Sealing gas line connections

[Buccaneer]

I've got a 3-way CO2 distributor and all of the connections/plugs are 'sealed' with white teflon tape. It's leaking like crazy and, based on what I've been able to find, that's to be expected. So, what can I do to solve the problem? Take it all apart and use a thicker layer (ie, more wraps) of the white tape? Move a step up to the yellow PTFE tape, which is typically rated for gas? Some other solution?

[Swine]

If leaking in the thread area, then take apart and more tape.
Be sure to wrap the tape in the proper direction so that it doesn't get 'unwound' when threading in the fitting, this can cause leaks (in the hydraulic world anyway).

[Buccaneer]

Yeah, it's leaking at the threads. The white tape was already in place when I got the distributor, so it definitely could be a case of not enough tape and/or wrapped in the wrong direction.

[redoubt]

If it's the tape that came on the unit, that's your problem. Most reviews of this sort of thing say to pull it apart and re-tape it yourself. It's a small job, and makes a big difference. Ours has been good since we re-taped.

Cheers,
Keely.

[Buccaneer]

Did you use the white tape or the thicker yellow stuff?

[mikeorr]

I discovered today that my CO2 tank is empty - AGAIN. I'm suspecting my 3-way distributor is leaking as well. Guess I'm going to try this as well.

[RubberToe]

Those manifolds really need to be taken apart, cleaned, and retaped before using. I got a few and the tape job was really shitty. There was also tons of aluminum filings throughout - I'd hate to drink that. I redid all mine and no problems after that.

[RossBee]

I'm not using tape anymore, started using Pipe Dope, found it much more effective. Careful attention has to be paid during the application not to get it where you don't want it.

[CorneliusAlphonse]

Some part of my co2 system leaks very slowly, my solution is to keep my tank off most of the time and just turn it on to carb or to top up when serving. Might fix the leak sometime...

[redoubt]

Did you use the white tape or the thicker yellow stuff?

Just white.

-Keely.

[Buccaneer]

Some part of my co2 system leaks very slowly, my solution is to keep my tank off most of the time and just turn it on to carb or to top up when serving. Might fix the leak sometime...

Being lazy, this is a great idea, since taking the whole thing apart and fixing it is a lot of effort. However, turning the thing on and off every time is also lots of work (in the long term, plus I'd have to remember to do it - the brain ain't what it used to be). Over time, I think I will achieve greater laziness by just fixing the leak now.

[bluenose]

glad I saw this thread, I was about to setup my new two-way manifold tonight