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Near-pipe dope identification help on 222k BTU Utica PEG-E Boiler

WillekesEaves
WillekesEaves Member Posts: 16
edited October 31 in Strictly Steam

I'm trying to figure out what type of dope is on my near-pipe. Can the cap in the picture be taken off with 4 foot come-along bars or is this some type of epoxy or setting-type? It feels hard to the fingernail. It is a 10 year old boiler install on 100 year old steam pipes, residential.

Comments

  • WillekesEaves
    WillekesEaves Member Posts: 16
    20241030_145313.jpg

  • ScottSecor
    ScottSecor Member Posts: 908

    Could be Laco Slic-tite paste

    delcrossvMad Dog_2JUGHNE
  • ethicalpaul
    ethicalpaul Member Posts: 6,815
    edited October 31

    The cap looks cross-threaded but that might be an illusion. Regardless, it can be taken off with a big pipe wrench, like an 18" or 24" with a cheater

    This is the side-supply pipe I assume. Are you looking to skim it?

    NJ Steam Homeowner.
    Free NJ and remote steam advice: https://heatinghelp.com/find-a-contractor/detail/new-jersey-steam-help/
    See my sight glass boiler videos: https://bit.ly/3sZW1el

  • WillekesEaves
    WillekesEaves Member Posts: 16

    Ed, I appreciate your help in my previous post available here . It isn't cross-threaded, it is my cap to skimmer tee. I would skim if I needed to according to page 10 of the operating manual. I replaced a leaking radiator shut off valve and doped it in, the oil intrusion is on my mind. There are many other valves that need replacement in my house. I may need to skim in the future. Maybe use teflon tape to avoid that. Also, I have no idea how much sludge is in the condensate line where it meets the Hartford loop. I might twist that one off too. I have automotive parts removal memories where you twist the thing and it breaks, and they haunt me. I just don't want to destroy my header or parts of the boiler…

  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Member Posts: 16,606

    The amount of contamination you going to get into a boiler system from the pipe dope used for a few fittings or valves is probably negligible. I would not stress over it.

    The pipe dope in the picture looks like some Teflon based product.

    ethicalpaulSuperTech
  • Long Beach Ed
    Long Beach Ed Member Posts: 1,334
    edited October 31

    If you can't get it off with a very large wrench, heat it with a torch and it will come off. It may be easier to find another taping that you can use for skimming at this point.

  • STEAM DOCTOR
    STEAM DOCTOR Member Posts: 2,212

    Slice and chisel. Quick and easy

    mattmia2
  • mattmia2
    mattmia2 Member Posts: 11,036
    https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1817389#Comment_1817389

    the point of the nipple and cap is that the cap is easy to cut and split if it gets frozen

    Long Beach Ed
  • EdTheHeaterMan
    EdTheHeaterMan Member Posts: 9,541

    If you cant get it off with an 18" pipe wrench with a 36" piece of 1-1/2" pipe over that handle, then someone must have welded that pipe to the cap. I'm in a wheelchair and I know that if you put me next to that pipe cap with my 18" and a piece of pipe, It would be off in 20 seconds. Yes, I weigh that much 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

    Edward Young Retired

    After you make that expensive repair and you still have the same problem, What will you check next?

    ethicalpaulSuperTech
  • Mad Dog_2
    Mad Dog_2 Member Posts: 7,549

    Or Whitlam..It dont matter what tbdy used...ITS Coming APART either way....Mad Dog

    Consulting by Mad Dog & Matt Jr.
    ethicalpaul

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