Date:         Wed, 19 Nov 2003 15:46:42 -0500
Reply-To:     Tim Demarest <tim.demarest@POBOX.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Tim Demarest <tim.demarest@POBOX.COM>
Subject:      Un-Sealing propane tank fittings...
In-Reply-To:  <BBE1095C.16C2A%albell@uvic.ca>
Content-type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii; format=flowed

Has anyone got suggestions for getting stuck propane fitting loose? I'm
trying to drop my propane tank, and remove the interior cabinets (carrying
on an extended "rust patrol").

The fittings at the tank don't seem to want to budge, and somehow I don't
want to fall back on heating them up with a torch (seems like a bad idea
for the propane system. :-). Anyone found a good way to get these loose
without kinking the copper?

I've already dropped the under-tank skid plate to get more room to swing a
wrench, but no joy.

Tim


At 11:49 AM 11/19/2003 -0800, you wrote:
>I concur with Geoff.
>
>The "white stuff" sealant (can't if it is made by Loctite) is somewhat
>messy, and slow to harden (I mean the squeeze out). With me, the stuff gets
>everywhere :)
>
>
>
>Trades folk I have talked with also point out that threaded (flare fitting
>shouldn't need tape) fittings in a gas line situation (esp if a small
>orifice is downstream) should not be sealed with tape, chance of scrap of
>tape coming loose and blocking.
>
>BTW, same folk advise 3 turns around threads if using tape.
>
>Alistair
>
>--
>'82 Westy -> diesel converted to gas in '94
>albell@uvic.ca
>http://members.shaw.ca/albell
>
>
>
>on 19/11/03 10:17 am, George Goff wrote:
>
> > In a message dated 11/19/03 12:00:05 PM, kennedy@THERIVER.COM writes:
> >
> > << I'm guessing teflon tape on everything that screws into
> >
> > the tank. Any better ideas? >>
> >
> > I like Teflon tape on any tapered thread fittings myself, but the
> tradesmen I
> > know who spend their days winging together pipe fittings have all gone to
> > Teflon paste pipe dope.  It could be that it is just to much of a
> nuisance to
> > apply the tape properly.  Most people who do not know better think that
> more
> > is
> > better when it comes to Teflon tape and they wrap several layers around a
> > thread.  One tight wrap with just a little extra to secure it is what is
> > called
> > for.  Too much and the tape is pushed along the thread without ever filling
> > the
> > space between the threads.
> >
> > George