Teflon Tape or Paste
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
Likes: 778
From: Forked River NJ
Teflon Tape or Paste
When assembling fuel line and fitting in pipe threads to pumps or regulators do you use Teflon Tape or the paste in a tube. I have always used tape but have heard that pieces can come off and clog things. So do you use paste or tape? BTW these are aluminum fittings, pipe and AN on the other side. I know nothing on the AN side. 
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
I use either one being careful not to get the tape beyond the threaded area.I don't view the teflon as a thread sealer in this case but as a lubricant for the threads so more pressure can be applied to the seat.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 17,646
Likes: 189
From: Who says "Nothing is impossible" ? I've been doing nothing for years.
I used the yellow teflon tape ( the white will disintegrate ) on a fuel pressure gauge that was not a compression fitting, and it fixed the leak.
Fuel lines should be compression fittings and if they leak they should be replaced, that said the yellow teflon tape will work, be sure not to tape all the way to the ends of the threads
Fuel lines should be compression fittings and if they leak they should be replaced, that said the yellow teflon tape will work, be sure not to tape all the way to the ends of the threads
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!
Joe Kucinski
10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)
Joe Kucinski
10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!
Brett Foote
Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)
Joe Kucinski
Grand Sport & Grand Sport X Launch Alongside All-New 535hp LS6 V8!
Michael S. Palmer
5 Reasons Bad Drivers Crash & 5 Ways to Avoid a Costly Mistake!
Joe Kucinski
7 Bolt-On Upgrades From Extreme Online Store to Level Up Your C6 Corvette
Pouria Savadkouei
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,429
Likes: 0
From: Tucson AZ
I used the yellow teflon tape ( the white will disintegrate ) on a fuel pressure gauge that was not a compression fitting, and it fixed the leak.
Fuel lines should be compression fittings and if they leak they should be replaced, that said the yellow teflon tape will work, be sure not to tape all the way to the ends of the threads
Fuel lines should be compression fittings and if they leak they should be replaced, that said the yellow teflon tape will work, be sure not to tape all the way to the ends of the threads
The yellow teflon tape is, by code, supposed to be used on LP or natural gas connections, AZ code anyway. AN fittings shouldn't need any additive to prevent leaking anyway. My tidbit
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 17,646
Likes: 189
From: Who says "Nothing is impossible" ? I've been doing nothing for years.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
Likes: 778
From: Forked River NJ
I agree on the compression fitting but how do you have a compression fitting on a filter when the in/out is a pipe thread. The same is on a fuel rail that has pipe threads.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 5,284
Likes: 235
From: Rockledge FL
i have used a little paste on the carb entry lines.
every single new carb i ever put on with brand new fitting always leak without it.
AN fittings have never leaked dry but i dont want to go through the process of adapting my holley to AN fittings now that the leaks have stopped.
maybe its just me
every single new carb i ever put on with brand new fitting always leak without it.
AN fittings have never leaked dry but i dont want to go through the process of adapting my holley to AN fittings now that the leaks have stopped.
maybe its just me
Racer
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 401
Likes: 0
From: IL
Have used both paste and tape on AN fittings. Preference based on application for appearance as no difference in performance. If tape wrapped correctly no issues, excess paste is easily wiped off for cleaner look. Paste is quicker.
As mentioned, each is lubricant to prevent galling of the NPT style threads. Only light oil is used on SAE o'ring AN fittings, no sealer.
As mentioned, each is lubricant to prevent galling of the NPT style threads. Only light oil is used on SAE o'ring AN fittings, no sealer.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,729
Likes: 267
From: Austin Texas
Corvette of the Year Winner 2017
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
I have been using fittings for a very long time,
Paste is generally the best option, and cleanest looking,
tape can look sloopy, and if done wrong small bits of tape,
can end up in the wrong places, " like in the carb. orffices "
Dry fittings..... try taking 1 apart after a few years,
not to mention the oppurtunity for leaks.
use the paste on the threads only, not the Ferrules. 69VETT
Paste is generally the best option, and cleanest looking,
tape can look sloopy, and if done wrong small bits of tape,
can end up in the wrong places, " like in the carb. orffices "
Dry fittings..... try taking 1 apart after a few years,
not to mention the oppurtunity for leaks.
use the paste on the threads only, not the Ferrules. 69VETT
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,429
Likes: 0
From: Tucson AZ