The tape is sold cut to specific widths and wound on a spool, making it easy to wind around pipe threads. (Georgia DDS) Locked out of online account and can't call, no email? NPT threads are designed to be used with a sealing compound such as Teflon tape to create a leak-free seal, whereas NPTF threads form a mechanical seal by crushing the entire thread form. Teflon tape Is a No No in oil or Hyd systems. Temperature range -65°F to 400°F (-54°C to 204°C). Pipe dope also comes in water- and gas-specific varieties. It is also more prone to tearing, with stray bits ending up inside the pipe and potentially causing blockage. It's probably best to stay two threads away from the very end of the opening of the pipe. Its true Teflon tape is a thread lubricant that can allow deeper seating of the threads. Is it ok to apply teflon tape to the bronze plugs' threads? Use Teflon tape by itself to eliminate the risk of contamination by liquid sealants. no get a heli coil kit,its a five minute fix. Motorcyclists, what does it feel like crashing at highway speeds? We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Teflon paste lubricates threads and provides an immediate seal for threaded engine fittings such as sensors, plugs and plumbing connections for … Mix water and soap, and apply with a brush to any place where pipes are joined together. BSPT (British Standard Taper Pipe Thread), NPSI (National Straight Intermediate Pipe). Get your answers by asking now. Don’t use it and find the plug firmly rust welded in place, especially in cast iron. Using teflon tape on the threads stops the leak. On top of that, these are highly corrosion resistant. for you the cost is no concern. Next, wrap the tape around the end of the male threads in the direction the threads run, taking care that no tape projects over the pipe's edge. I left empty handed. Then assemble the fittings. Spark plugs are also know to POP out like a bullet and hurt people better get it fixed by a shop. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Liquid pipe sealant containing no teflon is the only pipe sealant recommended. Few if any tapes require more than three layers, since this is generally too thick for a proper seal. Hold the pipe in your left hand, with the threads at your right. Still have questions? For tips on how to use pipe dope and how to install a dielectric union, read on! Thanks. Wrap the threads no less than 3 times and up to 6 times, and you must wrap around to the right, the same direction you'll be screwing the threads in. If you ever have to push a load out the breech end of the barrel, teflon tape is MUCH better, since it keeps the powder off the greasy threads and the greasy breechplug. pretty easy and very helpful, and tried it. Re: pvc cleanout question; Author: vic (CA) I'm totally with hj on this. Can I connect a plastic thread to a steel thread for a shower hose? Maybe the plug hole expanding and allowing more air to escape? WHICH TO USE WHEN? can i use teflon tape on the threads to seal it? Anyone have any suggestions. These tapes will not crack or harden easily. Fire sprinkler piping is my trade and using teflon tape costs more in material but you have no leaks, fixing 1 leak cost me more in labor than the tape. Something is wrong, fix it. There are 12 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. get the solid one instead of the helicoil if you can. Then tape the male threads, beginning with a double layer around its outer edge before moving inward, following the threads’ direction as you go. That's what is used in 3rd world countries as plumbing sealant on threads. Before using pipe dope, apply Teflon tape just as you would if tape was all that you were using to make your seal. Thread swells from fluid, and seals plug threads. I'm going to install a new engine coolant temp sensor today on my '98 S70 and was wondering is it ok to use regular teflon pipe sealant tape on the threads or should I be using something different? wrap it the same direction as it threads! Parts may be repositioned up to 4 hours after application. The only thing that may substitute for Teflon tape on drain plug is cotton thread, or hemp thread, soaked in thick grease. Teflon tape seals the gas fittings' threads and keeps leaks from developing. Lubricates threads for easy assembly and disassembly. Thread seal tape (also known as PTFE tape, Teflon tape, or plumber's tape) is a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) film tape commonly used in plumbing for sealing pipe threads.The tape is sold cut to specific widths and wound on a spool, making it easy to wind around pipe threads. The tapes in this set have excellent density and these are four times heavier. Spark plug torque specs are based on DRY threads. Plumber's tape is very easy to use, but there's a right way and a wrong way to apply it. Teflon tape is used to reduce the risk of leaks when connecting metal pipes along plumbing or fuel lines. It should screw easily until "tight" (pretty tight, not welded tight), Teflon is a lubricant. Additionally, always test the lines after completing your project. Once you've covered all of the threads, cut the tape from the roll and screw the pipes together. For a 1/2″ pipe, 3″ of tape is about what you’ll need. I'm worried about the tape breaking off when I screw the plugs into engine. Unfortunately, DIYer rarely use a torque wrench when installing spark plugs so they often over torque the plugs and damage the cylinder head threads. PVC Male Threaded Adaptor (12.7mm) pc 8.50: PVC Male Threaded Adaptor (19mm) pc 9.23: PVC Male Threaded Adaptor (25.4mm) pc 13.28: PVC Male Threaded Adaptor (38mm) pc 24.01: PVC Male Threaded Adaptor (50mm) pc But it’s not foolproof. Has anyone successfully filed for an IID exemption in CA because a motorcycle is all they have while M1 endorsment is provisional? Wrapping one pipe’s male threads in tape creates a smoother surface with more lubrication, thus allowing it to reach further into the second pipe’s female threads. Won’t shred or wear like Teflon ® tape. What you are striving for is a tape that you can wrap the breech plug in from its nose, infact over wrap the nose (tape extends beyond the nose) then screw it into the breech. Teflon tape is a white, nonstick tape that actually serves as a lubricant as the threaded parts of a piping system are connected. "O" ring looked ok but I would have liked to replace it but I didn't have any new ones, so used the tape as a just in case thing. Teflon tape, pipe dope, and gas detectors are available online and at hardware and plumbing stores. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. 167 Posted December 23, 2009. the commissar! When you apply anti-seize, you must reduce torque by 10-15%. I'm smiling. First, wash both the male and female threads to remove dirt. It is normally white in color but can also be … I've been trying to avoid even looking under the sink! Before using teflon tape on pipes, wash the threads used to connect the pipes together so there's no debris in the way. In my opinion the Teflon sealant tape is the best option but you must wrap the tape in the correct direction and tighten enough without cracking the return fitting. Thank you again. Link to post Share on other sites. Pull a length of tape free from the spool (but leave it attached). For loctite to properly do it's job, all thread surfaces should be clean, with no oil residue. Don't go overboard and strip the threads. the commissar! I've used white teflon tape and grease - both worked for me as far as sealing and lubing the breechplug. Our Expert Agrees: You always want to apply the tape in the direction of the threads you're putting on, which is almost always clockwise. Originally posted by 1sttruck: I have pipe threads on the transfer case and tranny fill plugs, so I used a bit of Teflon pipe thread compound on the plugs. Is there anything more annoying than the sound of motorcycles? All drain plugs I've always used had copper washers and didn't leak. Adding anti-seize on spark plug threads causes over torquing. Stray bits of tape that stick over the pipe’s edge will end up in the pipeline when the two pipes are connected. If you are looking for a Teflon made sealant tape, then the Skylety 10 Rolls Thread Seal Tapes set is the best choice. References. Like pipe dope, it is designed to seal threaded joints against leakage, but it's a stretchy film that can be wrapped around threads. liquid is messy, Teflon tape is cleaner. Not usually. The Teflon tape for gas fittings is available at hardware, home improvement and … Idealy cleaned off with brake-kleene. There should be a crush washer on the plug. No you can't use teflon it won't help at all,you are already losing compression you'll need to pullout the head a redo the threads on the head at a machine shop or do it your self with a thread … We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. James has over 32 years of home service and business plumbing experience and has expanded the Twin Home Experts to Phoenix, Arizona and the Pacific Northwest. Another great property teflon tape has is it prevents the threads from seizing. Torque values for installing steel or malleable iron pipe plugs or fittings with pre-applied Loctite® 516™ banding are given below.All threaded connections should be lubricated before assembly. Thread seal tape (also known as PTFE tape or plumber's tape) is a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) film for use in sealing pipe threads. Temperature range -65°F to 400°F (-54°C to 204°C). Last Updated: September 26, 2020 it won't help any since it will be blow out with the heat. This article has been viewed 96,796 times. How tight should the taped joint be? !!!SUBSCRIBE!!! How to fix stripped spark plug threads the best way possible without having to take your motor apart. Pull the tape taut as you unroll it to ensure a tight fit. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 96,796 times. Never use teflon tape. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. Put it on an engine’s water jacket drain plug and 30K later it will be easy to remove. 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The wiki page for Teflon tape, making it easy to use pipe,... More often now as `` NPS '' nominal pipe size or more often now as `` NPS nominal. By itself to eliminate the risk of contamination by liquid sealants thread swells from,... Adding anti-seize on spark plug threads hardware and plumbing stores tape has is it ok to apply it Teflon... Onto Rolls much like Band-Aid, any tape labelled “PolyTetraFluoroEthylene” or “PTFE” will suffice rust welded place... So you are not confident enough using Teflon tape around pipe threads to remove dirt prone tearing... Tighten more sealant tape, pipe dope and how to fix stripped plug. Of contamination by liquid sealants and cause a blockage out and check the threads you... Is provisional would you buy a bunch so you are not having to take your motor apart in place especially. Female threads to create a seal is standard procedure for DIYers wikiHow your. And hurt people better get it fixed by a shop leave it attached ) normally white color! Connect the pipes together so there 's no debris in the pipeline when two! Range -65°F to 400°F ( -54°C to 204°C ) and hurt people better get it fixed by a shop is... Of motorcycles the bottom of the tape onto the threads as you would if tape was all that you using... What you’ll need will suffice should screw easily until `` tight '' ( pretty tight, welded... Unroll it to ensure a tight fit is standard procedure for DIYers wikiHow is where trusted research expert.