Bulkhead Sealing... To Silicone or Not to Silicone

[HerbieK]

I was in the process of leak testing my plumbing with two one inch bulkheads. I have one that leaked, and another that did not leak. Does anyone have any experience siliconing a bulhead?

Are there any drawbacks???


Any input is appreciated.

Thanks.

Herb

 

[concept3]

I tend NOT to silicone them. Just make sure you wipe the rubber clean with alcohol first. It may have a little bit of debris stuck in between.

 

[Brian]

I've done it both ways, although after I siliconed the first 2 bulkheads that I did, I read to NOT silicone them, so I stopped siliconing them. Both sets are working fine.

 

[grgdnh]

I have always been told not silicone bulkheads, if they leak I have always had luck loosening them up and recentering the bulkhead. I've also learned the hard way never tighten 1/4 turn past hand tight (cracked a 150).

 

[HerbieK]

Also note that I have the threads to the inside of the sump. It looks like when I turn the nut, the rubber may be spinning along with the nut.

 

[concept3]

AH- makes more sense why they could be leaking now. I did the same for my sump. I placed the rubber gasket on the outside instead of against the nut. Try that...mine stopped leaking, but there is a very tiny bit of salt creep. Try using a little bit of vaseline on the rubber to facilitate sealing

 

[panmanmatt]

The gasket always goes on the flange side of the bulkhead, not the nut side. Doesn't matter if the flange is inside or outside the tank always put gasket on the flange side.

 

[jazzsam]

I would not silacone. If there is a leak maybe the bulhead is cracked? Mine was and I just replaced it and everything is fine.

 

[AnDom1]

Herb...Do not silicone...Instead, follow Matt's advice and place the gasket on the flange side. To help ensure a solid seal make sure the gasket and flange are clean, then apply a (very) little Vaseline to the gasket and hand tighten the nut. Has always workeed for me.

Hope this helps.

Dom

 

[Jcurry@wesketch]

The gasket should go against the flange and be on the "wet" side. For extra insurance I put a little bead of silicone on the outside of the sump/nut side. Don't over tighten because you'll deform the gasket and get a leak or possibly crack the tank.

 

[panmanmatt]

It doesn't matter if the flange is on the "wet" or "dry" side. What matters is that the gasket is on the flange side. Either way the gasket is sealed between the flange and tank and creates a tight seal.