Quincy 325 unloader tower leak

[WhoWhatNow]

I needed a little help with the final stage of setting up my Quincy 325. I've got everything hooked up and the last leak is in the fitting that connects the unloader tower to the centrifugal switch. The parts manual says this should be a 1/4 OD tube X 1/8 NPT. It appears that someone stuck a compression fitting into the tower. The fitting does not tighten completely and leaks at the tower as well as the elbow. Is there any chance I will be OK simply getting the correct fitting or will I need to drill and retap the hole in the tower for a 1/4" NPT?

 

[plow]

Drill, Tap, Forget.

 

[metalmagpie]

Depends on if you live near a Quincy service center. If you do, call their service manager and talk to him. He will know *everything* about a 325. The local place near me also has a "boneyard" and you might just be able to get a good used part, maybe even for free.

But if you have to use yours, take it all apart, clean it, look at it closely and see what's wrong. If the threads are boogered then sure, you can go up a size on threads to fix it.

I'm also concerned about a joint that leaks in two places. Compression fittings are usually very reliable indeed. Maybe the copper line is split?

metalmagpie

 

[WhoWhatNow]

Metal - good idea about the service center. I am sure there is one around the Philly area.

I'm going to pull it apart this weekend. I have the gasket on order as well as both a 1/4 OD pipe X 1/8 NPT and a 1/4 OD pipe X 1/4 NPT in case I need to drill and tap it.

The compression fitting on the copper pipe seems to be fine. It is the two piece elbow that is giving me trouble. It leaks at the tower to coupling as well at the elbow to coupling. You can almost make out the soap bubbles at the elbow to coupling in the pic above. Two separate issues I think. A new one piece fitting and a drill and re-tap will hopefully solve the problem.

 

[sberry]

A new nut and ferrule or better yet replace the fitting and if it doesn't tighten right in the comp might be able to Locktite it in. Some pieces where its too loose drill up and tap a size as suggested and often put in a steel bushing with Locktite. Cut a pinch off the line or replace if its workworn.

An Ace Hardware is perfect for this if you don't know one fitting from another.