Anyone know how to stop these fittings from leaking?

[APW]

https://www.kleen-ritecorp.com/p-59280-swivel-union-ss-1404-08-08-12-m-x-12-f-in.aspx

I purchased 16 of these stainless steel swivels to replace some nickel plated ones. The nickel plated ones will not leak but the stainless steel ones leak like a sieve. I tightened, loosened and Tefloned, tried everything and still over half of them leak.

 

[Waxman]

remove all of the stainless ones and replace with nickel like you had. return the leaky ones. maybe they are defective.

I 'm sorry; I know that doesn't answer your question, but that is how I'd handle it.

 

[2Biz]

Where are they leaking, on the NPT end or the compression end? You sure you have the right seat angle on the compression end? No tape needed on that end.

 

[APW]

Compression end.

 

[MEP001]

Since the swivel end seals by just pressing tight against the inside of the fitting that it's screwed into, it has to be clean and flat. If you had a high-pressure swivel there on a hose with a steel fitting, the inside is rusted and it can't seal against it. You'll either have to replace the hose end or just use a gun swivel.

 

[OurTown]

The fit is probably not as good on the old part you are connecting. The 316SS is a harder material than the steel plated one so it can't conform as well.

 

[2Biz]

Something else to look out for is the compression angle. There are (2) different JIC fitting angles. 37° and 45°. You have to make sure you have the same angle in both fittings.

 

[MEP001]

It's not flare/JIC, it's pipe thread to pipe thread. I've used them quite a bit and haven't had issues with leaks, but I've always used them on new hose fittings. I did notice they're a lot more expensive than a gun swivel.

Hose fittings are mild steel, so it should conform to seal on the 316 stainless fitting.

 

[APW]

Thanks for all the replies. The nickel plated ones had started to rust and the rust was getting in my valves. That is why I figured I would switch to stainless steel so they would not rust anymore. I'll either go back to nickel plated or use a different kind of swivel.

 

[2Biz]

Did you try putting the compression end together without thread tape? Maybe the threads are bottoming out before the taper?

 

[MEP001]

Or maybe you got some tape on the end of the male fitting and compromised the seal.

 

[APW]

I tried them all without tape first. Then tightened the heck out of all the ones leaking and got all but about 6 to quit leaking. Then I tried Teflon on the rest that were leaking and it didn't do any good. The Teflon was only on the threads. I've had plenty of practice taping fittings. Lol

 

[Mr. Clean]

I've had issues with the galvanized version from K/R leaking due to over tightening. Never had an issue before, so chalked it up defective batch of Chinese mfg.
You may also be experiencing QC issues. I didn't raise issue with the cheap ones, but surely would with SS.