Lubricating sea cocks. What's best to use?

R

rays

Well-Known Member
Joined
10 Nov 2006
Messages
185
Location
Cambridge/Ipswich
Visit site
Lubricating sea cocks. What\'s best to use?

We had all the sea cocks replaced 3 seasons ago when we bought the boat (jeanneau). Some of them can be moved with very little effort. A couple have got quite tight and SWMBO has trouble moving them. Now that the boat is ashore thought I'd try and fix 'em. Would WD40 up the outlet pipes + SWMBO opening/closing a few times do the trick or would some other treatment be better? They are the standard type, not Blakes and appear to be brass.
 
Re: Lubricating sea cocks. What\'s best to use?

The heads outlet is a common source of trouble. I'm not sure there is a completely satisfactory solution. WD40 might help to free the cocks, but it is not a good grease or lubricant.

I usually poke grease up the outlet pipe and work the seacocks a few times. There is also a spray grease which might be as good.
 
Re: Lubricating sea cocks. What\'s best to use?

KY jelly?

Oops - must read the question carefully in future.
/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
 
Re: Lubricating sea cocks. What\'s best to use?

WD40 might help to free them, but it is not a good lubricant, being designed as a water dispersant. Not quite sure what type of seacocks you have, but from what you are saying, I assume they cannot be taken apart. It sounds as if they have seized up through lack of use. Some people just open them the once and leave them like that. Seacocks and diverter valves should be worked and in any case when you leave the boat afloat, all the cocks should be closed. Brute force may be able to get the sticky ones moving and if you can get WD40 up there, that can help. Be careful not to apply too much force because you could break the fitting, especially this time of year when the cold makes the metal brittle.
 
Re: Lubricating sea cocks. What\'s best to use?

I have no probs stripping down the good old Blakes, grinding if needed, and putting it back together.
But how about the ball valves on the other outlets? Can't get into them, so better replace if dubious?
Advice welcome.
 
Re: Lubricating sea cocks. What\'s best to use?

if ball valves with any plastic components e.g. seals then be careful about using oil based products as some plastics will expand making the valve stiffer to operate. Rather than WD40 I would use a silicone spray with some PTFE in it, often sold as a dry spray lubricant in Halfords and the like.
 
Re: Lubricating sea cocks. What\'s best to use?

We get this problem on the heads outlet even though the seacocks are worked regularly. More vinegar might help!
 
Re: Lubricating sea cocks. What\'s best to use?

What are the 'standard' ones? As far as I'm concerned, Blakes are the standard ones. If they are gate valves, i.e. ones with a wheel on the top that has to be turned 10 or so times to shut it, now would be a good time to dump them and substitute some decent ones. If they are ball valves they will almost certainly have plastic seats that are designed not to be lubricated. They might become blocked with fouling, so a good flush through with water while operating the handle might help.
 
Re: Lubricating sea cocks. What\'s best to use?

I've always used waterproof bearing grease whenever out of the water.

We always sail with the toilet and sink seacocks closed and so these are used every day - so they never seize up. The engine seacock is likewise closed every time we leave her.

It may be overcautious but its amazing how much water can come through the toilet when well heeled (even with an anti syphon loop).
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top