Teflon tape required?

[KCAlis]

I’ve identified which black plastic fitting is leaking on the back of my Nautilus panel. Of course it’s in the middle of all of the fittings and all but inaccessible.

I don’t see any way to fix the leak without disassembling many of the cold and hot connections. My fear is fixing one leak and creating others. I have teflon tape and slip-jaw pliers so not a problem material or toolwise.

Are the connections NPT or flare? Does anyone know if the black plastic threaded fittings require teflon tape to seal? (They are all taped now.)

 

[Terri&KevinGates]

Not sure about the teflon tape but the one I had leaking I was able to tighten with a basin wrench. Harbor freight has one for $6.

 

[RoadJunkie]

Teflon tape should not be used with cone-washer connections. Also, I bought THIS type of wrench to help tighten these types of connections.

 

[KCAlis]

I had that niggly feeling that Teflon tape wasn’t required. Thanks. And thanks to both of you for wrench suggestions.

I need to pick up a wrench and spare cone washers before I take up leak mitigation. Methinks I will have everything on the back of the Nautilus panel torn apart before I’m done!

 

[George]

Careful with the wrenches. Swivel fittings can be over tightened too.
https://a.co/d/fFT5lDr or https://a.co/d/eyA3S8H for cone washers. I've always used santoprene.

 

[KCAlis]

Finished reworking all 12 connections 2 days ago. I put all 12 back together with santoprene washers and NO teflon. One fitting seeped on startup. A little coax with my slip-joint pliers changed its mind. 👍

I think an added benefit will be improved flow! The first fitting behind the garden hose inlet connection was half restricted by teflon crossing the opening! It was actually stretched tight. I tugged on it and caused the slack. Sloppy and preventable workmanship.

I took the opportunity to replace the water heater anode. 16 months old and all but gone. Hopefully no tank corrosion, yet!