Plumbing with 5200?

[carlylelk]

I have an odd situation. The factory install on the freshwater accumulator tank included an elbow connected to the accumulator. The elbow was drilled and tapped on each side for a pressure gauge on one side, and a pressure switch on the other. The new pump has a built in pressure switch, so I put a blind plug in to replace the old pressure switch and I can't get it to seal (there are only a couple of threads in the thickness of the elbow).

I'm thinking about using 5200 to glue the plug in. I'd like to keep the pressure gauge in place, which means keeping the elbow.

Any thoughts on the 5200, or maybe a different product?

Thanks!

[seahag]

Have you tried the paste, or at least a nice amount of teflon tape?

[seahag]

"The" paste: tfe, sorry for spell check

[carlylelk]

I put 4 wraps of teflon tape and it leaked. I tried 6 wraps and paste and it still leaked.

Because it's only going in a few threads (based on the wall thickness of an elbow) it never really got to the point where the threads were binding and that's part of the watertight joint of NPT threads.

[seahag]

After that you might try silicone before 5200, especially if you don't want to wait for the cure time. Either way you'd want to get all the tfe paste off before applying.

[seahag]

Thinking more about this, I would be worried about the potential for a full out failure later with the lack of thread. Would be better to back up, pull the weird elbow and use a tee to get your gauge on, and be all safe and sound. Having just had a 100 gallon tank filling my bilge from a blown out hose I can recommend against that possibility. Plus then you get to go the hardware store three times, the correct amount for any plumbing project.

[belizesailor]

Is it just a standard elbow which has been drilled & tapped?

If it leaks with TFE tape/sealant its likely to leak with other sealant in the future.

So, why not just buy or make up another elbow with a better fitting? Or replace w a standard elbow and add a "T" elsewhere for the pressure gauge. Of the shelf parts have a big advantage for future maintenance.

[belizesailor]

Originally Posted by seahag

Thinking more about this, I would be worried about the potential for a full out failure later with the lack of thread. Would be better to back up, pull the weird elbow and use a tee to get your gauge on, and be all safe and sound. Having just had a 100 gallon tank filling my bilge from a blown out hose I can recommend against that possibility. Plus then you get to go the hardware store three times, the correct amount for any plumbing project.

+1. Same sentiments as my post.

[Terra Nova]

Originally Posted by carlylelk

...The elbow was drilled and tapped on each side...

This is your problem, a bit of Mickey Mouse cobbling. Replace it with proper fittings.

For sealing properly threaded fittings use Leak Lock.