Replacement for Teflon tape

[austin]

Due to the Ethanol problem I read somewhere that E-10 eats the Teflon tape used in sealing the gas shut off valve into the gas tank. I have hunted high and low and can't come up with it. Does anyone remember what it was? I tried Advanced Auto today with no luck. Thanks

[Bruce Adams]

FWIW the yellow teeflon PTFE tape marked as gal line tape is just a color code, not a different item.
I like Permatex Number Two Form a Gasket sealant which is impervious to Ethanol and most other automotive fluids.

[BillLee/Chandler, TX]

Originally Posted by austin

Due to the Ethanol problem I read somewhere that E-10 eats the Teflon tape used in sealing the gas shut off valve into the gas tank. I have hunted high and low and can't come up with it. Does anyone remember what it was? I tried Advanced Auto today with no luck. Thanks

I think your information is wrong. E10 shouldn't have any effect on teflon tape. In fact,

http://www.ethanol.org/index.php?id=55

says that "Pipe thread sealant, when needed, must be Teflon tape or Teflonbased pipe-thread compound"

[CCWKen]

Except for the green and copper, it's the same material but different thicknesses. Here's a run-down on the types of thread sealing tapes.

WHITE - Single density: Should only be used on NPT threads up to 3/8 inch.

YELLOW - Double Density: Yellow double density is often labeled as "Gas type"

RED - Triple Density: (Note-the container is red but the tape itself appears as a pale pink color). Presently required on all joints ½" diameter or greater.

GREEN - Oil Free PTFE tape. Required for use on all lines conveying oxygen (I.E. medical oxygen or welding oxygen lines).

COPPER COLOR - Contains granules of copper and is to be used as a thread lubricant but is not approved as a thread sealant. (Generally it is used as a thread lubricant on bolts or pipe threads for mechanical applications where no physical seal is required.)

PTFE tape is only approved as a thread seal when applied correctly. To apply you begin at the end of the pipe and wrap the tape under tension in the direction of the thread turns. Each successive layer should overlap the previous layer by ½ to 2/3 and continue wrapping until the entire threaded portion of the pipe is covered. (Minimum of 3 full turns).

[Ron in Quincy]

I suggest using Permatex " Aviation Form-A-Gasket Sealant Liquid ", have used it for years with no problems. I use a tooth pick to apply it to the threads, this way I control the amount applied.

Ron

['29wagon]

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

be your own chemist

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polytetrafluoroethylene

i had a friend tell me hearsay, how diving with teflon on your fittings causes noxious nerve gas. u.s. military claimed discovery. no details. must been the nitrogen.

[1931 flamingo]

Ken CT, carb builder on EV8 board says NO to teflon tape. What did henry use? Certainly not teflon tape. JMO
Paul in CT

[austin]

Thanks for all your replies. Because the valve has a "pipe" thread I was concerned with any leakage. Now that I have a SW to my garage I'm able to smell more odors, the roadster is a little "airy". Thanks again

[Glenn C.]

Just keep in mind....Teflon tape is primarily a thread lubricant, to enable you to make-up the threads further. It will find it's way into the damned places where you don't want it. Carb jets etc.

[Bill in NJ]

I bought some of the yellow teflon tape at Home Depot or Lowes. I remember some body saying not to use it on the threads but on the furrel. That is the way I did it and the leak stopped.

[Doug in NJ]

I have noticed that denatured alcohol is one of the few things that does a good job of removing excess Permatex Form-A-Gasket #2 from your fingers.

Nonetheless, I used that stuff when I installed the gas valve on my car, and it has not given me any problems.

I would be uncomfortable using teflon tape because excess bits might end up clogging things. Also, it might be too "slippery", and allow the gas valve to unscrew too easily.

Doug

[d.j. moordigian]

I use Rectorseal now, the aircraft guys I do welding for use it. Pricey at about $ 9.00
for a 4 oz. can, but it does work well. Look it up, read the can.

Dudley

[raprice]

For my money, Permatex No. 2 is the way to go. As Bruce stated, it's impervious to gas.
Rog

[joe plumber]

The yellow teflon tape is not to be used on gasoline lines .It is made for pipe threads that have natural gas flowing through the pipes.If you have use anything on fittings for gasoline ,use Rectoseal #5.Be careful and don't get any on the inside of the fitting as it will plug up your lines and fuel pump and whatever else you have connected in the system.

[joe plumber]

There is a difference between the yellow and white teflon tape .Google yellow teflon tape and read all about it .It isn't just a color code thing .

[joe plumber]

The proper way to apply teflon is to wrap it in the opposite direction of which the fitting or pipe turns when being installed .Skip the first thread and wrap the next threads .If you don't skip the first thread ,the tape will end up inside of the line ,it will get cut off when screwing into the female fitting .When teflon first came out the manufacturers held seminars on the proper way to install it .Most everyone was having problems because it was being applied wrong .

[Ford46]

I agree with d.j. morgigian RectorSeal is the best. Stay away from Teflon. I know many people use it but it is not the best choice. JMHO LouB.

[sturgis 39]

Originally Posted by Bill in NJ

I bought some of the yellow teflon tape at Home Depot or Lowes. I remember some body saying not to use it on the threads but on the furrel. That is the way I did it and the leak stopped.

You do not use tape on compression fittings!

[joe plumber]

Originally Posted by sturgis 39

You do not use tape on compression fittings!

I agree wjth Sturgis 39 ,100%.

[sturgis 39]

Originally Posted by Timothy Kelly

Although I agree that teflon tape was not intended to be used for compression fittings, my experience has been that it works great to stop leaking ferrules.

Often, the cast iron seat in a carburetor or sediment bowl have very minor defects caused due to rust. Further, once ferrules have been used in a specific joint they take the shape of that joint. Then when you try to use the fuel line with a used ferrule on a different carburetor the ferrule may or may not fit well and may or may not make a good seal.

One solution is to remove and replace the ferrule. Doing so can be tricky, because if you nick the line while removing the ferrule, it will be very difficult to get the ferrule to compress into the nick. If you are not careful, removing and replacing the ferrule may make your problem worse, not better.


An effective, even if unorothodox, solution to a leaking ferrule is try wrap a couple of turns of teflon tape around the ferrule before reconnecting the joint. I have done this several times and have never had a failure.

If you are wondering whether or not the teflon you are going to use resists gasoline, tear off a pice and soak it in a glass jar containing gasoline. I have tried this a couple of times with different teflon tape. So far, I have not melted or disolved or softened any piece of teflon.

I disagree with you. I have removed gas line that is taped. The tape has turned clear, is brittle and most of it is gone. If you can remove a ferrule from a gas line the nut has not been tightened correctly. Ferrules and fuel line are relatively cheap compared to a fire.