Compression shutoff leaking.. Help please!

I have just spent the last 30 minutes reading all the old posts that are similar to my problem but still am not sure of the best answer. Thus....

I recently installed a compression shutoff valve for my toilet. It seemed to be drip free for days until I bumped it a bit when I installed my toilet last night. Now I can't get the drip (one every couple minutes) to stop. I did not use teflon tape nor any other dope, sealant, oil etc. I have continued to tighten it up slightly trying to fix it to no avail but am wondering if I overtightened it. How would one know?

Thus, what is my best bet here? Loosen up the nut and put some oil on it, then reinstall? I will check to see if I crushed the ferrule but there's still a bit of tightening I could do to this thing so I doubt I did.

How tight do these things need to be? I recall reading finger tight then half a wrench turn? Sound right?

Thanks all!!!

Tighter than that.
I would crank it some more.
A little oil on the threads would help the nut go down tighter.

Terry said:

Tighter than that.
I would crank it some more.
A little oil on the threads would help the nut go down tighter.

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No worry about overtightening though??

It seems to be to the point where when I turn the nut, the whole valve wants to move. ie. I can barely hold the valve back with my other hand while I turn the nut. But at the same time, I can actually turn the entire valve (nut and valve as one unit) somewhat easily.. as if it's not that tight on the pipe. Is that normal?

If the copper tubing has been squished too small, you may need to cut it back and find full size copper.

You can tighten them too tight, but finger tight then half a wrench turn is not going to cut it.

You sure can over tighten to the point that you will have to use a new supply pipe , nut and Ferrel.

Terry said it, use something on the Ferrel to lubricate the connection.

I agree with Terry, tighten some more before you concede defeat. If you remove the valve, you can lubricate with dishwashing detergent or whatever else floats your boat.

finnegan said:

I agree with Terry, tighten some more before you concede defeat. If you remove the valve, you can lubricate with dishwashing detergent or whatever else floats your boat.

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I checked and the ferrel and copper look OK. I'm going to try the 3 in 1 oil that I have seen frequently mentioned....

We shall see...

lithnights said:

I checked and the ferrel and copper look OK. I'm going to try the 3 in 1 oil that I have seen frequently mentioned....

We shall see...

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Worked like a charm. As always, thanks to all on this great forum.

Great,

Remember for the rest of you, one wrench on the shutoff and one wrench on the nut.

Terry said:

Great,

Remember for the rest of you, one wrench on the shutoff and one wrench on the nut.

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I think that may have been part of my problem. Had the wrench on the nut but just my hand on the shutoff. PUtting a wrench on the shutoff bolt made a huge difference. Once I realized that, I gave myself a slap for being so dumb in the first place.

I hope you slapped yourself with that wrench.