Tape or paste on steering fittings
 

Which way :picard1:

Oh , Happy New Years!

if they are the standard jic type fittings they do not use tape or paste, also do not overtighten them

if they are AN fittings, i dont think you need either.
everything in my engine compartment is AN fitting and stainless lines.i used neither.

I should have been more specific. For the fittings for the tank and filter. My bad.
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...f9ed369191.jpg

Dope all day. Never tape.

thread sealer

Paste thread sealer

Thank y'all !

Gasoila Fitting Paste , Amazon . Resists water , oil , Gas ,

Whenever I`ve used any kind of paste on AN connections I get leaks, (leak lock included)
Switched to Blue monster tape and no more leaks, sometimes I use both tape and little bit of plumbers paste.
Found that to works the best in my HVAC /plumbing field too.
used paste on all the connectors below and they all seeped, used tape no issues. not sure what I`m doing wrong

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...1df321fc13.jpg

Loctite 567

I used to be a machine tool pipe fitter and built a lot of high pressure hydraulic systems (3500psi) and we used loctite 567 teflon paste in a tube. Been using the same for 40+ years no leaks yet.

I'll second the loctite 567

Only time 567 has failed me is when using it in freezing services. Otherwise it's used plant wide in our refinery.

Refrigeriant pumps, super light end products that freeze pipes the 567 freezes and eventually leaks. Pretty much the only time we use tape.

No tape for fuel, oil or hydraulic lines. Coolant line fittings are OK.

Why?

Tape interferes with any sort of compression or flare fitting by binding the treads before the mating surfaces have proper contact. Also most tape isn’t developed for the chemicals in most fluids.

Almost any auto parts store has the permatex aviation thread sealer.

Also, small shreads of teflon tape can enter system and cause problems with close tolerance devices. Good example was when I was troubleshooting a low fuel pressure issue on my current boat. Found tiny shreads of tape in the fuel pump check-valves preventing them from sealing. The tape was installed on pipe threads. Both engs had same issue and one eng had damaged piston due to leaning-out @ high power setting. The other eng luckily just shut down.

Agreed, a fitting made to be used with no paste/tape may get leaky from paste/tape

Right, any compression or flare it`s not needed. Don`t have any of those on any fuel, oil or water line on my boat so that`s not an issue.
Also I don`t cover the first couple threads so that the tape doesn`t come off as described.
When used properly tape is the only 100% way for leak free NPT fittings. ive been down this road way too many time using the above pastes. Always something leaking .. use tape, leak solved everytime.

this here and there is some others. I have used actually a few others.

Leak lock was another

https://www.permatex.com/products/th...aulic-sealant/

and or Loctite 5452 if you get their catalogs you can look up what they recommend for the apps as per what is the best they have to offer

here is the Loctite - again I have used these

https://www.henkel-adhesives.com/us/...tite_5452.html

https://www.plantengineering.com/art...hread-sealant/.

When I do use a liquid I've had good luck on the boat with the permatex aviation #3 as it's gas and oil compatible.

Make sure these are alcohol resistance. Merc Perfect seal and many of the brush on sealers - to clean any of that off - Alcohol will wipe it away very easily. The reason I bring this up is E 10 gas -- make sure that E 10 / Alcohol does not break down the sealer. You can test it to see as well. .

I'm not currently near the shop, but I'm 95% sure this is what I used on the last 3 eng builds.
https://www.permatex.com/products/th...oint-compound/
Not a single leak after many seasons.

I've had bad luck with paste. I use tape on any fitting that requires a sealant. I've cleaned and resealed pipe thread fittings 2-3 times with paste and they still leaked. Wrapped with tape once and done.

Agree 100%

I agree 100 percent also. I’ve always had leaks with any kind of paste. The loctite brand and every other brand. On an NPT thread I use a quality thread tape, install it like I actually care about what I’m doing and never had an issue with leaks, clogged check valves or pumps ect.

Everyone has their own preferences as to what works for them and this is a perfect example. I also feel that the quality control of fittings is down the drain. The tape seals in the threads alittle better then the paste causing less leaks atleast for me.