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Topic: Teflon tape for LP line (Read 2153 times) previous topic - next topic

Teflon tape for LP line

I am getting ready to remove our failed RV absorption refrigerator and cap the LP line. The local mom and pop plumbing supply store where I found the plug said not to use teflon tape on the threads. My jack-of-all trades neighbor who is helping me, said to use teflon tape. The Internet says to use Yellow Teflon Tape which is made for gas lines.

What is the correct and safest thing to do?

Thanks

Bob
Winter: Texas Rio Grande Valley or Foley, AL
Summer: The Gardens RV Community of Crossville, TN
2000 40 FT U270, Xtreme FBP
2017 C-Max Towed

Re: Teflon tape for LP line

Reply #1 –
Quote from: BobW –
I am getting ready to remove our failed RV absorption refrigerator and cap the LP line. The local mom and pop plumbing supply store where I found the plug said not to use teflon tape on the threads. My jack-of-all trades neighbor who is helping me, said to use teflon tape. The Internet says to use Yellow Teflon Tape which is made for gas lines.

What is the correct and safest thing to do?

Thanks

Bob
If all you are doing is capping or plugging the LP line, then that's a flare fitting and no pipe dope is required.  Pipe dope or the various flavors of teflon tape are for sealing the remaining spiral grooves in pipe fittings.  You wold think that since the pipe fittings are tapered the space between the crest of one thread and the valley of the other would be filled up, but it doesn't work that way because steel is more elastic than rubber.

White teflon tape: Water
Yellow teflon tape: hydrocarbons
Red teflon tape: large pipe fittings.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/RectorSeal-No-5-Pipe-Thread-Sealant-Sealant/1087353
1992 Foretravel Grand Villa
U225 SBID Build No. 4134
1986 Rockwood Driftwood
1968 S.I.A.T.A. Spring
1962 Studebaker Lark
1986 Honda VF700C
1983 Honda VF750C
Charlie, the Dog was broken out of jail 24 Oct 2023
N1RPN
AA1OH (H)e who must be obeyed.

Re: Teflon tape for LP line

Reply #2 –
Flare fitting = no tape or sealer

Re: Teflon tape for LP line

Reply #3 –
Teflon tape is for pipe threads used anywhere else just makes a mess.
Peter and Frieda Morin
1999 36ft. U320 Foretravel
Build # 5436
1998 Suzuki Sidekick Sport

Re: Teflon tape for LP line

Reply #4 –
I try not to use teflon tape as when removing a fitting, little pieces get into the pipe and may find their way into regulators, etc. Teflon tape is the #1 cause of aircraft vacuum instrument failure with smoking in the cockpit #2.

I like the can with the teflon paste in it best.

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: Teflon tape for LP line

Reply #5 –
Having had a propane/natural gas license and running numerous gas pipe, everyone is correct.  Nothing on Flared fittings and I like and use teflon paste.  White teflon tape is for pipe an Yellow is for gas.  Much easier to use the paste in my opinion.  Just make sure you don't have any leaks when done.  Check and recheck!
Joe & Dottie Allen
Sold!  December 2023.      2000 U320; build # 5645
Our coach " Maxine"
Motorcade #  15922;  Escapee 150950; FMCA F330833; Boondockers Welcome;  Harvest Hosts;  Thousand Trails
'98 U320 from 2000-'06
USAF '62-'66

"Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for." ―Epicurus

Re: Teflon tape for LP line

Reply #6 –
I agree about the paste.  Replaced my LPG regulator 3 weeks ago and used paste on the pipe fittings.  Checked with Camco LPG leak finder.
Keith
2003 U320 38' #6197

Re: Teflon tape for LP line

Reply #7 –

I switched to this stuff a year or two ago.  Use it on any pipe threads, I haven't used tape for a long time,
Amazon.com: Rectorseal 31631 1/4 Pint Brush Top Tru-Blu Pipe Thread Sealant...

As an Amazon Associate Foretravel Owners' Forum earns from qualifying purchases.
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: Teflon tape for LP line

Reply #8 –
As a pipeline technician I've used literally miles of Teflon tape.  I prefer the thinner tape.  There are correct and incorrect ways to apply teflon tape.  You want to wind the tape in the same direction as the threads. IOW the same direction as if you were screwing on a fitting.  That forces the teflon down into each thread groove.  And you need to make sure there is no tape over the opening of the fitting or pipe. 
I know some of yall like the paste and it does work good.  But once it dries if you have to tighten the fitting again to stop a leak it will probably just make the leak worse.
And here is a picture of a gas pipe we removed from my son's house, his BBQ wasn't getting as hot as he'd like.  Yep, that's a dried glob of paste partially blocking the pipe.
Forest & Cindy Olivier
1987 log cabin
2011 Roadtrek C210P
no longer 1999 36' U320 build #5522
2013 Rzr 570 & 2018 Ranger XP1000
2006 Lexus GX470
2011 Tahoe LT 4x4
Previous 1998 45' 2 slide Newell, 1993 39' Newell

Re: Teflon tape for LP line

Reply #9 –
The paste is supposed to go on the male threads and not down in the female side. Who did this work? If the paste is on the male threads, there will be zero down inside.

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: Teflon tape for LP line

Reply #10 –
I have found teflon tape fails quite often especially in pipe 1 inch and over. I never had
a failure with pipe dope. I mostly use both but if I only use one it's pipe dope.
Peter and Frieda Morin
1999 36ft. U320 Foretravel
Build # 5436
1998 Suzuki Sidekick Sport

Re: Teflon tape for LP line

Reply #11 –
I always been a fan of the thread sticks, been using them for over 40 years with no issues. Water, Air, Gas, etc.  Just make sure you keep the sealer away from the last couple of threads inside to keep it out of the pipe.

Ace Natural Pipe Thread Stick 1 oz - Ace Hardware
Mark & Bev
2001 U295 36' Slide
Cummins ISC 8.3 350HP
Build #5802
Jeep Wrangler Toad

Re: Teflon tape for LP line

Reply #12 –
I use Gasoila on all threaded connections. Was recommended by my son that works in the propane industry. As for flare fittings. Most flare fittings in the US today are made in China. The quality varies widely. When I installed gas shutoff valves in each seperate gas line in my coach I found that some new fittings leaked. I applied a small dab of Gasoila on the male portion of the flared fitting to resolve the leaks.  Gasoila does not dry and stays flexible.

I use Gasoila on all liquid fittings. The stuff is amazing. Also sticks to clothes and cannot be removed. Very difficult to get it off your skin also. Don't ask me how I know that.


Roland
1993 U280 4341
2010 Jeep Liberty
The Pied Pipers

Re: Teflon tape for LP line

Reply #13 –
Quote from: dsd –
Flare fitting = no tape or sealer
But you can use a sealing washer made for flare fittings. Should be tossed after use because they work harden when tightened up. The copper ones can be annealed. Just thought i would throw this is to the mix.
SFG-3 by TRAMEC SLOAN - 3/16" 45° Flare Gasket

Re: Teflon tape for LP line

Reply #14 –
Used those on liquid Oxygen, Nitrogen and Hydrogen at Rocketdyne on the rocket engines. They were called Voi Shan's at that time
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean
 

Re: Teflon tape for LP line

Reply #15 –
Quote from: craneman –
Used those on liquid Oxygen, Nitrogen and Hydrogen at Rocketdyne on the rocket engines. They were called Voi Shan's at that time
BS (before Scott ) my father worked on rocket sleds in Hurricane Utah. Closed down in 1962. Had lots of stories of supersonic monkeys and Beagle dogs. Often the steel brake scoop would shear off and launch the sled off the end of the mesa. Wish I was electronically as smart as him. Full size remote controlled helicopters, but not wireless. Big difference between jet engines then and rockets. Cool stuff for sure.

Hurricane Supersonic Research Site - Wikipedia

Scott