Old timer told me to stop using Teflon tape on hydraulic fittings...

I had this older mechanic named Hank who used to work at the shop down the street. He saw me wrapping Teflon tape on a JIC fitting for a hydraulic line on a backhoe and just shook his head. Told me I was asking for trouble because the tape can shred off and get into the system. I thought he was being old fashioned but sure enough about two months later I had a valve sticking on a skid steer. Pulled it apart and found little pieces of tape gumming everything up. Replaced all the lines with copper paste and never had that issue again. Has anyone else seen Teflon tape cause real damage in a hydraulic system?

3 comments

3 Comments

paul34626d ago

Used to swear by the tape till I found a chunk in a pump.

rowan226d ago

Keep finding duct tape confetti in my fuel filter now, its like a sad little arts and crafts project.

kelly.nora23d ago

Is it possible the tape itself was fine but the adhesive broke down from something specific, like ethanol in the gas? I had a buddy swear the same thing happened to him, but then he realized he'd been using that cheap hardware store stuff instead of the actual automotive grade. Not saying you did that, just wondering if the formulation changed over the years on what you had. Some of the older tapes had a different glue that turned into jelly when it hit certain fuels, while newer ones are supposed to be better but then you get these random chunks if it sits too long.