Can i use Plumbers tape on a Kerosene pipe

[clydeserani]

My fiance has a Kerosene Boiler. We can't get the guy to come out to fix a leak from the Boiler. it is outside the house and constantly drips Kerosene. Can I use the stretchy Plumbers tape to secure the leak or will it corrode? Any advice would be great. Thanks.x

[Clanad]

At least here in the U.S. there are no "tapes" to repair your pipe. I suspect the "stretchy plumber's tape" you're referring to is the white colored teflon tape used to join iron threaded pipes to make them have a more snug fit and easier to take apart. Even that is not designed to prohibit leaks. There is a yellow colored tape but that's used for gas pipes (as in natural gas fuel).
It would be best to determine exactly where the Kerosene is leaking from and then replace the pipe since flamability is obviously an issue...

[clydeserani]

Thankyou for your reply. I am a bit concerned about the Flamability issue as the house is an old farmhouse surrounded by many farm structure that would go up like tinder...My fiance is a bit useless with DIY stuff so I will have a look tomorrow and see if the pipe needs replaced or simply tightened. Thanks again.x

[beso]

Clanard, teflon tape IS designed to seal. Basically the yellow gas variety is just thicker.

However it is not meant to wrap around the outside of a leak.

This situation needs professional attention. That leak could escalate at any time.

[beso]

Attempting to tighten it could potentially break it entirely particularly if it is very old and has no teflon tape on the thread.

[heathfield]

Scotch 2221 is a stretchy oil-resistant self-amalgamating tape (i.e. it bonds to itself without adhesives) that should, repeat should, prove suitable. Not cheap - normally around £13 a roll - but I spotted one here...

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk...x-1-5mm-/330490419537

[Whickerman]

Per above:

Plumbers tape is PTFE Tape. PTFE is a type of teflon and is perfectly compatible with kerosene. However it is designed for use between threads or push joints to make a seal, not for wrapping around the exterior of a pipe or joint.
The tape heathfield mentions will get you out of a jam temporarily but it is a TEMPORARY fix. If the leak is the pipe itself corroding is absolutely needs replacing.
You mention tightening - if you tighten beyond the limit of the fixture you'lll shear the threads or break the pipe or connection and then there's no going back. Be very careful. A major leak of kerosene or diesel could cost you thousands as you'll have to remove the earth it soaks into - even if this is under your house... in fact that's a more significant risk to you now than fire. Happens more commonly than you'd imagine and usually takes months of remedial works... Don't skimp on this repair

[TonyV]

depends on where there leak is at - on a connection?

[TonyV]

Clyde - are u in the UK

[AlBags]

Does ANYONE who answered actually know about boiler oil delivery pipework?

It will be copper.
It will have some compression connections in the run.
A leak will always be one of these connections or a badly formed (cracked) bend or corner.
Use plumbers PTFE tape .. thin is best ... on the threads AFTER disassembling the connection. You will have to turn off outlet at tank/filter bowl and drain the pipework first. Pipework and fittaings are usually 8mm copper and compression connectors.

You can't repair a leaky oil pipe with tape on the outside! Get wise DIY kings.

[beso]

Never had a boiler because it doesn't get below about 5 degrees C here.

Compression connections may come good by just tightening the nut but they don't really like being disturbed especially the ones with copper cones rather than an "olive". Often the cone will have developed been distorted especially of the alignment is not perfect..

Moreover the cone work hardens during the original fitting and unless they are replaced they may not always reseal. They can be annealed by heating to red hot. I usually put a few layers of tape over the surface of the cone to assist in sealing. It also acts a a lubricant to assist the cone to seat perfectly in the fitting.

I am surprised the vastly superior flare connection that is used in gas fitting is not used for kerosene connections.

[AlBags]

Olives of usually brass are used as standard here for many liquids and gases.