Leak at Bulkhead due to Loc Line

[radav88]

After months of knocking little projects off my to do list and fixing an issue with my overflow that took way longer than I would have liked to fix, my tank's return pump is on and water is flowing. I've already fixed one leak which thankfully was an easy fix (Thank you to everyone who suggested using unions at various points in your plumbing.) . The issue I'm having now is, I installed loc line on my returns and it caused a leak at the bulkhead on both. Without the loc line, no leak everything is fine. If I wanted to keep the loc line I'm unsure how to fix the issue. Any thoughts?

 

[blaxsun]

Can you post an image or illustration indicating where the leak is? Thanks.

 

[radav88]

Can you post an image or illustration indicating where the leak is? Thanks.

Here's the pic. The leak was a slow drip right at the bottom of the bulkhead there. Like I mentioned before without the loc line on everything works fine. I guess there is some kind of back pressure being created by the loc line?

 

[blaxsun]

Here's the pic. The leak was a slow drip right at the bottom of the bulkhead there. Like I mentioned before without the loc line on everything works fine. I guess there is some kind of back pressure being created by the loc line?

Maybe. What kind of loc-line adapter were you using? The setup in the image looks fine.

 

[radav88]

Maybe. What kind of loc-line adapter were you using? The setup in the image looks fine.

It is just six inches of loc line with the flare nozzle at the end.

 

[exnisstech]

Did you try snugging up the bulkhead a little?

 

[radav88]

I was concerned about trying to tighten it any further since when I put it on initially, I tightened as much as I felt possible and am worried any more and I'd crack the tank.

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

I was concerned about trying to tighten it any further since when I put it on initially, I tightened as much as I felt possible and am worried any more and I'd crack the tank.

How does the gasket look? Was it new when you started putting this together?

 

[radav88]

Yes this was a brand new gasket and bulkhead. Both bulkhead and gasket looked good to me when I installed them. I did replace bulkheads and gaskets on my overflow because the stock ones included looked like crap, these bulkheads looked great in comparison.

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

Yes this was a brand new gasket and bulkhead. Both bulkhead and gasket looked good to me when I installed them. I did replace bulkheads and gaskets on my overflow because the stock ones included looked like crap, these bulkheads looked great in comparison.

Well, there goes my only idea, lol

 

[theMeat]

Loosen the nut of the bulkhead, put some spit on the surface where nut contacts tank, and on the threads. Hand tighten then another 1/4 turn with wrench. Sounds silly but the spit will reduce friction and then dry up.
You said you replaced the bulkheads. If you still have the old ones you can replace the nut if you crack it.

 

[SteveMM62Reef]

Are you leaking at the glass or threaded connection? If it’s the treaded connection, you are moving it when installing the loc-line. With the Loc-line installed, lower the tank water, unscrew the bulkhead, from the Treaded Elbow, Redope, or Remove Teflon Tape and re-tape. This used to always frustrate me at work, sometime, I’d have to back up a fitting a little bit, and the Teflon Tape would bunch, or the sealant dope would gap.