how do i tighten leaking fitting
- Thread starter AussieOi
- Start date
To tighten, rotate the collar clockwise if standing on the left of the pic and looking at the fitting.
These should only be done up hand tight - never use a tool to tighten.
You might want to undo the fitting first (release pressure in your system before you undo it..!) to check that the o-ring inside is seated correctly.
It may also be tight to undo as they tend to become tight (to undo) over time. In this case I use a large set of multi-grips (with a rag to prevent marring of the plastic) to undo them but never to do them up.
If pulling it open - lightly lubricate the o-ring with some o-ring safe silicon lube as this helps the seal seat & seal correctly.
These should only be done up hand tight - never use a tool to tighten.
You might want to undo the fitting first (release pressure in your system before you undo it..!) to check that the o-ring inside is seated correctly.
It may also be tight to undo as they tend to become tight (to undo) over time. In this case I use a large set of multi-grips (with a rag to prevent marring of the plastic) to undo them but never to do them up.
If pulling it open - lightly lubricate the o-ring with some o-ring safe silicon lube as this helps the seal seat & seal correctly.
Last edited:
- Jul 21, 2013
- 53,327
- Pool Size
- 35000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
Or use a Strap Wrench.
Strap Wrenches | RIDGID Tools
RIDGID Strap Wrenches have a polyurethane-coated strap that is good for use on polished pipe. Shop here.
www.ridgid.com
my PB told me to reassemble all the unions hand tight PLUS 1/8th turn. It took me 5 years of fumbling all day with drips/leaks each spring before it hit me that my ‘hand tight’ was tighter than his. So I was unintentionally flattening my O-rings and then trying to tighten them even more which only made it worse. Now I just make it what i consider ‘snug’ and tighten slightly if that drips any. It’s easier to do less and add more slowly until it’s sealed.
It's hard to tell from the pic angle, but that union nut appears to be cross threaded, so Costas' suggestion of unthreading and rethreading it may be really good advice.
cheers mate, If i undo my collar to lubricate my oring, am I going to loose a lot of water / get a lot of air in my system..... (or no different to opening filter basket lid to clean out basket...)
It depends where it is in relation to the rest of the equiptment. Usually if its before the filter you get the glug-glugs as air gets sucked in and the filter drains away from you like normal operation. If you open after the filter, you'll get gravity forcing the water out of the filter and you will probaby get wet.
cheers, all good, loosened, lubricated oring, tightened - no leak now
Similar threads
