Overtighten the PHH??

[sjpitts]

Ok, I managed to remove the old crusted PHH and put on a new one. It took my several hours, but I managed to keep all my fingers. I used the gates silicon hose, and the fancy constant tension clamps discussed in the FAQ.

When I finally got the new hose on, I got a little carried away tightening the clamp. I think I needed a caffinated beverage. I pretty much tightended it as far as I could with my little 8mm gear wrench. I then decided that it was probably a mistake and loosened it up a bit. One of those was probably a bad decision. Maybe they both were.

What do you guys think? How tight should those things be? Can you ruin a hose by overtighening?

I would hate to have to do that again, but I would rather do it again now while it is still apart and empty.

Jared

 

[Photoman]

FWIW, depending on which width clamps you have, the torque spec. is 50 in-lbs. for 9/16" width and 90 in-lbs. for the 5/8" width. You probably have the 9/16. Since it is just about impossible to tighten the clamps with a torque wrench on that hose it would be a good idea to try tightening them for practice on something off the motor a few times and check the torque to get a feel for how much 50 in-lbs. are. All of which does you no good at this point. It it were a regular hose clamp it is easy to damage the hose by overtightening but with the constant tension clamps I don't think you hurt anything. As far as backing it off that is just a guess now as to where you are. Just watch for any drips. I would guess you should be fine.

Bill

 

[Riley]

I found tightening thoise clamps a weird experience too. Because of the constant tension rings in there, they never got super snug in my experience (the rings just start to compress). Did you tighten it so far that the rings were totally distorted? Perhaps you went past the point of gaining any benefit of the constant tension ring. If the rings were flattened out and then you backed it off, you might not have any spring left on them.

I'd watch carefully for cold leaks and if you don't see any then I bet it's fine but then I'm no expert in using these clamps.

Perhaps Rich could comment on how to tighten these things. It seems that they get a little snug and then any additional turns don't really do anything. I figured this was normal for constant tension clamps.

R

 

[bjowett]

I learned to wipe a little slicone sealant on the pipe/nipple to which the silicone hose is to be fitted.... no cold leaks.