Air compressor repair question

[jstchilln]

My quick connect couplers are leaking and I need to replace them. I'm going to look for good ones and not HF but I need tips on the proper way to replace them. Will tape work or is this a case for pipe dope???
The compressor is only used for tires and blowing clean small parts but has worked well for several years in my garage.

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

 

[wayne55]

Not an expert, but I've just used Teflon tape.

 

[nafterclifen]

I use teflon tape, wrapped 2-3 times in the direction of the threads.

My current couplers and plugs are made by Stedlin. I like them ALOT. Quiet and easy to use. No leaks. Also very easy to insert under pressure.

I previously used Dixon (European) high flow couplers/plugs. One coupler failed and started to leak. They replaced it under warranty. Plugs were never an issue. Except they were REALLY hard to insert under pressure.

 

[SGKent]

NAPA has a good line of couplers. Make sure you get the same style you already have. Take the male coupler along.

 

[PWC Repair]

Tape, 2-3 wraps, done.

 

[sberry]

Take it apart, fix it by massaging the gasket a little.

 

[The Cobbler]

teflon tape is your friend. buy good quality replacements, Milton brand work well for me. the plugs don't matter as much, but the cheap couplings don't last .

 

[joe_padavano]

X2 on Milton. I've found the best prices on line. M-style are the common ones for your application.

 

[jstchilln]

teflon tape is your friend. buy good quality replacements, Milton brand work well for me. the plugs don't matter as much, but the cheap couplings don't last .

I thought that Teflon tape would be the way to go but it's so easy to ask an informed group and get a knowledgeable answer and erase any doubts and worries.

Teflon tape it is and I will look into the suggested Milton couplers. My air compressor isn't a daily tool but it sure is handy when I need it.

Thanks for the quick replies.

 

[boostaholic1]

While on the subject of compressor repair.

I bought an older curtis compressor and while unloading it, it was dropped. Only thing I see for sure broken is the pressure switch.
Does anyone know where I can get a quality replacement for it? I have seen a couple online that go from 45-160psi and no reviews on them. I am looking for that psi range.
Thanks for any help and sorry to hijack your thread, but it looks like you have been answered.

 

[Miss the Pontiacs]

I have started to use the thicker (pink) Teflon tape. 3 wraps on 1” or less 4 wraps on larger connections. Wrap it in the proper direction or it is pretty useless. Sometimes I even use pipe dope with the tape.

 

[KenC]

Contrarian that I am, I seldom use tape. Instead I use a white pipe dope that contains teflon. Much easier to apply for me.
seems like everytime I've tried tape it gets dropped and unrolled a dozen times.

But, I bet both worked equally well.

 

[finn]

I use teflon tape, wrapped 2-3 times in the direction of the threads.

My current couplers and plugs are made by Stedlin. I like them ALOT. Quiet and easy to use. No leaks. Also very easy to insert under pressure.

I previously used Dixon (European) high flow couplers/plugs. One coupler failed and started to leak. They replaced it under warranty. Plugs were never an issue. Except they were REALLY hard to insert under pressure.

Whatever happened to the guy who was posting here with. “New And Improved” high flow coupler that he “invented” and was manufacturing?

One and done, or is he still making them? Haven’t heard anything for months.

 

[pelletman]

Teflon tape, wound clockwise so it doesn't unravel when you screw it in

 

[R6 Racer]

I use both together now. Light wrap with the tape then dope it up. When I used just tape, I did get the (very) occasional leaker. So now its both.

It's cheap so why not overkill a bit.


Steve

 

[SweetD]

I use both together now. Light wrap with the tape then dope it up. When I used just tape, I did get the (very) occasional leaker. So now its both.

It's cheap so why not overkill a bit.


Steve

One of my YouTube subscriptions, old school plumber/HVAC guy Steve Lavimoniere, swears by tape and dope. He's great.

 

[Citation]

I just use Teflon tape. I also suggest either adding a ball shutoff valve or turning the regulator down to cut off stream leaks.

 

[clubairth]

I now use Teflon paste unless I am out in the field or working in the dirt. Then I use the tape.

Last I heard the guy with the special couplers had a bad accident with compressed air while testing his couplers and destroyed both ear drums. So I don't know if he dropped the idea after that or not?
.
.
.

 

[Laminar]

Whatever happened to the guy who was posting here with. “New And Improved” high flow coupler that he “invented” and was manufacturing?

One and done, or is he still making them? Haven’t heard anything for months.

https://stedlin.com/about/


https://www.youtube.com/user/fastearns

I've been using teflon tape on pipe threads for a long long time and I wrap the tape tightly in the same direction as the thread 2 to 3 turns and never have a leak unless the thread is defective.

 

[yatg]

Here's a list of the PTFE (teflon) colors from wikipedia.

The white tape in the plumbing aisle is typically pretty thin. The yellow tape is thicker and is pretty easy to find in the HVAC aisle. Makes sense to use it for compressed air.

White: used on NPT threads up to 3/8 inch
Yellow: used on NPT threads 1/2 inch to 2 inch, often labeled "gas tape"
Pink: used on NPT threads 1/2 inch to 2 inch, safe for potable water
Green: oil-free PTFE used on oxygen lines and some specific medical gasses
Gray: contains nickel, anti-seizing, anti-galling and anti-corrosion, used for stainless pipes
Copper: contains copper granules and is certified as a thread lubricant but not a sealer

 

[SilverJimmy]

McMaster-Carr has any pressure switch you could need. A friend of mine was told that he needed a new air compressor or an expensive rebuild because of a massive air leak, $10.00 relief valve from McMaster, good as new!

 

[1320stang]

It looks like the inside of the coupler is leaking. That appears to be a mobile unit, I've always put a ball valve between my coupler and the tank, but this was on stationary units. Heck my portable tank has a ball valve on it before the hose. (It also has a male end on the hose, the air chuck has a female on it, when I air it up, I just connect the hose ends together and open the valves on each tank.)