to use or not to use teflon tape??

[Chevyllac]

is it a good idea to use teflon tape on the hose that goes into the power steering pump?? or should I just insert the line and tightend it as much as possible??

[hellbent72]

I would use 2-3 wraps of tape around the threads not so much as to seal the connection but for as a thread lube so it is easier on the threads. And it will make breaking the connection easier later if you have to change it. Not so much tape the the fitting cannot fully seat and compress and seal just a little tape imo
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[cdowns]

teflon tape is good on toilets

[da-burb]

you do not need tape on a flared fitting. The seal is made at the flare, not at the threads.

[68gmsee]

As above -- I never use teflon tape on my vehicles. About the only thing I was tempted to use it on was a water pump fitting that was leaking. I used sealer instead.

[truckster]

Teflon tape is for pipe threads. As mentioned previously, your power steering uses flare fittings. Teflon tape defeats the purpose of the flare.

If you're worried about the fittings seizing, I'd use a little anti-seize on them.

If you decide to use teflon tape on your pipe fittings (oil pressure sender, for example) make sure you use the stuff rated for chemical environments. It's usually yellow, but I've seen pink as well.

[WIDESIDE72]

Be sure that both sides of the flare arent damaged and tighten and loosen the fitting several times to get the surfaxes to mate instead of just trightening the pi$$ out of it once.
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[Tinkermc]

I must agree with the household plumming for teflon tape and the way the flare tightens.

[ecgate]

Teflon tape is a lubricant and not a sealant. Don't let anybody ever tell you that Teflon tape is used to seal a joint, because it isn't. It is used to lube your threads.

[elf w/capital T]

No.

[rcrahn]

No teflon tape. Permatex makes a pneumatic/hydraulic sealant (automotive grade) in a blue bottle, item #54540. Use that if needed.

[truckster]

Originally Posted by ecgate

Teflon tape is a lubricant and not a sealant. Don't let anybody ever tell you that Teflon tape is used to seal a joint, because it isn't. It is used to lube your threads.

Sorry, I have to disagree with you there. It's definitely used in the plumbing industry to seal pipe threads. ASTM standards consider it a thread sealer when properly applied.

[Rufton]

I like to use teflon tape in some automotive applications. Apply in a manor that minimizes chance of teflon strands contaminating plumbing. It has stopped leaky threads, prevented rubber hoses bonding to nipples, does not wash out like other non-hardening sealers and antiseize, doesn't dry out, can re-torque any time. Not good in applications where strands difficult to remove upon disassembly.

[philB]

good answer, use correctly, 2 to 3 threads from the end with 2-3 wraps (depending on thread condition) will help seal and differant color for differant applications, not for flare fittings, if you apply some anti seize to outside of tubing and not overtight nut shopuld work fine.

[Square_78]

Don't use Teflon tape. Use loctite 545 hydraulic automotive thread sealant. Good up to 3000psi. Used it on all my air ride fittings and zero leaks first try.
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[philB]

yes, that has it's place, just have to know where and how to use products.

[Rufton]

I just bought another $6.00 0.20 oz tube of that permatex thread sealant 59214 for an intake job.
Buying those liquid gold sealants is getting old.
Tempted to use teflon tape on that intake application but I'll probably use the $$$ sealant again.