Leaking Radiator Tails When Fitting new Valves Drainage and wastage systems and plumbing help, advice and answers

[Csxmodeller]

Hi all, hopefully someone can point me in the right direction. I'm fitting the valves to a new radiator. I fitted the rad tails into the rad using 3-4 turns of ptfe tape clockwise around the thread, both tails leaked. I've tried increasing the number of turns to 20 and then 30, both times both tails leaked.

I've never had trouble fitting tails before. Am I doing something wrong? Is there something else I could use instead of ptfe tape?

Not sure if it's relevant, but it's possible to screw the tails right into the rad. They don't tighten up against anything.

Thanks for any help, Lee

[stoneyboy]

Hi csxmodeller,
Your tails should have a 1/2" BSP taper thread and should get tight once in about 2/3 to 3/4 of the threaded length. So either the threads in the radiator are too big or the tails are too small. Easiest to try a different make of tails, if this doesn't solve the issue you could try a thread sealant like Loctite 577.
Regards S

[Csxmodeller]

Thanks Stoneyboy, got some new tails today and that did the trick. The new ones did exactly what you said unlike the old ones.

Thanks Lee