Stewart's74

I've got a freekin leak on my steel fuel line threads that go from the pump to the carb. Can I use Teflon tape? :confused:

Markm10431

noooooooooo :nono:

Stingy74

I'd use the pipe dope stuff. It's got teflon in it and looks like toothpaste.

LAvetteman

Nope, teflon wont hold up to gasoline. If it is a flare connection the flare has to seal the deal.

GrandSportC3

I use a thread sealer that contains teflon...

:cheers:

Olivier

LT1driver

sorry to disagree, i rountinely use it on my carbs about 1/4 was up threads away from end to keep from getting it in fuel line, works for me for over 35 years :cheers:

Scott78

Just as quoted above, flare fittings shouldn't need a sealer. If they leak you need to repair/replace the offending parts. After numerous times of being removed and retightened you can get grooves in the flare that will not seal. My thoughts about gasoline is that it's to volatile to take chances with.


Scott


[Modified by Scott78, 4:59 PM 8/6/2002]

Fevre

On flare fittings even if you use the correct tape, comes in a yellow cont and is yellow, if can leak between the flare fitting and the nut seeping out of the nut/pipe area. You can use the tape on say a barbed non flared fitting going into a pressure regulator or filter. Read the side of the tape cont and it will state what it can be used for. I got my yellow tape at Lowes or Home Depot.


[Modified by Fevre, 5:03 PM 8/6/2002]

MotorHead

I've got some of the yellow gas teflon tape in my fuel line too, works fine :D

tboltkc

I've heard of people using fishing line or some such thing in the fuel connections. What's that about and does that work?

Rockn-Roll

Fishing line is made of teflon...gas will eat it up. If you aren't sure if it's safe, then take two small pieces of the material and set one of them on your work bench and the other one in an open container (like a glass jar) of gas...perhaps a pint jar about 1/2 full and set it next to the other one on the work bench. Let it soak in the gas for a day or two then take the material out and let it dry. If it's in the same condition as the original piece then it's safe. Come back here and let us know what you find.

VegasJen

sure you can.... but it won't do you any good. the steel lines seal by a compression of a flair on the end that is swedged between the fitting and the body of the fuel pump or carburator, whichever end is leaking. the threads don't have anything to do with sealing the fluid other than tightening that compression. check to see if either the flair on the tube is damaged or the seat in the body. if neither of them are damaged, then inspect the line for a crack which will most likely show up in the tube seam.

wow! holy delayed reactions, batman! there was only one response when i replied to this. how does that work???


[Modified by clutchdust, 5:13 PM 8/6/2002]

Schwee

Remember this forever and it will answer a lot of questions:

Teflon tape is a thread lubricant, not a sealant.

The Dude

That having been said, I do use teflon tape on the fuel line to fuel bowl fittings on my Holley. Why? Because those lines are on and off so often that I want to do whatever I can to prevent galling and/or cross-threading in the heat of the moment.

Fevre

Why then is there different types, ie white for water lines and yellow for gas lines if all it does it lubricate? I think it also seals or there would be no reason for the heavier duty yellow type. JMHO

slim

I've seen white teflon tape on the threads of the hose going into the handle at gas pumps.

BB wowbagger

I run Steelbraide teflon hoses to my carb,and the guy at the speedshop told me that TEFLON can be used to allmost all fluids.Breakfluid,coolant,Gasoline,Diese l...Teflon hoses rules. :cheers:
The problem with teflon tape is that small pieces can loosen from it, and clog up the carb,otherwise i see no problem


[Modified by BB wowbagger, 8:44 PM 8/7/2002]

Matt Gruber

i've never used anything on a flare fitting.
But if one was buggered up real bad, i guess some JB Weld would be a temporary fix. i don't see how you could apply tape to the flare without risking a piece of it getting into the carb and plugging it up, or blocking the fuel flow.

once in a while i replace the line with brake line; it has a nice perfect flare; bend to fit; never leaks

SLICKMAN

I have used teflon tape for years on fuel lines and never had any problems. Its the best you can use...... See below; You can view this here http://www.resitape.com/en/overview_mgst.html

PTFE has been used as a seal in critical operations for close on 50 years. It is undoubtedly the material of choice for applications that require totally reliable sealing in any environment, from household water systems to the most aggressive and hazardous chemicals. The properties that make PTFE ideally suited for all sealing applications include:

Its non-wetting non-stick surface is resistant to enzymatic and microbiological attack and does not enable fungal or bacterial growth;
Its chemically pure and inert state gives unmatched resistance to water, gases, solvents, acids, alkalis and other reactive media;
Its lack of leach-able additives ensures no effect whatsoever on process fluids;
Its resistance to cracking and embrittlement even after long-term use;
Its lubricity prevents the binding and sticking of pipes.
Its retention of these properties over a very wide temperature range, from about -240°C to + 260°C
PTFE tapes can be used with all types of pipe, including iron, steel, copper, brass, alloys, plastics and even rubber. The tape is highly pliable so that it embeds in the threads, and remains compliant at high and low temperatures even at high pressure.

A Quality Product

The standard density of unsintered PTFE is 1.5 g/cm3 and this is reduced during the manufacturing process, often as low as 0.3 g/cm3.

By stretching the tape from its original density, improved drape and elasticity is added, thus improving its sealing properties. It must be noted however that PTFE tape is also a permeable fibrous product and that during the stretching process the pores between the fibers are being enlarged. It should be noted that tape performance is determined primarily by the level and balance of tensile strength and elongation between the longitudinal and transverse directions. These factors, along with the combination of thickness and density are crucial to the effectiveness of the tape as a sealant.

Unfortunately, in an effort to reduce costs to satisfy pressures in the distribution chain, much of the tape offered for sale today is stretched excessively and in an unbalanced ratio thus making the product almost unsuitable for the purpose for which it was manufactured. We kindly suggest that all users specify their desire for tapes from quality producers that meet acknowledged international performance standards


[Modified by SLICKMAN, 9:33 PM 8/7/2002]

Matt Gruber

slickman(and anyone using tape on flare fittings)
.
QUESTION
do you put it on:
1. the flare that makes the seal?
2. the nut that tightens the flare?
3. both
4. none

i am curious as to exactly what you are doing



[Modified by Matt Gruber, 9:57 AM 8/8/2002]