Should i worry

[Zone1090]

I just bought a used waterbox x60.2 about 2 years old
Been up a month. Just noticed the bulkhead fitting on the gate valve is seeping a little. Not sure if i should leave it alone, tighten, or loosen?

 

[tbrown]

Does it drip into the sump?

 

[Zone1090]

Its not a drip. The pipe is damp to touch. But does go directly to sump

 

[tbrown]

Then it's up to you.

There's a couple of things that could be causing it. If it's a failing fitting that's got a crack it could potentially get worse if you try to tighten it. If it's a failed gasket/o-ring it shouldn't get any worse unless you loosen or tighten it. If it's a loose fitting, tightening it could stop the seeping.

@UncommonSense I think I'd probably leave it alone since it's over the sump. You?

 

[get-salty]

I just bought a used waterbox x60.2 about 2 years old
Been up a month. Just noticed the bulkhead fitting on the gate valve is seeping a little. Not sure if i should leave it alone, tighten, or loosen?

when you bought it. was it removed and you put it back yourself?
maybe it cracked when tightening it too much or it needs to be tighten.

if its two yrs old, the O ring should not go bad. tightening it and see..

good luck

 

[Zone1090]

I did have it disassembled cleaned gasket put oring lub on it. Its been fine except a couple of days ago I noticed some salt creep on the pipe coming down to gate valve. Did try to tighten but the gate valve turned with it so I stopped.

 

[UncommonSense]

Just noticed the bulkhead fitting on the gate valve is seeping a little.

Are you possibly referring to a union fitting? The one with a threaded collar that can decouple two lengths of pipe?

did have it disassembled cleaned gasket put oring lub on it.

So it does have o-rings intact… but this system is used so who knows if they’re the right size…

Photos of what exactly we’re talking about would definitely help!

 

[Zone1090]

Are you possibly referring to a union fitting? The one with a threaded collar that can decouple two lengths of pipe?


So it does have o-rings intact… but this system is used so who knows if they’re the right size…

Photos of what exactly we’re talking about would definitely help!

 

[UncommonSense]

oh okay! So we’re talking about a bulkhead fitting, specifically!

— Are you using the original bulkhead gaskets?

— have you checked the glass face around the bulkhead hole perimeter for any foreign debris that might be interfering with the bulkhead gasket’s seal against the tank glass? (You can usually reach in through the bulkhead hole to wipe with isopropyl alcohol around the hole rim!)

 

[Zone1090]

I made sure it was clean when I put it back together. I checked fot leaks before I filled it everything was OK. Like I said been good for 2 weeks

 

[UncommonSense]

I made sure it was clean when I put it back together. I checked fot leaks before I filled it everything was OK. Like I said been good for 2 weeks

Well, just like automotive tires, rubber bulkhead gaskets do have a finite lifespan…

In some cases, they can last several decades untouched before leaks begin… but once old (5+ yrs) gaskets get removed and reinstalled, there’s definitely a potential for hairline cracks to form, or just the gasket being deformed prior during service, and hardening to have that specific pattern in it… either issue can cause water to channel past the gasket and weep down the plumbing!

— This is to say, unless there’s some major installation error (gasket not on flange side of bulkhead, or bulkhead WAY too small for glass hole), or serious bulkhead manufacturing defect, the gasket is the usual suspect!

 

[get-salty]

looks like someone took a pair of pliers to that bulkhead.

you need to replace it with a gasket as well.
shouldnt be too hard, bet you can buy it from WB.

 

[KrisReef]

looks like someone took a pair of pliers to that bulkhead.

you need to replace it with a gasket as well.
shouldnt be too hard, bet you can buy it from WB.

It’s been over screwed and the oring/ gasket is bulging out of place. A new gasket may fix the problem unless the plastic was damaged from the over tightening?

Those ridges on the plastic ring are there to allow hand tightening. My gripe is weak, so I sometimes use a tool but am careful to not screw down more than one quarter turm when using a tool.