I'm trying to figure out if Teflon tape would melt on my fuel fittings at the fuel rail. I soaked the yellow over night in a jar of fuel and it held up great. Now I'm wondering if it might melt out when the motor gets up to temp. I'm thinking it may be a good thing for it to melt in to the threads? Maybe seal even better. I could put it the oven when I get it all back together and see. Maybe 300 degrees? More or less? I'm using the heat shields and I have the ceramic coated header from MSA. Appreciate any replies.

Thanks

Cliff

Edit: sorry, I forgot the Wikipedia page. It says 621 F.

Edited October 12, 201212 yr by siteunseen

Really? REALLY?

Applied as a non-stick coating to the surfaces of pots and pans set directly on an open flame on top of a stove by millions of consumers and you're worried about Teflon MELTING?

I hope you're laughing at yourself about now!

Yeah, I'm laughing.

I've worked a little bit with Teflon and learned a few things. "Teflon" is actually a Dupont trademark for a wide variety of PTFE-based materials. So "Teflon" can have a wide range of properties. But, in general, PTFE doesn't actually melt, it is just formable at a certain high temperature. The PTFE plumbing tape you're talking about is probably fine on the fuel rail at engine temperatures. I've used it there and had no problems and it was intact when I took the piece off later. The biggest problem that people report with using PTFE tape on fuel fittings is the little threads and pieces that tend to break off as it's used. They get in to the fuel system, don't dissolve or break down, and can clog things up, or jam things open. But if you're careful it shouldn't be a problem.

I actually just used Permatex High Heat PTFE Thread Sealer. It says fully cured in 72 hours, so after that I'm baking it my oven set to at least 300 F. Then polishing up like Zedy_Kenobi's. If it leaks again I'll have the fittings brazed in. Also they're will be a fire extinguisher behind the seat from now on. Thanks for the replies.

Cliff

I would direct you to the Locktite PTFE thread sealent (paste) It's wonderful stuff. It was we used on all the fuel and fluid fittings requiring sealent on flight hardware back when I worked in an aerospace lab. NEVER HAD A LEAK ON ANYTHING WITH THAT STUFF!

BTW, heat shouldn't be a problem.

Edited October 13, 201212 yr by 5thhorsemann