Leaky tails

[Andy7]

I'm installing a couple of new radiators and BOTH the tails of BOTH are leaking (Grr). I've followed the instructons, wrapped a good 3-4 turns of ptfe around the male thread, used a proper radiator alan key and fixed everything good and tight.

Now I hope I got the term right, by tail I mean the threaded piece that screws into the bottom of the rad that the valve attaches to.

The instructons say that "there's no flange in the rad, so if you use PTFE, then it should be sealed if screwed halfway in"... hmmm

Well, I tightned it all the way up, but not overtight. Could that be the problem?

Just draining everything down and having a cuppa...

Anyone got any tips on getting this right? The rest of the fitting and pipes seem to be dry, which is someting at least!

 

[petit_pablo]

I personally put a minimum of 10 wraps on tails, probably a bit more.

 

[Andy7]

I think that's probably the problem - saw someone else on here used 18 wraps.

Luckily, I went out and got myself a new roll of ptfe today to I can go crazy with it.

Someone else said tighten the tail "four finger tight" - anyone else got any tips of tail tightness? I want to get that bit right this time so I don't have to take the whole thing apart again.

 

[petit_pablo]

With enough PTFE on the threads you should find that you meet resistance when tightening after a few turns. Go a few turns past that and it will feel its tightened up. You shouldnt have to force it

 

[Andy7]

Nice one!

I'll give that a spin, see what happens.

 

[fine tune]

and always put it on clockwise or it will unwind its self when you screw it in

 

[Andy7]

Job done! Toasty and warm now... kicking back with a G&T and listening to the storm raging outside.

Thanks all for your help!


Andy