Leaking

[Motoxpro32s]

I have a D5 pump, 6002, maze 4, and a BIXII. I keep geting leaks coming in and out of the radiator. At first i just but the plastic barbs in there but it started leakin like crazy so ive been tring electrical tape since then. Whan can I do to stop this? Do i need a diferent pard maybe there to small? what did you guys do?

[Wet Neophyte]

Maybe someone can chime in with more exp, but did you check for a micro crack in the barb......maybe some plumbers cement

[MVC]

I'd swap out the barbs, just in case they're the problem. But, when you put new ones in, use RTV silicone sealant rather than tape. The RTV works a lot better and once it sets there's no way you'll get any leaks.

Oh, and remove the electrical tape! That stuff is way to thick to provide any type of seal for the threads so if it's doing anything, it's making the problem worse.

[Acurax]

You using teflon tape on those barbs? If so, are you using enough?

Maybe try a bead of some clear silicone sealant around the fitting if it still leaks.

EDIT: MVC for the win!

[JudgeDredd]

I'd say teflon tape. You can usually find it for about a dollar at hardware stores. Although I don't fully understand where the leaks are coming from by the way you worded it.

[MVC]

Whoa, let's try this again--it's been a long day. This may be a stupid question, but... If this is a Danger Den BIX II, you did instal the o-rings on the barbs, right? And, if it is a Danger Den BIX II don't bother trying to swap out the barbs. Danger Den uses 9/16 NSF threads on those barbs and good luck trying to find those anywhere but at Danger Den.

Unless the barbs are visibly damaged, just make sure the o-ring is seated at the top of the threads, put a light coat of RTV on the threads and then tighten it down until the o-ring just barely starts to deform (squish out) and then let it sit for 30 minutes. It should work fine.

[Motoxpro32s]

the leaks are coming from where u thread the the barbs for the radiator in. I guess if i cant get it fixed ill try some new barbs, do they sell those at harware stores or do i have to order them?

[MVC]

the leaks are coming from where u thread the the barbs for the radiator in. I guess if i cant get it fixed ill try some new barbs, do they sell those at harware stores or do i have to order them?
Is it a Danger Den BIX II? If it's from Danger Den you'll almost certainly have to order the barbs from them because of the thread specification they use (most barbs, in the US, have NPT specification threads and Danger Den is using custom made barbs with NSF specification threads on the Black Ice radiators).

[sunrunner20]

You also have the option of just RTV'ing AROUND the barbs. Its usefull for those situations where you can't get it inside the threads, or as an extra precation.

[Motoxpro32s]

where can i ger rtv? and does it come in a tube?

[sunrunner20]

You can get it at pretty much any supply store (Home Depot, Lowes etc.) And, yea it comes in a squeez tube. Just ask the people for RTV.

[situman]

take the barbs out and use plumbers tape. Wrap it around the threads about 5 times and tightened by hand until u cant turn it anymore. THen make a half turn with a wrench. Sounds like it isnt sealing correctly.

[MVC]

Plumber's tape (aka teflon tape) can work OK if used properly on NSF threads since they're not tapered like the NTP threads. But, plumber's tape likes to shed little parts of itself so you do need to be careful not to have any of it "loose" inside the fitting or you will find little pieces of it floating about inside your loop or clogging your blocks. If you've got NTP threaded fittings you shouldn't use plumbers tape at all. The tapered nature of these fittings just about ensures that any tape on the inner-most threads will wind up loose inside the fitting and it will start to shed.

[voigts]

I still prefer plumber's thread compound any day over teflon tape. Plumb a couple of houses and you will see what I mean. It is a lot easier to work with and works flawlessly. RTV can work well also.

[MVC]

The plumber's thread compound is excellent for sealing, but aesthetically it leaves something to be desired. Especially when it starts absorbing colored additives in your loop and then "allows" them to discolor. I had a loop of distilled and Zerex and the plumber's compound first turned a pinkish color (from the Zerex) and then eventually aged into a funky greenish/blue color (probably some type of growth) while the rest of the loop stayed the normal redish Zerex color. I've never had clear RTV discolor so I'll stick with that.

[voigts]

I haven't run into this same problem, but using RTV in that case makes sense.

[honhon]

if you were using the plastic barbs and having a problem i would personally use a bit of plumbers tape and then try a brass barb, and that should probably work

[Motoxpro32s]

Thanks guy I just RTVed around the barbs and i have no leaks whatsoever no im happy.