rotrax
Well-Known Member
We were sailing last weekend, it was the last trip this year-we are off to Spain for ten weeks mid January.
Yesterday I went to our lovely boat and treated her Yanmar to new oil and filter, new fuel filter, valve clearance adjustment and fresh antifreeze.
I then tackled a horrible job-taking the Y valve off the holding tank-it was siezed in the direct overboard position.
Despite heating the hoses with a heat gun I had to cut one off, the other needed a firm grip with my weapons grade 15 inch slip joint pliers.
With the valve off-its an American high quality bronze one-I discovered that white deposits had almost blocked the valve and pipes-I will be changing the pipes for sure!
With the valve in the vice at home, kitted out with overalls and rubber gloves I managed to clear the crud from the valve.
I took the handle off, warmed the valve up and got the ball turning with a big adjustable spanner. I scurfed out the ball surface with a wire brush in an electric drill, left it soaking in TQF-a very good penetrating oil, and worked it back and forth for a few minutes. It now turns easier than it ever did before it siezed. It siezed while we were in New Zealand visiting our eldest son earlier this year-it had no movement for three months.
I now know why I liked my job as a mechanic-the job satisfaction when you repair something!
I'll go now............................
Yesterday I went to our lovely boat and treated her Yanmar to new oil and filter, new fuel filter, valve clearance adjustment and fresh antifreeze.
I then tackled a horrible job-taking the Y valve off the holding tank-it was siezed in the direct overboard position.
Despite heating the hoses with a heat gun I had to cut one off, the other needed a firm grip with my weapons grade 15 inch slip joint pliers.
With the valve off-its an American high quality bronze one-I discovered that white deposits had almost blocked the valve and pipes-I will be changing the pipes for sure!
With the valve in the vice at home, kitted out with overalls and rubber gloves I managed to clear the crud from the valve.
I took the handle off, warmed the valve up and got the ball turning with a big adjustable spanner. I scurfed out the ball surface with a wire brush in an electric drill, left it soaking in TQF-a very good penetrating oil, and worked it back and forth for a few minutes. It now turns easier than it ever did before it siezed. It siezed while we were in New Zealand visiting our eldest son earlier this year-it had no movement for three months.
I now know why I liked my job as a mechanic-the job satisfaction when you repair something!
I'll go now............................