Talking to God on the plastic telephone.

ArtStream · 08-24-2006, 09:30 AM

So I've replaced the valve in my Thetford Galexy TWICE in the past 2 years due to leaks where the two parts of the plastic casting are glued together.

It finally dawns on me that this is from the stress placed on it by the "not even close" connection to the incoming water supply. The supply has a 45 degree copper elbow, but the toilet sits more on a 30 degree angle to the back wall. I decide to re-engineer the connection by removing the gray plastic tubing from the copper elbow and then heating and bending the copper elbow, works great.

Trouble is the male to male reducing nipple leaks when screwed into the body of the new Thetford valve.

I've installed a new nipple with/wo Teflon tape and still have a very slow drip. I've checked and retightened 6 times with the same result, a @%*+$ slow drip.

My question: is there a glue or sealant I can apply to the threads of the gray plastic nipple before screwing into the body of the Thetford valve?

Thanks,

Michael

bhunt · 08-24-2006, 11:48 AM

I don't advise glue, but you might want to make sure your tape is applied in the direction so that it tightens on the thread when screwed on. Also, you try another layer of tape before using dynamite on the whole setup!

empresley · 08-24-2006, 12:15 PM

You might want to try a plumbing product. It is a paste, will not harden & has teflon strands mixed in the compound. Should come with an application brush so you can wipe over the threads. I have found it useful with uncooperative joints.

ArtStream · 08-25-2006, 08:49 AM

The above post did not get much traction, so I'm re-dialing

Bueler, Bueler, anyone....

Michael

PS, with thanks to those who did replied.

ArtStream · 08-25-2006, 06:30 PM

Just a follow-up to the leaking threads.

As per Martin, I removed the Teflon tape and applied the Teflon pipe goo, stinky but worked like a charm.

Thank you Martin and BHunt

Michael

norbert · 08-25-2006, 08:18 PM

duck tape my man....the cause and solution to all of lifes problems....

norby

joel · 08-25-2006, 11:47 PM

check and see if your toilet has a tapered edge on the fitting . If it does and you are not using a matching flared coupling on it no amount of tape or putty will keep it from leaking for long.Good luck. Also tighten to snug and then about 3/4 to 1 turn.Do not over tighten flare fittings to tight or it will warp and never stop leaking.

ArtStream · 08-26-2006, 07:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joel

check and see if your toilet has a tapered edge on the fitting . If it does and you are not using a matching flared coupling on it no amount of tape or putty will keep it from leaking for long.Good luck. Also tighten to snug and then about 3/4 to 1 turn.Do not over tighten flare fittings to tight or it will warp and never stop leaking.

Good point Joel,
Of course ACE hardware TRIED to sell me a non-tapered nipple, when infact the valve called for a tapered nipple.

But that was not the problem, again the TPC stuff solved the leaking.

Thanks,
Michael

MacStreamer · 08-27-2006, 10:47 PM

Hey there Michael,
Since we have about the same AS year and size, you must have just done this, how on earth do we remove our Thetford toilet? We have the front screw/nut off, and I am laying on the floor reaching behind up and inside trying to loosen the back one. I can't reach it. And my husbands hands are even larger. There has to be an easy way that we are missing. And we have no manual. =( I am looking on the web and this forum site. I told Lance to move onto another spot and I would go see if I could find an answer. =) Any ideas?

Thanks,
Dana