Teflon tape or nylon washer on regulator mfl connection

[stadelman]

I have a regulator that has a mfl connection on it.

This ends up being a metal to metal connection.

What do you think about using teflon tape or a nylon washer on this type of connection?

Teflon tape here is a pain to clean up and I don't know if it even helps.

A nylon washer probably does help, but the ones I've got make the female flare connection really difficult to put on. When the washer engages, it makes the nut very difficult to turn.

Are either of these helpful or needed?

[Weenie Boy]

Flare connections should not require either a washer or teflon tape. Flare fittings are usually made for medium pressure gas connections and can be used for liquid as well.
Sometimes the flare ends get burrs on them or are nicked. If this is the case, you can either re-flare the end or take some emery cloth to it.
Flare fittings are supposed to be metal to metal.


Weenie Boy

[Nyakavt]

Teflon tape is only useful on joints that seal at the threads (i.e. pipe threads). Since flare fittings seal on the face, the teflon tape does nothing for you back at the threads.

I do use flared nylon washers (item K127 at NB) on all my metal to metal flared connections as extra insurance against leaks, especially with gas. All of the keg QDs have a rubber washer built in to the flared end, so it's really no different. This may not be strictly necessary, but I'd rather not find out with an empty CO2 bottle

[stadelman]

Thanks.

Do you find it difficult to turn the flare nut when a washer is in place?

Teflon tape is only useful on joints that seal at the threads (i.e. pipe threads). Since flare fittings seal on the face, the teflon tape does nothing for you back at the threads.

I do use flared nylon washers (item K127 at NB) on all my metal to metal flared connections as extra insurance against leaks, especially with gas. All of the keg QDs have a rubber washer built in to the flared end, so it's really no different. This may not be strictly necessary, but I'd rather not find out with an empty CO2 bottle

[Nyakavt]

Thanks.

Do you find it difficult to turn the flare nut when a washer is in place?

Maybe a little more difficult to get it started on the threads since you have to make sure the washer is seated properly, but I tighten it with a wrench so I don't really notice it being more difficult to turn.

[stadelman]

Same for me.

I had a very slow leak that I believe that I traced back to the flare connection on the regulator. Adding a washer fixed this. I think on metal to metal flare connections a washer is a must.

[brewranger]

I do use flared nylon washers (item K127 at NB) on all my metal to metal flared connections as extra insurance against leaks, especially with gas.

+1

[Kbar]

Flare connections should not require either a washer or teflon tape. Flare fittings are usually made for medium pressure gas connections and can be used for liquid as well.
Sometimes the flare ends get burrs on them or are nicked. If this is the case, you can either re-flare the end or take some emery cloth to it.
Flare fittings are supposed to be metal to metal.


Weenie Boy

+1 - SAE45 J512/513 fittings do not need the washer nor teflon on the threads. I always get a laugh out of people's installs when I see teflon tape on straight thread connections. get it out of there!!!