Help with leaky bulkhead

[James983]

So I have been working on my new setup for months now. Today I started making RO water and added it to the sump, which is also the stand. Luck not being on my side, the bulkhead in the sump is leaking. I had to drain about 90 gal. from the sump to stop leak.

I hand tightened and then gave another 1/2 turn. I can't really tighten anymore without pliers. Any suggestions? Tighten more? Loosen? Don't know what to do.

These dang bulkheads are so touchy.

 

[masterswimmer]

Did you install the bulkhead gasket on the inside or outside of the tank?

It is supposed to be on the INSIDE of the tank. Unscrewed bulkhead goes inside the tank, through the hole.....the gasket MUST be on the bulkhead before it slips through the hole. When you screw the nut on, just hand tighten the nut with MAYBE 1/64th turn with a wrench.

Russ

 

[DrHarryLopez]

Did you install the bulkhead gasket on the inside or outside of the tank?

It is supposed to be on the INSIDE of the tank. Unscrewed bulkhead goes inside the tank, through the hole.....the gasket MUST be on the bulkhead before it slips through the hole. When you screw the nut on, just hand tighten the nut with MAYBE 1/64th turn with a wrench.

Russ

+1
I would place the bulkhead just as Swimmer stated, however if for somereason you need to place the bulkhead in the other direction you must place the gasket on the wet side. So bottomline the gasket must go on the wet side.

 

[James983]

Thanks guys. I thought the washer always went on the flange side. I will take it apart tomorrow. Too full of turkey. Besides the JETS are on tonight.

 

[LaurieC]

as stated above but also lick the side of bulkhead that goes against the glass to increase the seal

 

[NL146]

as stated above but also lick the side of bulkhead that goes against the glass to increase the seal

?

 

[lfsmarineguy]

Please do not put the gasket only on the wet side regardless of the bulkhead orientation. The gasket needs to be with the "bolt" portion of the bulkhead ALWAYS! You can put the BH in anyway you need to but if the gasket is with the "nut" it leaves the threads open and it will leak water through the small gaps.

If you can take some pics of what you have going on that would help a lot. The most common causes of leaks are improperly seated gaskets or the "nut" portion. Take the BH and make sure there is nothing like sand or other foreign debris on it or the glass in contact with it. Make sure the BH itself is properly seated in the hole and the gasket is in full contact.

 

[masterswimmer]

as stated above but also lick the side of bulkhead that goes against the glass to increase the seal

?

:shhh: Ancient Chinese secret

swimmer

 

[James983]

Please do not put the gasket only on the wet side regardless of the bulkhead orientation. The gasket needs to be with the "bolt" portion of the bulkhead ALWAYS! You can put the BH in anyway you need to but if the gasket is with the "nut" it leaves the threads open and it will leak water through the small gaps.

Now I'm confused. That's the first I heard that the washer should always be on bolt side of BH.

 

[lfsmarineguy]

The only way it's going to make a complete seal is if it's on the same side as the bolt. The threads do not form a perfect seal when the nut is in place, there will always be a small gap. Water will leak out through the threads.

 

[Vic8361]

just make sure the gasket goes on the bulkhead prior to putting it through the glass,
no matter what side the water will be.
Vic

 

[House of Laughter]

Never put the gasket on the bolt side of the bulkhead - the screwing of the bolt can cause buckling of the gasket and it will leak for sure.

Bulkheads should always be oriented with the flange side inside the tank/sump and the bolt side (no gasket) outside the tank/sump.

If the bolt is on the inside, the bolt and threads will get covered in sponges and tube worms making it virtually impossible to remove or maintenance.

I attached a rough sketch as an example

House

 

[JARRETT SHARK]

never put the gasket on the bolt side of the bulkhead - the screwing of the bolt can cause buckling of the gasket and it will leak for sure.

Bulkheads should always be oriented with the flange side inside the tank/sump and the bolt side (no gasket) outside the tank/sump.

If the bolt is on the inside, the bolt and threads will get covered in sponges and tube worms making it virtually impossible to remove or maintenance.

I attached a rough sketch as an example

house

+1 never put gasket on nut side!!

 

[lfsmarineguy]

The orientation of the bulkhead depends on the needs of the installation. The bulkhead CAN be placed either flange inside the tank or out as long as the gasket is not placed with the bolt. I've installed and maintenanced more bulkheads than I care to remember.

OP, can you post a pic of what's going on in your situation so we can actually try and trouble shoot your problem rather than continue this pointless debate.

 

[James983]

Guys, thanks for all the advice. I will try to post pics later, but that may take longer than fixing it LOL. I'm not good with computers.

I took the BH apart. I definitly think it was too tight. It was difficult to take apart. I'm going to try to redo it with the washer on the inside which will be the bolt side. I will also not over-tighten the bolt.

 

[fallenlordz]

I just put silicone on both sides - just to be sure.

And if I need to remove it in the future I just razor blade the silicone off. :0

 

[lfsmarineguy]

silicone can compromise the gasket over time and make any maintenance down the line a huge pain.

 

[fallenlordz]

silicone can compromise the gasket over time and make any maintenance down the line a huge pain.

Hope it doesnt heheh :tongue1:

What kind of maintenance do you think would be a pain? just wondering

 

[pecan2phat]

Bolt side = flange side so James, you were correct in your statement.

 

[James983]

Here is a pic of my setup so far.....