I thought i would use TFC 1/2" ID 3/4OD Compression fittings on my TFC Monsta rad. This was a mistake.
When i was leak testing i noticed some tiny drips around the bottom of both fittings so i stopped the pump and they seemed finger tight as they were but i thought ok they need to be tighter so i gave them each a 1/2 turn with my pliers and turned on the pump, same thing little drips.
I though the hoses may have slipped but i was pretty careful putting them on so i decided to check and dismounted the rad and took off the fittings, hoses were fine, i tightened everything up as best i could and tried again, same thing.
Annoyed i took it off and stuck on some DD FatBoy 1/2" Barbs w/ jubilee clips and worse luck a bigger drip, at this point i was freakin out so i tried some EK 1/2"ers i had spare and again drips.
So since i thought it was something to do with the threads on that side on the monsta i flipped it over and put the fittings on the other side, guess what no drips. Yay! only no, not Yay! 2 mins later and 1lr approx of fluid pumped in there is a hissing coming fromt the other side of the rad at the holes i have the plugs in and a trickle rapidly dribbling out. I freaked stopped the pump....ooops didnt get the restop plug in quick enough and the whole bottom of the case floods with liquid. Disaster.
Well long story short the base of the thread housing for the 1/4" fittings had hairline cracks on both sides.
I was livid, i really dont think i over tightened these, but i suppose i must have.
Result, one wrecked Monsta.
If using TFC 1/2" comp fittings make sure they dont lever the thread housing against the body of the rad and create these hairline cracks.
I cant find any info on the Feser site stating that they are not compatible, as they look just like they are and unless i have herculean strength i am unaware of then i cant see exactly what i did.
Anyhoo after two hours of mopping and kicking things i can now see the funny side...
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