Teflon Tape on fuel Line Fittings

[Robert Henley]

Is the use of Teflon tape on straight, not flared, fittings appropriate to use? The project had Teflon tape on the tank fitting where the two wing tanks come into the bottom of the nose tank. I seem to recall the tape was not appropriate.

Robert

[Paul Agaliotis]

Robert,
I use a thread sealer in a putty form, RectorSeal. The tape can be dislodged and contaminate the carburetor.
Paul

[DC Krog]

The correct method is a product call Fuel Lube. It comes in a tube or small can and s available from Aircraft Spruce. It is a thick bee's wax like paste that will not break down over time an will lubricated/seal for future removal. It fairly inexpensive I believe eight or nine dollars per tube.

Teflon tape is really not common in avaition MRO. Some use it but not generally accepted.

DC Krog

[Dennis]

I did a search on the NTSB web site for "Teflon tape". I got six hits. Two of the hits were incidents directly related to the use of Teflon tape on a fuel line and on a vacumn line. In each case, a piece of the tape blocked the line.

Dennis

[Robert Henley]

Okay, I got the message... no teflon tape. I'll use something else.

Either fuel lube or RectorSeal.


Thanks

Robert

[Lostdutchman]

The only place I use teflon tape is on the fittings in the back of the instruments (a/s ind, alt. etc.) Fuel lube is amazing stuff I use it almost every day. I put it on float mount bolts. I dont know if it does anything but it makes me think I am doing something to prevent corrosion. Its almost worse than glitter though once you get it on you it goes every where. A tube should last you forever. I bought a can 10 years ago and use it frequently and I have barely put a dent in it. Another good use for the stuff is on those hard to start nuts. put a little dab on a scrfewdriver and the nut will stick to it. Well worth the minimal investment.

[jkvincent]

Fuel Lube (this stuff's good)

and LostDutchman's right,
once I had to install a tiny nut up in a tight place where I couldn't see (only feel)
so I put a small "dab" on the tip of my finger, stuck the nut to it and got it done.

here's a hint, buy the smallest quanity you can get...it will last forever (even with people borrowing it).
Years ago, I bought a small 1/2 pint can, a couple of guys have borrowed some and we still haven't
put a dent in it.
Jim