Leaky tap... (on FV!)

[Manx Guy]

Hi,

I have a (little bottler compatible)tap on my 2nd FV which is very tricky to seal....

I've used a larger rubber washer front and back as well as PTFE tape on the thread and a little vaseline on the outside...
But it still leaks!

Would it be ok to use some sealant on it?
I obviously dont want it to taint my beer or poison anyone... would the aquarium type one be better as they dont poison the fish?

Help!!

[OldSpeckledBadger]

Make sure the sealant is food-safe.

[Manx Guy]

Thanks
Thats what I thought...

But I've struggled to find anything specificly labeled 'food safe'...
The nearest I got was the aquarium sealer which said 'non toxic' - will not harm your fish.... lol
I'll keep looking for a specific food safe one, but if any one can recomend a particular sealant that would be a great help!

[mooj]

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=24515

[Manx Guy]

Mooj, thanks mate!

Ordered some off ebay!

Result!


Slainte!

[wortburner]

Err, first post and everything, but, wont the fungicide in that sealant kill the yeast, if you are using it in a fermenter?

[Manx Guy]

Hmmm...

You may have a point there...
I hadn't thought of that...

Now what?

[vacant]

I use blue hylomar in emergencies. I read through the data/hazard sheets online first, the solvent is toxic but once that has evaporated the sealant in inert.

As for fungicide in food-grade sealant, yeast trying to attach itself to the sealant would have a hard time but the surface area exposed to your 23 litres of wort is negligible.

[mooj]

Hi Manx Guy - Sorry I think I should have pointed out that I would avoid using a sealant if possible. You should get a decent seal with only one rubber seal (on the outside of the fv). I can't help thinking that having a seal on the inside could actually be causing the problem. Especially if the tap has a taper thread like the quickserve type, because the nut will not get enough bite on the thread.

Other than that is the tap or nut thread damaged? Or, is the tap hole in the fv too big or with jagged edges?

Sorry if you covered all these bases.

[Manx Guy]

Hi
the whole does have uneven edges...
I used a wholw saw but the FV moved during the process...

It leaked worse without the washer at the back...
Its not a quick serve tap, its the one that comes with the 'little bottler complete'...
I'll check the tap and thread and see if thats the problem also...


Thanks!

[Manx Guy]

Hi,

A quick update....

I dismatled the tap assembly and used a small peice of 400 grade wet & dry to remove the rough edges...

Guess what?

10l has so far stayed in the FV no drips or dribbles so far!


Hopefully it will stay leak proof...


Thanks for all your help, I'm amazed that the solution was so simple really...

Slainte!

[mooj]

Excellent news!

[sladeywadey]

dredging up an older post..

I recently bought another fv and fitted a little bottler complete tap also - same problem. Leaks more than a Downing st mole.

I will try the wet/dry route.

[Manx Guy]

Hi,

See how you get on...

I've since used this second Fv about 4-5 times now (mainly for bottling) and it hasn't leaked once....

I was amazed the solution (in my case) was so simple.....

Slainte!

[sladeywadey]

will have a go in a bit thanks. did you stick with using ptfe tape?