I had to disconnect and move my range, and when I reconnected it I got a gas leak at the coupling between the valve and the flex hose. Not a big leak but I can just barely smell it and my $28 cheapo Amazon gas detector certainly detects it.
The leak seems to be right where the dull yellow brass valve body and the shiny silver steel coupling thread together. I can sort of “feel” the leak on the underside of the joint (wet fingertip, open and close valve with fingertip at the suspect location). I can’t see that place directly but have put my phone camera down there and don’t see anything obvious (like, no evident crack in valve body).
I’ve tried assembling that joint with the thick yellow gas pipe tape, then with PTFE pipe thread sealant, then with a sh-ton of said sealant, and I’m positive the coupling is seating all the way down in the valve body. I’ve torqued it at least as much as it was originally torqued (it was really tight, like two big wrenches needed).
That’s a $35 new flex hose and coupling in the picture, and . . . still leaks.
Any thoughts? Is there a magic pipe dope that works best? I have the valve turned off and will call a plumber if needed, but this seems DIYable?
