advice on leaky avon valve please

[Burnham Bob]

my elderly avon seems to have a slight valve problem. the valves are the old ones that have rubber/neoprene stoppers with built in 'hairgrips' for deflation. on the last inflation i could hear one of the valves hissing slightly although the tube remained firm when i put the neoprene stopper in.

the avon is on the boat at the moment and i will have a further look next time i can get it ashore. but some advice please:-

is there some way the valve might be rescued? I was wondering if there might be a piece of crud stopping it shutting - has anyone come across that?

how easy are the valves to replace? polymarine have a look-a-like direct replacement.

any advice as to what to investigate first would be appreciated.

 

[VicS]

You should be able to find instructions for replacing the valves, or just renewing the innards, on Polymarines website. See the Info tab.

Maybe worth replacing both/all with the modern type.

 

[Sailingsaves]

my elderly avon seems to have a slight valve problem. the valves are the old ones that have rubber/neoprene stoppers with built in 'hairgrips' for deflation. on the last inflation i could hear one of the valves hissing slightly although the tube remained firm when i put the neoprene stopper in.

the avon is on the boat at the moment and i will have a further look next time i can get it ashore. but some advice please:-

is there some way the valve might be rescued? I was wondering if there might be a piece of crud stopping it shutting - has anyone come across that?

how easy are the valves to replace? polymarine have a look-a-like direct replacement.

any advice as to what to investigate first would be appreciated.

Money and time no object= replace.
Try a few drops of "seal saver" otherwise. It might just rejuvenate a bit of leaking rubber? Bought online from many dive shops wetsuit outlets, dry suit outlets, probably even ebay. Useful for keeping other latex and rubber in good condition.

 

[richardabeattie]

There's elderly and then there's elderly. My Avon has brass valves and a wooden pump like a pair of bellows.

 

[simonfraser]

You'll need a serious set of pliars or a ring wrench to undo the nut, that is the hardest bit.

I know I am strong and fit, lots of gym / weights and still could only just undo one on my old Avon.

Having changed the two main valves my Avon does not deflate at all