Anyway to fix this sort of leak?

Rainagul · 20 Jan 2014 at 23:15

Currently doing a quick refresh of my system with new tubing/fluid due to installing new parts.

I'm experiencing a small leak on my DDC pump with EK XRes 140 Top.

I never used to have this in the past. I noticed this after I put the new loop together earlier today. When I saw the leak the first time round I drained everything, replaced the fitting with a new one, thinking maybe the old o-ring was damaged. I also cleaned/dried the hole and made sure the fitting was placed in quite firmly.

Alas, I'm still experiencing the same thing even after new fitting. It's not a huge leak, the above photo took 1h to get to that stage. I will probably drain my system again tomorrow and try again.

Has anyone got anything I can try to see if that will solve the issue?

Avenged7Fold · 20 Jan 2014 at 23:56

you can grab a set of pliers and really tighten that fitting up to make sure the O-ring is making a good seal. TBH i would say normally its an O-ring that is broken or the thread of the fittings is off so that it doesnt screw in enough to squash the O-ring down enough to make it water tight, but since you replaced the fitting, i can only guess it's the thread in the pump top that is to blame. You can try an extra O-ring, so there is two on the fitting. My last resort would be PTFE. I don't like using ptfe as it can make the thread bad if you constantly are screwing and unscrewing the fitting but in this scenario, it seems like that the thread is probably already damaged (unless you got really unlucky and had two dud fittings in a row!).

Rainagul · 21 Jan 2014 at 09:31

I left it leak testing overnight and was surprised to see this morning that only a tiny amount of liquid leaked out, so maybe it's not as bad as I first feared.

Will still get a new set of pliers at lunch and give it a good tighten for good measure.

Ragnahex · 21 Jan 2014 at 09:54

Good tighten bit don't over tighten... You can end up stripping the threads and totally knackering it (been there done that)

Avenged7Fold · 21 Jan 2014 at 10:39

Normally i wouldn't recommend pliers but if you are getting leaks with different fittings, likely the thread is busted anyway.

Silent_Scone · 21 Jan 2014 at 11:43

As above damaged thread most likely if you've tried different fittings. Pain in the bum. Could try draining and wacking a load of silicon grease in there.

robj20 · 21 Jan 2014 at 12:38

In the past i have put silicone on the threads and hand tightened, leave for 24 hours and it was water tight.

Rainagul · 21 Jan 2014 at 14:24

Just given a half turn tighten with some pliers and haven't had any leaks or residue, so think I may have got it.

Will try silicon for the future if it proves to be an issue though.

thanks for the advice guys

pete910 · 22 Jan 2014 at 19:37

PTFE thread tape would be better, if you are thinking of draining it to investigate further

paulstung · 24 Jan 2014 at 08:47

pete910 said:
PTFE thread tape would be better, if you are thinking of draining it to investigate further

+1 for the PTFE tape, Make sure you put it on the opposite way to the thread. I wouldn't attempt a 2nd O ring, and with pliers you risk splitting the block in half. If you try silicon, use a fine bead on the fittings thread