Has anyone else tried make valve packings out of Teflon? I have an Enders 9061 that is good shape but not for the leaky valve and cleaning needle shaft. So this is what I did. I measured the temperature of the parts all around the valve and cleaning needle stuffing boxes with an infra red pyrometer. I found that these things seem to run in the area of 350 deg. F. This is well with in the operating range of Teflon. I packed the valve with conventional graffite packing, and did the cleaning needle shaft with Teflon (3/32” rope, not tape). Both are working fine. The only difference is the Teflon is much slipperier giving the feel of a packing that needs to be snugged up a little, but that is not the case. Its just very smooth and well sealed . I have cooked up several meals on this stove and the Teflon is holding up well. I also like the way that the Teflon keeps the torque on that long thin brass shaft way down. No worrys about twisting or breaking it now. Rick
Hello Rick, It should be able to handle the heat as you said. But what about fuel. I wonder if over time Coleman fuel would break down the Teflon. If it works I say your good to go. Jeff
Teflon is quite innert. I may last very well only time will tell. I should make up a Teflon packing for a stove I use more often. I might make one for my 111T I use that stove a lot (nightly some times). It will take some time to reach a conclusion. Unless there is anyone else who has tryed this. Rick
I've used Teflon temporarily, seems to work. But I've always replaced it with high temp graphite asap. Just don't use the water faucet variety of graphite, which melts easily, and starts fire-balls... Undisturbed, graphite lasts a very long time. Teflon? Who knows? I did find some Teflon cord, about 1/8 inch, at 'True Value hardware'
Many types of teflon will "cold flow" over time. The teflon will slowly squish out of tight spots and potentially leak or allow metal to metal contact. It may take a few weeks may take a year. Depends on what kind of teflon it is. If you do keep this material, keep an eye on the stove and watch for leaks. Jim Henderson
