Help with galled threads?

[tncatadjuster]

I bought a new propane heater and the matching regulator. Stupidly while reading the instructions after unpacking I screwed the street L into the regulator by hand. It will not come out, carefully in a vise along with knowledge of aluminum.... no go maybe 1/64 of a turn. Is there any sealant that can be used to run down into the threads the will work with the propane? Super glue? I'm thinking something more than JB Weld. It is on the low pressure side so that helps.

sooo stupid.

 

[OccupantRJ]

Try WD40 on it. It is a good machining lube for aluminum and may let you work it to free it up.

 

[tncatadjuster]

I tried many penetrating products (kroil, PB blaster, and wd40)followed by a cleaning with carb cleaner.

 

[PCustoms]

Freeze spray on the fittingwhile warming the regulator?

 

[PoorOwner]

there was just no way you could have screwed this on by hand and achieve the torque needed for the threads to seal.. put the fitting in a vise and turn the regulator or the other way around.

 

[SALIV8]

Looks like frankenmuth gives you some serious strength.

Lol. Sorry, had to.

I would use a couple wrenches and remove the street L.

Then enjoy more beer.

 

[Bretny]

Its gas...chuck the whole thing in the garbage and try again. Not worth blowing your garage/house all to bits.

 

[bad_idea]

Its gas...chuck the whole thing in the garbage and try again. Not worth blowing your garage/house all to bits.

I agree with this guy - mostly. I would cinch that reg down in a vice and get that 90 loose. It will come, it's aluminum. After you get it apart inspect the carnage and see if you can salvage it. If you are lucky then the 90 will take the damage and you will be able to salvage the threads in the reg. Either way - err on the side of caution with gas.

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

Leave it near a 12-14 year old and tell them not to touch it. Specifically tell them NOT to take the elbow off. Return in exactly 1 minute and 14 seconds and they will be seperated.

 

[yeldogt]

Agree with others who can't see how hand tightening would do this ? Put the regulator firmly in a vise using the square area made for a wrench and use whatever (wrench/ channel locks) to turn off the fitting.

Inspect and clean up the threads -- install with proper thread sealant. Check with leak detector.

 

[tncatadjuster]

After multiple tries with vise and wrench I just filled the threads with superglue three times and it is working fine. I called a uncle chemist to find out if the propane will attack the ethyl 2-cyanoacrylate, and got the go ahead on that issue. I will test on a regular basis, this is a heater that I will monitor as long as it is on, and I close the valve after each use.

I'm 61 years old grew up working on rent houses, was involved with many fittings in my life but I have never had a handy joint lock so tight with no chance of removal.

Thanks for the replies.

 

[PCustoms]

Wow, a page full of applicable information and your solution is to superglue a gas fitting?

Good luck!

 

[tncatadjuster]

Wow, a page dull of applicable information and your solution is to superglue a gas fitting?

Good luck!