Hose too big for compression fittings?

jonnylaris · 29 Mar 2012 at 15:31

Hi guys,

Just started to setup my w/c stuff today finally (after having to return about 6 items for various reasons).

I bought 7/16 EK compression fittings and 7/16 Masterkleer tubing.

The Masterkleer box says its OD 5/8 and ID 7/16 which I belive is the correct size for these EK fittings yet I can not get the compression ring over the fitting once the tube is fitted.

Here are some pics:

Tube goes on ok with a bit of force:

This is as far as I can get the compression ring over the tube, about 1 turn is all:

Another angle:

Surely this isn't normal? I'm a pretty strong guy but this is as far as I could possibly get it on. It took me bloody ages to unscrew the damn thing afterwards too!

Cheers guys.

Krony · 29 Mar 2012 at 15:40

It's fine, as long as it's on a couple of threads.

jonnylaris · 29 Mar 2012 at 15:42

Looks a bit odd tho I've never seen any builds with it that loose?

Krony · 29 Mar 2012 at 15:48

Mine are a bit tighter, go as much as u can with ur fingers only, don't be tempted to use grips or plyers.

sick-lizard · 29 Mar 2012 at 18:08

tis the main reason I switched from the EK PSC fittings to bitspower the fit is a lot nicer, but bitspower are expensive & the ek work just fine, also for me the coating came off a bit to easily on the ek but I wasn't as gentle with them as I should have been.

pgi947 · 29 Mar 2012 at 21:14

Had this problem with the OcUK extreme high flow compression fittings over 7/16 ID XSPC tubing, I couldn't even get them over to bite the thread let alone one turn, in the end a pair of hens legs and some brute force managed to get a turn on so on the thread.

Will stick with bitspower for the future I think, the bitspower fittings I used were an excellent fit.

jonnylaris · 29 Mar 2012 at 21:21

Would buy bitspower but I just couldn't warrant spending 100 quid on fittings alone...

blky · 29 Mar 2012 at 23:00

i had this same problem too, what i did was take a stanley knife and trim down the outer diameter of the hosing, but not too much obviously, but just enough to get a nicer fit with the compressions, i also use 7/16mm and ek fittings

SeraphX · 31 Mar 2012 at 23:35

try dipping the end of the tubing in some very hot water for 20-30 seconds, then try again

sick-lizard · 1 Apr 2012 at 14:46

SeraphX said:
try dipping the end of the tubing in some very hot water for 20-30 seconds, then try again

useful for getting the hose over the barb bit, but not so useful for getting the compression fitting on as your expanding the plastic?

SeraphX · 1 Apr 2012 at 15:36

sick-lizard said:
useful for getting the hose over the barb bit, but not so useful for getting the compression fitting on as your expanding the plastic?

it will shrink back as it cools

lrlcr · 1 Apr 2012 at 16:39

My bitspower fittings don't quite screw home, but it's a couple of turns.

Fill a rad with di water and fit a loop of hose on it. See if it leaks, if not you're okay to go.