Where's my chuffing leak coming from?! (Mash tun)

[welly2]

So, Keep Cold cooler, have removed the old tap and replaced it with the following (in order - outside to inside):

1. 1/2" barb
2. Ball valve
3. Threaded pipe (internal thread)
4. Threaded pipe (external thread)
5. Nut
6. S/S Washer
7. Silicon gasket
8. Cooler wall
9. Silcon gasket
10. S/S Washer
11. Nut
12. Hose
13. False bottom

Oh, the reason for the two threaded pipes is the Keep Cold cooler is:

Where the tap is, the surround is quite deep - about 3/4" - and needs a length of pipe to ensure the tap lever can actually be opened and closed.

It's all tightened up pretty well but I can see water coming through in my tests. Only a little bit but enough to piss my right off. Is there anything I can do to help seal it? From what I can tell, particularly with the use of two silicon gaskets, it should be pretty water tight. But apparently not! :angry:

 

[luggy]

Thread tape?

 

[schoey]

Do you have thread tape on the threaded pipe? Also get rid if the SS washers, the nuts should be enough by themselves.

 

[MHB]

Yep, the water is traveling along the thread, some thread tape or I use Loctite 565 food grade, messy shit but wont let you down.
Mark

 

[welly2]

I've got some silicone tape. I'll wrap it up with that and give it another go. There's always something!

Cheers for the advice all!

 

[welly2]

Do you have thread tape on the threaded pipe? Also get rid if the SS washers, the nuts should be enough by themselves.

The reason I used the SS washers is I was concerned about tightening up too much and the nut destroying the silicon gaskets. But then I suppose if I wrap up the threaded pipe, I shouldn't need to tighten it right up. I'll give it a go tonight and see what happens!

 

[MHB]

Use the washers if you have them, as you tighten the nut, without a washer the silicone tends to try and twist around can cause problems.
M

 

[welly2]

All sorted. A slathering of silicone tape has resulted in a mash tun that doesn't leak.



And a boiling pot that doesn't leak either



Happy now! Just my HLT to build and I'm ready to rock. :kooi:

 

[welly2]

Actually, I spoke too soon. It started dripping again. Not much but enough. Disassembled it, simplified it, a shit load of silicone tape and ad we speak, there's not a speck of water dripping. I'll leave it for the night and see how it is in the morning.

 

[TSMill]

Maybe painting it blue helped.

 

[welly2]

Maybe painting it blue helped.

True, I hear those orange coolers are full of leaks.