Small Sump Connection Leak HELP - PIC

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
Maybe I missed something, but is the leak around the bulkhead fitting hole, or on the threads of the bulkhead fitting? If all else fails, a fool proof way of sealing that sucker, is to trash the rubber gasket apply a bead of silicone around the bulkhead fitting. Install the fitting, and let cure. Then put PVC glue on the fitting threads, and install your hose connector. Let cure. It'll trash the fittings if you ever want to remove them, but fittings are cheap, and it won't leak. :D
 
Is it leaking at the rubber gasket or in the threads where the white meets the black?


If it is the gasket, putting teflon tape on the threads on the other side isn't going to do it. That doesn't participate in the seal. Make sure the gasket and mating surfaces are clean. Also make sure that the pump is not pulling the gasket at a weird angle.

If it is the white threaded fitting, teflon tape will do it. You will need 7-10 tight wraps on the threads. If the guy down at the hardware store said three wraps, that is advice that came from steel pipe work. It doesn't work reliably with plastic fittings because of the die ridge in the threads (steel pipe thread is cut on a lathe so it doesn't have die ridges).
 
hillbilly;2632746; said:
Maybe I missed something, but is the leak around the bulkhead fitting hole, or on the threads of the bulkhead fitting? ...:D
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You type way faster than I do.
 
CHOMPERS;2632776; said:
Is it leaking at the rubber gasket or in the threads where the white meets the black?


If it is the gasket, putting teflon tape on the threads on the other side isn't going to do it. That doesn't participate in the seal. Make sure the gasket and mating surfaces are clean. Also make sure that the pump is not pulling the gasket at a weird angle.

If it is the white threaded fitting, teflon tape will do it. You will need 7-10 tight wraps on the threads. If the guy down at the hardware store said three wraps, that is advice that came from steel pipe work. It doesn't work reliably with plastic fittings because of the die ridge in the threads (steel pipe thread is cut on a lathe so it doesn't have die ridges).
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First of all, a BIG THANK YOU to everybody who's helping me here. It's really frustrating that I can't get this one connection to seal.

I'm not sure how to tell if its leaking at the gasket or threads leaking. I was thinking about going to home depot today and getting the materials to cut two new gaskets and then another thing of Teflon tape. I had only been wrapping it 4-5 times so I guess I should try 7-10 times.

I'm still not sure if I should use silicone but I really do not want this connection leaking EVER. If I have to go out of town for a week or something it would be a disaster if someone else would have to clean up that mess... :eek:
 
If you can get your head to both sides of the fitting, use a good flashlight to get a good look. If you have a small mirror, that will make it easy to see the other side and bottom.

Another way is to dry it off and use a tissue to wipe at the threaded area and gasket area. Keep checking for a wet spot on the tissue, and that will tell you where the leak is. Fold up the tissue so that you can wipe one area at a time.
 
CHOMPERS;2632871; said:
If you can get your head to both sides of the fitting, use a good flashlight to get a good look. If you have a small mirror, that will make it easy to see the other side and bottom.

Another way is to dry it off and use a tissue to wipe at the threaded area and gasket area. Keep checking for a wet spot on the tissue, and that will tell you where the leak is. Fold up the tissue so that you can wipe one area at a time.
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I will take a look at it when I get home and see if I can figure it out. I'll also snap some better photos to give you an idea of what I'm working with.

Also, on my ball valve joints (you can see a couple of them in the original photo), should I take those out and re-wrap them with Teflon? I only wrapped them 4-5 times and don't want those to be a problem down the road. They aren't leaking at all now and the connections are tightened down fully. Any thoughts?
 
I'm curious if this will continue to be a problem due to the vibration of the pump since it is hard piped to the bulkhead. Isn't it preferable to use hose to make this connection? I would think it would also reduce the noise created by the vibration.
 
Always use teglon tape on threaded connections, 2-3 good wraps will be sufficient as overdoing it can be bad and cause leaks.
 
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