Avon Dinghy Valve Repair

[m1taylor]

Got one of the A4 old type vavles to repair on the thwart on my Redcrest. Well, the new style valves are apparently around £70 fitted, whereas the new rubber diaphram and spring for the A4 valve is £3.50! I understand it's a very fiddly job - so can anyone whose repaired an A4 valve give me a few pearls of wisdom about how to do the job?

 

[ParaHandy]

it's relatively easy. undo the large nut (approx 2"). this'll be very tight but persevere. DON'T let go the threaded bit within which is the valve assembly. Gently push it back inside (attach a bit of coat hanger hook through it) whilst manoeuvering it by pinching the sides of the raft together, turn it over and remove the old valve/diaphragm assembly (the diaphragm is screwed onto a little shaft and if it doesn't unscrew, snap it off but more likely the diaphragm is "lost" inside the raft which if brave you can try and get out whilst not losing the threaded bit!).

At this point, generally, everything goes pear shaped and i'm left getting the holder out ... but i'm getting better at it and move swiftly on to the next stage ...

Insert the little diaphragn shaft with the spring on - note there is a keyway to prevent it turning - twist to lock it, then turn it over and screw the diaphragm on. you MUST get it on the thread true otherwise it'll not seal correctly.

if you've got this far, re-assemble etc

actually, it isn't "relatively easy". you do need a lot of patience ...

 

[VicS]

[ QUOTE ]
it's relatively easy. undo the large nut (approx 2").

[/ QUOTE ] Surely you are talking about the new type not the old!

 

[Malish]

you might find the following link helpful

http://www.clavey.com/Repair%20Manual.pdf

are you sure that you are not referring to the A7 valve?

 

[m1taylor]

I can confirm that it is the older type of valve - the A4. This has a black rubber diaphram which seems to sit under a brass fitting. The whole valve is black, not grey like the A7s. Whilst interesting, I think the help here is about the A7?

 

[Spyro]

This is an A4 type valve

I asked the same question a while back
SEE HERE

 

[m1taylor]

Hi, did you manage to replace the diaphram, or did you go for the a7 valve?

 

[ParaHandy]

i think you're right ... never thought anybody would have a dinghy older than mine ...!!

 

[Gordonmc]

Para,
When you re-assembled how did you get the 2" nut tight enough on the thread?
Avon do a tool which costs an arm and a leg but I don't see how you can hold the main body of the A7 valve tight enough to get the nut on more than finger tight. The result is the whole thing unscrews when you take the dust-cap off.
How does the tool work?