Air compressor sealant

[laneyracing]

Im reworking a compressor i got from my dad, the fitting on the side of the tank was leaking so we got it loose, but not sure what kind of sealant to use when reinstalling it? Im guessing it had a locking type paste on it originally? Id like to hear any recommendations you may have. The picture helps show the fitting im talking about, its the large fitting on the side of the tank, thank you.

 

[gungatim]

pipe sealant or teflon tape is all you need. if it still leaks replace the fitting. was it rusty inside? Have seen them get eaten up really bad from water spraying at it and not able to seal. cheap cast fittings from China can also be leakers, try and find a good steel one if you can.

 

[laneyracing]

I tried tape and some cheapo paste i had, still leaked, doesnt look like bad shape but will pull it back out, would this be a fitting i should be able to find at a local hardware store? Just like a 2 inch or whatever reducer to 1/2 im guessing, just not sure if that would be a common fitting, if not i can try a big box store this weekend. Thank you

 

[csp]

All of those fittings are standard NPT fittings. You're probably not going to find a 2" to 1/2" bushing at any big box store.

Perhaps you didn't get it tight enough.

 

[The Cobbler]

make sure the threads are clean ( wire wheel them ) wrap teflon tape mostly at the start of the male threads several turns and tighten up. I have had galvanized pipe that I couldn't seal with teflon but good old masters pipe dope did.could try that too.

 

[G_P]

I've had nothing but good experiences with this stuff on compressed air fittings.

 

[laneyracing]

Thanks for the replies so far, ill look for a new fitting, or at least some good sealant

 

[bobabuee]

clean with wire wheel fitting and tank threads then wrap 3 times with Teflon tape then quality pipe dope done...

 

[ImportTuner]

I use Loctite 82480 H.V.A.C. Blue Pipe Joint Compound .. suppose to be good for 3000 psi according the label. Stuff is amazing!

 

[stonesfan68]

You have to tighten the fool out of those iron fittings or you'll get a leak. Put an 18" pipe wrench on there and turn away.

I use RectorSeal "T + 2" for compressed air pipe sealant.

 

[1Garageman]

Do these compressed air sealants lock in there for good? Or can you still remove the fitting later on if you need to?

 

[laneyracing]

Anybody seen one of these take an o-ring? The thread is not cut all the way to the end of the fitting, there is about an 1/8 relief by the hex, saw online that some kobalt tanks use o ring, this is a husky tank

 

[csp]

Do these compressed air sealants lock in there for good? Or can you still remove the fitting later on if you need to?

They are a sealant, not a threadlocker and allow the fittings to come apart as easily as they go together.

Anybody seen one of these take an o-ring? The thread is not cut all the way to the end of the fitting, there is about an 1/8 relief by the hex, saw online that some kobalt tanks use o ring, this is a husky tank

An O-ring fitting would have the o-ring at the start of the threads, not behind them.

You're making this harder than it needs to be. Get any pipe dope/teflon tape and get after it with a big pipe wrench. Big fittings need big torque to get them tightened properly.

 

[CNGsaves]

^ ^ ^ +1 . . . . pipe dope/teflon is merely "lubrication" to tighten up the black pipe steel connections completely so they won't leak.

For airline system, can't beat the low cost and lifetime strength of black pipe steel.

 

[laneyracing]

Well after scouring the web today finally found a parts diagram for the compressor, sure enough it shows o rings on the tank bushings on the side and bottom, found some o rings, threw them on with some better paste to lube the threads and no leaks! Well one at a different fitting but tightening that fixed it, thanks everyone for your advice, definitely like the better pipe dope than the cheap stuff i had laying around.