PLEASE if anyone has any idea how to deal with that thing. It appears to be twisted on to the threaded end of my copper pipe with some teflon tape. See my post from below for full details.
http://flickr.com/photos/86157294@N00/166563337/in/photostream/
http://flickr.com/photos/86157294@N00/166563335/in/photostream/
http://flickr.com/photos/86157294@N00/166563337/in/photostream/
http://flickr.com/photos/86157294@N00/166563335/in/photostream/