Combines Follow up question for tbran and vstk

[vstk]

The copper or aluminum washers need to replaced everytime they are tightened and then loosened. They depend on the "crush" to seal........it is a one time thing. There is a washer on both sides of the fitting. I dont remember any groove.....could it be the heavy coat of paint making it look that way. The fitting itself is relativly hard. If there are small imperfections the washer should take care of these. No, sealer would not help. You could hit it lightly with a good flat file. VSTK

 

[tbran]

SOME banjo fitting did have grooves. IF we get a fitting that is really a bear to seal we do this, take the copper washers and lay them on a metal table, use a torch to heat them red from a distance of at least 6" and as soon as they start to turn stop the heat and let it cool naturally. This will soften the metal and should seal without quite as much torque. IF it is the seal problem. The drip line fittings are rebrazable if you are handy with a brazing tip. Just lay another layer on the origional - brush it first to be sure it was brazed and not soldered. Most were brazed. OF course you cannot braze over solder.

 

[vstk]

tbran I aggree that yes some fittings had grooves....they were pretty easy to determine that they belonged there. I almost think he is talking about a ledge of some kind on the outside edge, as he says " I notices that the banjo fitting is grooved and the washer seems to sit back inside the fitting a little. " I dont recall any thing like this, so suspected maybe the heavy layer of paint, or as he thought, maybe some extreme over tightening. I cant imagine getting it tight enough to do that with out breaking the bolt. I do not believe that is standard brazing, although that may repair it. I believe it is something similar to what A_C techs use. I have heard it called a lot of things.........local guy where I buy it calls it phos_copper. Small flat sticks of rod, is rated at a very high pressure. It is what I use to repair A_C problems when needed.