October 2016 12:50:06 PM
-- Edited by elliemike on Saturday 29th of October 2016 12:51:00 PM
Go to Repco. Supercheap etc with fitting.
Plug hole with whittled down wine cork or something.
get a couple of fibre washers to suit. and reinstall.
After coupla days. nip it up.
The fibre will have absorbed some diesel and may just need a crimp.
Thanks for the info so far. Silly me should have put a pic up of the problem area, so here it is.
Lightened up a little Doug.
Aussie Paul.
Hello Doug
It looks to me as though it should have originally had a soft washer, or gasket, between the metal fitting and the plastic tank
One trick that may temporary stop the leak until your friend can get hold of, or make a washer
Is to roll up some thread or plumbers tape as per the picture (to make what looks like a piece of string)
Loosen off the hose clamp
Loosen the metal fitting about two full turns
Place the thread or plumbers tape (clockwise or same direction as tightening metal fitting on thread) in the gap between the metal fitting and plastic tank
Completely fill the gap with rolled up thread or plumbers tape
While keeping the thread or plumbers tape tight, tighten the metal fitting. and then tighten the hose clamp
Hope that this info is useful
Your neighbor may find that using some jointing paste may be more successful than tape.
Jointing paste may fill any voids that would be in the plastic moulding
www.autobarn.com.au/stag-jointing-paste-200-gram-tube-sg200
Looking at the photo I was wondering if the firtting had been leaking from the time of installation or has it just started to leak?
If it has just started to leak it may be because the fitting has been struck by a stone or similar while travelling and if this is the case the tank may need replacing.
Hard to say without seeing it in the flesh.....
Thanks for the ideas so far everyone, some ideas to try out there.
Geoff, "in the flesh" that sounds scarey. If you saw the bloke you would know what I mean