3 way coupler leaking

[GusGF]

I've replaced a section of pipe which serves as a feed for the shower (hot water), the pipe and couplers were all corroded up from a leak. All went fine apart from when I was fitting the new 3 way coupler which is a 15mm on one side and 22mm straight thru. On the 22mm run side connecting to the old 22mm pipe the olive fitted to the coupler was oddly quiet a loose fit hence it's now proving to be quite hard to stop water leaking. I've tried packing the join with ptfe tape twice and as a last resort I'm now doing to reassemble but this time pack as much tape under the olive as I can.

Any words of wisdom would be great. See attachment.

 

[Dan Robinson]

Do you hold shares in a PTFE company? Or do you subscribe @JohnD school of mechanical strength improvement?

 

[JohnD]

I see my stalker is making up stories again.

 

[Dan Robinson]

No helpful comments for the OP then?

 

[Bosswhite]

At a guess the down pipe is Imperial 3/4 inch pipe, you can get 3/4 inch olives ( or Green Rings) from a Plumbing Merchant or B& Q
These should fit a 22 mill fitting, if not a speed fit push fitting 22 mill will take 3/4 inch pipe.

 

[Dan Robinson]

Sounds about right.

And FFS take all that PTFE off - it does nothing despite what idiot moderators on here might think.

 

[GusGF]

Okay I've unscrewed the coupler from the old pipe and the olive is nice and snug and I'd have trouble getting it off with my hand but it does move a bit though no way as loose as before. Going to give it a go and if no joy it sounds like the push fit coupler may be the way to go. Such a shame if I have to as all the other joins are fine.

Just checked with my slide caliper and yep it's 22mm!!

That olive was definitely a wee bit looser than was healthy, ah well.

 

[GusGF]

Sounds about right.

And FFS take all that PTFE off - it does nothing despite what idiot moderators on here might think.

ptfe has got to go on the thread correct? About 10 turns?

Many people suggest putting 5 turns around olives as well.

Did find putting on the ptfe tape to be time consuming, any worthwhile alternatives?

 

[copea]

The PTFE goes around the olive, not the thread.
It's the olive that does the sealing.

The threads just allow the nut to be turned, in turn transferring the force onto the olive, deforming it and making the seal against the body of the fitting.

 

[Dan Robinson]

No PTFE should be used on that kind of fitting.

The only time it might be required is around the olive when someone has graunched the nut.

 

[GusGF]

I see. I'm no expert so will give it a go, thanks.

 

[Bosswhite]

If the olive is still loose try using Copper Olives instead of brass they are softer and will compress onto the pipework better, I never use PTFE tape for olives, a smidgen of silicon wiped around the olive and thread is as good as PTFE tape.

 

[GusGF]

No joy

Thanks for your suggestion Bosswhite, think I will give the copper olives a go. If that fails its a speedfit tee for me.

 

[TCCHeating]

if not a speed fit push fitting 22 mill will take 3/4 inch pipe.

No it wont. Trust me, I once made that mistake when I used to subcontract for bg. Joint lasted a few days then It made a right mess of the ceiling.

Speed fit do sell 22 to 3/4 adapters for this purpose I think

 

[GusGF]

Thanks for everyones help