Teflon paste on fluid drain plugs
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 191
Likes: 0
From: Danville, KY
No tape !!
Like many others have posted , just use the o-ring or o-ring plus just a slight amount of thread sealer. Never use tape. Most people use tape because they think it seals, well here is the skinny on tape. The teflon tape has no sealing qualities, it just acts as a lubricant so you can physically tighten the joint more, hopefully giving a seal. Where as a thread sealant actually fills the voids in the threads and provides a seal. I know mega people use and swear by tape but thats just the old school thought. Also when using tape if you extend the tape onto and or past the first thread you will have a nice long tape thread inside. I have dug a many of these teflon threads from precision hydraulic proportional control valves over the last 30+ years. I always use and recommend PST brand sealer but Locktite makes a good one as well as the ones previously listed, just don't use tape.
Just another FYI note: Dow Chemical has the patent on Teflon Tape, but doesn't allow the use of it in any of their facilities.
Just another FYI note: Dow Chemical has the patent on Teflon Tape, but doesn't allow the use of it in any of their facilities.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,124
Likes: 255
From: From Long Island, now in So. Cal
Man the design of the Drain Plugs was to replace the O-Ring when doing oil changes, I don't know why people like to add pipe dope.
I do my own oil, replace the O-rings every time and never had a leak.
I bought 100 O-Rings for less than $4.00 at Graingers (McMasterCarr # is Buna-N O-Ring AS568A Dash Number 013 9452K57), Cheap.
I do my own oil, replace the O-rings every time and never had a leak.
I bought 100 O-Rings for less than $4.00 at Graingers (McMasterCarr # is Buna-N O-Ring AS568A Dash Number 013 9452K57), Cheap.
Torque wrench...........
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 66,948
Likes: 4,573
From: TOAK western branch
Like many others have posted , just use the o-ring or o-ring plus just a slight amount of thread sealer. Never use tape. Most people use tape because they think it seals, well here is the skinny on tape. The teflon tape has no sealing qualities, it just acts as a lubricant so you can physically tighten the joint more, hopefully giving a seal. Where as a thread sealant actually fills the voids in the threads and provides a seal. I know mega people use and swear by tape but thats just the old school thought. Also when using tape if you extend the tape onto and or past the first thread you will have a nice long tape thread inside. I have dug a many of these teflon threads from precision hydraulic proportional control valves over the last 30+ years. I always use and recommend PST brand sealer but Locktite makes a good one as well as the ones previously listed, just don't use tape.
Just another FYI note: Dow Chemical has the patent on Teflon Tape, but doesn't allow the use of it in any of their facilities.
Just another FYI note: Dow Chemical has the patent on Teflon Tape, but doesn't allow the use of it in any of their facilities.
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 932
Likes: 14
From: CENTRAL IL
a negative to teflon sealing tape is if there is any small pieces that tear off inside the motor it can get into oil passages and block them off. A little teflon paste on the threads lubricates the threads(anti sieze) also, and also stops any seepage past the o ring
Road Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 899
Likes: 10
Never use anything on fluid plugs. Bob's right. If the tape, or sealant, breaks free (and some of it it always does) not only can the oil passages become clogged but so can the oil screen in your oil pump. The only answer for a plug that won't seal with a new o-ring is a true repair.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 2,386
Likes: 15
From: The City Of New York
Man the design of the Drain Plugs was to replace the O-Ring when doing oil changes, I don't know why people like to add pipe dope.
I do my own oil, replace the O-rings every time and never had a leak.
I bought 100 O-Rings for less than $4.00 at Graingers (McMasterCarr # is Buna-N O-Ring AS568A Dash Number 013 9452K57), Cheap.
I do my own oil, replace the O-rings every time and never had a leak.
I bought 100 O-Rings for less than $4.00 at Graingers (McMasterCarr # is Buna-N O-Ring AS568A Dash Number 013 9452K57), Cheap.
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 584
Likes: 2
From: La Verne, Ca
Another opinion. Don't use sealers or tape with o-rings. They are only for tapered pipe threads. I've seen it slathered and wrapped on everything from flared brake lines to banjo bolts. The threads in these fittings are not where the seal is created. Use sealants here and they are nothing but a contaminant and you are asking for trouble down the line. It doesn't help and it can hurt.
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