98 custom problem

GI JOES SON wrote: stupid question....can teflon tape be used in place of locktite?

LocTite is referred to as a thread locker. Its intended use is to prevent loosening of screws, bolts and nuts that are subjected to vibration. Using Teflon with the power valve screws  may actually lubricate them so they would loosen more easily.

Teflon tape is actually intended to lubricate tapered pipe threads so they can be tightened far enough to seal. Tapered threads are a design that is supposed to be self sealing because they are designed to get tighter and tighter eventually becoming an interference fit. In actual application it was found that steel to steel pipe fittings would sometimes gall before they were tight enough to actually seal.

Lubricating them with oil was an option that worked but in some applications that lubricating oil was a contaminate to what ever was being carried through the pipe. Particularly in oxygen systems, oil could not be used.

Teflon tape became the "lubricant" of choice because it was squeezed thinner and thinner in the tightening of the pipe threaded joint allow high quality seals. The Teflon that was trapped between the threads also sealed areas that did not fit up as tightly as desired.

The small diameter (10-32) and shallow non-tapered threads of the valve screws  does not allow the Teflon to do much more than lubricate the fit...not allowing it to get really tight because the small screws could not take the torque anyway.

Use a medium strength thread locker on the power valve screws. Note that in that thread locking application, immediate use may not allow the bond to set up enough to prevent the screws from loosening. The bonded joint should be allowed to set up for at least 20 minutes. Use the blue gel type thread locker. The blue liquid will work also.

bassist11 wrote: lol. lots of info. you are quite knowledgable in teflon tape. thanks though. maybe i just didn't let my loctite sit long enough. thanks for the help.

When actually used as a thread locker on the power valve screws it needs to be allow to set up for the time as directed in the instructions on the container or display card.

If you read the directions on the Loc Tite material it recommends using the red (high strength) thread locker on screws smaller than 1/4". The 10-32 screws that hold the power valve in place are definitely smaller. I have had excellent success with the blue colored sealant. But, in this case the, if these screws have loosened on you in the past, the red Loc Tite may be the better choice.

ya bad news. i tightened up my screws right before we went paintballin today, and one of the is stripped. i must have gotten carried away in making sure they were tight. i played a game without one of the screws but it started actin up on me. i'll try and find this stripped screw thread.

the screw hole in my valve is stripped i guess. called tippmann not too long ago and they are sending me a new valve. should i just use red loctite to make sure those screws stay put?