newbie question

When constructing your WC loop, should you use teflon tape on the fittings, or no?

If it is a barbed or the connection/connector has a rubber O-ring probably not. For screwing in adapters or fittings that use a tapered style pipe joint that uses "interference" fit to seal, likely yes.

So tapered pipe threads yes, G4 style and on the barb side of barbed fittings no.

Note this is just based on my general knowledge of plumbing and experience with this kind of stuff. Please feel free to comment if you think otherwise. I have never thought to use the stuff as I have never had an issue because (apparently) my love of high quality clamps and testing all connections for tightness and proper mating have never lead to having a leak issue. I might just be lucky.

On the other hand if the use of the tape does not prevent the O-rings from seating etc. I don't see any harm either.

I will further add that regardless, a good long leak test of the finished loop is absolutely critical even if you weld the thing together.

Yeah I didn't mean on the barbs, heh.

I'm going to be using all compression fittings, and was just wondering if the tape was needed on the G1/4 thread between the fitting and the block/pump/rad/etc. But if they all have o-rings (didn't know that) then that pretty much answers it for me.

plumbers puddy is better and can be used with most oils along with water systems....
http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?actio...74D&lpage=none

I have compression fittings in my system and have never used any kind of thread tape at all. Most have a little oring recessed into the back of the fitting that seals when you tighten it down.

I'm not sure I'd want plumbers putty floating around in my loop. Seems like it could collect in important places like pumps and blocks and cause problems.

Most people don't use teflon tape, but there are a bunch of people on xs or oc that will tell you that it is a must. Teflon tape is cheap and there's no reason you shouldn't use it on threaded fittings. Always better to have that additional safeguard, especially when it costs next to nothing.

Originally Posted by punkrockpolak

Most people don't use teflon tape, but there are a bunch of people on xs or oc that will tell you that it is a must. Teflon tape is cheap and there's no reason you shouldn't use it on threaded fittings. Always better to have that additional safeguard, especially when it costs next to nothing.

That there is exactly why I asked, hehe. We have heaps of the stuff at work (sewer treatment plant), so I could probably take as much as I wanted without anyone caring.

As you said, I'll probably put a lil on there just for extra safety.

Just got all my fittings today, and seeing how tightly they mate with that rubber o-ring in there, I don't think I'm going to bother with teflon. Plus the threads are so short it would be annoying trying not to have extra teflon hanging off the threads, heh.

Teflon is only useful for plastic threads, without O rings...

I've never once had a leak with an O ring fitting - but plastic barbs are a different beast altogether.

Sure, it's another layer of protection for metal barbs - but it's added hassle IMO that accomplishes very little.