Silicone bulkheads - gasket or not

SuperFudge · #1 08-15-2006, 11:54 PM

Dont use silicone.
If the fitting does leak,now or eventually...its a nightmare to prep for another seal..let alone even getting the nut back off.

90% of bulkhead leaks are just from the gasket being dryfitted.
Wet the gasket before tightening, making sure the gasket is on the "wet" side of the wall.

If you want to make absolutley sure it wont ever leak, place a rubber gasket on the wet and dry side, with an additional cork gasket after the rubber on the nut side.
WET both rubber gaskets prior to assembly.
Youd almost have to try to make that combination leak.

The only time silicone should be used, is if the hole was done poorly, and chipped out more than half the gasket width on the wet side.

Marc.

reeferaddict · #2 08-16-2006, 12:50 AM

Ya if you have a tight hole... (are you allowed to say that on here?

)... just use the gasket... every tank I have used silicone on has eventually leaked, not at all when just using the gaskets.

SuperFudge · #3 08-16-2006, 02:49 PM

Heh, your right.. I assumed people install the bulkhead in the correct way.

kwirky · #4 09-06-2006, 02:56 AM

just save all the trouble n get a good bulkhead in the first place, like a spears.

StirCrazy · #5 08-16-2006, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fudge

making sure the gasket is on the "wet" side of the wall.

Actually Marc, always on the wet side is wrong. no matter what way you install your bulkhead the gasket should always be on the flange side. if you put it on the nut side water can still migrate through the threads. so If you happen to install a bulkhead back wards for extra clearance on the outside of the tank remember the gasket will go on the outside also.

Steve