Teflon Tape On CTS????
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
From: Cincinnati, Ohio
Teflon Tape On CTS????
I have searched the archives regarding the use of teflon tape on a CTS.
Seeing conflicting opinions. Can anyone say for sure what effect (if any) teflon tape will have on the CTS? Talking about a 1988.
Thanks
Seeing conflicting opinions. Can anyone say for sure what effect (if any) teflon tape will have on the CTS? Talking about a 1988.
Thanks
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 54,124
Likes: 30
From: Cincinnati, Oh USA
Most sensors rely on an electrical connection from the threaded body of the sensor to the block. If you put teflon tape around the threads, it is possible to electrically insulate the body of the sensor from the block which is connected to the negative terminal of the battery.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,118
Likes: 0
From: St. Charles, MO Route 66 Corvette Club
The preferred sealant is teflon paste. Put a small amount of this on the threads, rub the paste into the CTS threads and screw her it. Do not use an excessive amount of the paste. You can get the teflon paste at Home Depot, Lowes, etc. The paste prevents leakage of coolant and allows the sensor to make electrical contact with the metal of the engine. The electrical contact is essential for the CTS to provide a signal to the ECM.
Last edited by Sam Lam; Oct 31, 2007 at 07:16 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 13,958
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From: WI
I always use the automotive teflon paste, it is high temp where as the pipe paste is not. I have found it to not get dry and crumbly in some applications. If the pipe stuff gets that way, replace it with the automotive. I too use some on the back end of the threads, mine leaked without some.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2006
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From: MD
If the sensor has two wires (one is a ground) then you can use anything on the threads and it's ok. If it's an older 1-wire sensor it grounds through the threads and the sealant must be electrically conductive. Teflon paste, tape, whatever are all insulators. If it's a 1-wire sensor I wouldn't put anything on it that it didn't come with unless the directions it comes with tell you otherwise.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,566
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From: Mt Laurel NJ
St. Jude Donor '06-'07
If the sensor has two wires (one is a ground) then you can use anything on the threads and it's ok. If it's an older 1-wire sensor it grounds through the threads and the sealant must be electrically conductive. Teflon paste, tape, whatever are all insulators. If it's a 1-wire sensor I wouldn't put anything on it that it didn't come with unless the directions it comes with tell you otherwise.
Randy
Race Director
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St. Jude Donor '07
Teflon tape will not negatively affect continuity. The threads are sharp enough to cut thru the tape enough to ensure proper contact. Thread sealants are all designed to fill the 'valleys.'
Proof: Use some tape. Thread it in until tight. Remove it. You will see threads. Teflon tape is no match against metal on metal under that pressure.
Proof: Use some tape. Thread it in until tight. Remove it. You will see threads. Teflon tape is no match against metal on metal under that pressure.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
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From: The Top of Utah
Teflon tape is not guaranteed to cause problems. It has the potential, if applied too thickly, to impair conductivity where conductivity it is needed. Many have used Teflon tape with NO problems, including me. Many have used Teflon tape and HAD problems, including me (if some's good, more's better, etc). If you use it on a device that must ground well to work properly, pay attention not to use too much. If you have a selection handy, the risk of problems are reduced by using a paste type sealant. As stated, oft times no sealant at all will be leak proof. It is hard to imagine a thread this basic and simple has 14 posts.
RACE ON!!!
RACE ON!!!
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,566
Likes: 4
From: Mt Laurel NJ
St. Jude Donor '06-'07
Teflon tape will not negatively affect continuity. The threads are sharp enough to cut thru the tape enough to ensure proper contact. Thread sealants are all designed to fill the 'valleys.'
Proof: Use some tape. Thread it in until tight. Remove it. You will see threads. Teflon tape is no match against metal on metal under that pressure.
Proof: Use some tape. Thread it in until tight. Remove it. You will see threads. Teflon tape is no match against metal on metal under that pressure.
Teflon tape is not guaranteed to cause problems. It has the potential, if applied too thickly, to impair conductivity where conductivity it is needed. Many have used Teflon tape with NO problems, including me. Many have used Teflon tape and HAD problems, including me (if some's good, more's better, etc). If you use it on a device that must ground well to work properly, pay attention not to use too much. If you have a selection handy, the risk of problems are reduced by using a paste type sealant. As stated, oft times no sealant at all will be leak proof. It is hard to imagine a thread this basic and simple has 14 posts.
RACE ON!!!
RACE ON!!!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 5,356
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From: No HOA, New Hampshire
Cruise-In X Veteran
St. Jude Donor '09
If you understand the physics of a threaded joint of any kind, bolt-nut or pipe-coupling, There has to be surface contact on the threads. Otherwise they will loosen or corrode. I use copper-based never-sieze on any connection that has the temp fluctuation of an automobile. My 1&1/2 cs' worth.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,753
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From: backwoods upstate ny
tell a pipefitter or plumber (guys that work with pipe thread connections five days a week) that you want them to put any threaded joint together ''dry'' -- they'll laugh in your face and walk off the job..''reworks'' of leakers are not desireable.
i prefer teflon based goo, light coat, get your finger dirty spreading the goo around and down into the male pipe threads...never dope up a female (pipe fitting)
not a prob except on some alum intakes with minimal alum around the threaded holes, the teflon sealants can reduce friction enough to allow the installed male fitting to ''wedge'' and break the manifold...do not overtighten.
i prefer teflon based goo, light coat, get your finger dirty spreading the goo around and down into the male pipe threads...never dope up a female (pipe fitting)
not a prob except on some alum intakes with minimal alum around the threaded holes, the teflon sealants can reduce friction enough to allow the installed male fitting to ''wedge'' and break the manifold...do not overtighten.
Pro
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 583
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From: Pittsburgh PA
If you understand the physics of a threaded joint of any kind, bolt-nut or pipe-coupling, There has to be surface contact on the threads. Otherwise they will loosen or corrode. I use copper-based never-sieze on any connection that has the temp fluctuation of an automobile. My 1&1/2 cs' worth.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 5,356
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From: No HOA, New Hampshire
Cruise-In X Veteran
St. Jude Donor '09
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
Teflon tape will not negatively affect continuity. The threads are sharp enough to cut thru the tape enough to ensure proper contact. Thread sealants are all designed to fill the 'valleys.'
Proof: Use some tape. Thread it in until tight. Remove it. You will see threads. Teflon tape is no match against metal on metal under that pressure.
Proof: Use some tape. Thread it in until tight. Remove it. You will see threads. Teflon tape is no match against metal on metal under that pressure.
