Aren't NPT fittings in good working order supposed to be self sealing? That said, so much of this stuff is black magic and everyone has their own take on it. I haven't had any leaks on the fittings that I can see yet, so I'm not considering sealant. If I did, I might have thought about it.

When I replaced the fittings, things smelled pretty skunked though.

Pat, any input on what you think is going on?

 

Nope... not NPT. And no it isn't black magic unlike someone who's still "practicing"

Here's a great pictorial write up on threads: https://www.huyett.com/getmedia/3ded....aspx?ext=.pdf

 

The teflon lubricates the threads, so they tighten up enough to seal.

I thought I replied to this already, something about no restrictor. Anyways I would do no restrictor, and reseal the NPT threads with teflon. Prob not tight enough to seal if you put it together without teflon.

 

The thing behind the no tape idea is that teflon tape can clog oil supply. The liquid or paste is fine. I used black silicone on mine and it worked.

 

Ah thanks for that. I thought the fittings for the turbo feed were of the SAE-LT style, i.e. self sealing. I have no issues using teflon thread sealant (not tape). I have some handy and it's good stuff!

Side note: weren't you running a restrictor on your JB turbo?

I do have the restrictor in right now, but it's before the feed to the turbo. Wouldn't removing the restrictor increase the pressure in the CHRA if that's what is causing the issue? I can always try it and put it back in i I need to.

If I end up taking things out and putting everything back together, I'll use the teflon sealant. That said, I did switch out the fittings because I definitely had a leak AT the fittings previously. The new fittings seem to have fixed that leak. I could feel the wet oil spots around the exposed threads previously, but not anymore. I guess I can start fresh and order all new fittings and use the liquid sealant and see if that changes anything as well as leave the restrictor out this time. That said, I've seen lots of old posts of folks using a pop rivet as a restrictor with these turbos because they definitely had oil burning if they didn't use one

Thanks for all the input so far guys. I know folks have often found many things that have worked for them, but I'm trying to get something together to try next weekend when I finish up this rotation and can breathe a tiny bit.

 

Yes, I run a .060" restrictor because that's what Garret specs for JB turbos and I figured they would know. Also, I put PTFE paste on all threaded connections in the beginning.

No leaks.

If you decide to "tighten" the block fitting at the sender location be careful. They can snap or crack pretty easy then you have real problems.

If it says NPT it isn't self-sealing.

 

Which block fitting are you referring to? I used the teflon thread sealant paste on the feed line where the fitting enters the block! Just didn't do it on the turbo side!

 

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That's the one.

 

TEFLON TAPE IS NOT A SEALANT!!!!!!

It's a lubricant, used to make sure that you don't snap something before you have enough force on the threads to self-seal.

 

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Like it was said before... it's not a sealant. It's a lubricant to make sure you can tighten things enough to get a seal. Not the same thing. It's not semantics at all, it's a totally different function.

 

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That wasn't any sort of criticism of you, your knowledge base, or your advice.

Those two things are totally different. The enzymes I know and the number of cars you've worked on has nothing to do with anything. What do my actions during rounds have to do with anything?

Your response is pretty overkill for just having been told that there's a difference between things that reduce friction and things that seal threads... Especially when you brushed it off as semantics when it's not. I mean...why call a radiator a radiator when you can just call it an alternator, right?
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Yeesh...

Thanks for the advice I guess? Next time I'll take the tip and start referring to things by using incorrect terminology.

 

Radiators don't radiate heat, why call it a radiator? It's primary mode of exchanging heat is via convection. Yet everyone calls them radiators (including yourself) and nobody goes around pointing out that terminology is technically inaccurate. End of the day they cool your engine.

He was trying to help, give him a break. Go fix your leak and have fun.

 

I genuinely appreciate his help.

I just thought his response was way over the top. Granted, I was being a tad bit pedantic. Apologies for that.