Radiator is leaking at the tail piece part of valve

[New2DIYing]

Hi guys

My radiator I just put up is leaking at the tail piece (please see pics below). Today I drained the radiator and ensured that both tail pieces were tightly screwed in to the extent they would not turn any further. I was hoping this would have sorted the issue as there was a bit of tightening to do.

However I put the radiator back up and the leak is still there... How can I fix this? I am planning on trying again tomorrow but this time reapplying the PTFE tape or even using some plumbers mait?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

PICS:

 

[seco services]

More likely not done enough turns with the ptfe need a good 10 turns.

 

[mogget]

As an aside, you don't need to put ptfe on the thread of a compression fitting (other end of the rad valve). If it leaks after tightening, a little ptfe or jointing compound on the olive can help.

You need more ptfe than you might think on radiator tails.

 

[Slugbabydotcom]

Sometimes the thread is faulty. Bad casting, impurities in the metal, seam cracks, welding faults and leaks running down from higher up are all situations I have encountered. So after trying more PTFE look into these possibilities.

 

[New2DIYing]

More likely not done enough turns with the ptfe need a good 10 turns.

Do you mean it needs more PTFE tape? i.e. around 10 wraps? Or not enough turns when tightening it?

Thanks!

 

[rego]

yes more ptfe. i always have 12 wraps

 

[rjm2k]

At least 10 wraps of tape, I just changed the tail on one of mine and put more like 20 wraps on. No leak!

 

[Madrab]

Yep, loads of tape as everyone has mentioned. The threads inside the rad aren't usually as clean as the threads on the tails so needs lots of tape to take up the slack.

 

[mogget]

Also, I don't think anyone has mentioned (can't be bothered to re-read), but you need to wrap the tape in the right direction - clockwise, looking with the end of the thread toward you.