Sea cock

[dougg]

The metal sea cock from our heads has all but seized up. Is there any way of freeing it? I guess it's lime scale or similar.
It's going to be a right bitch to get out at the holding tank will need to be removed, and the through deck fitting.
Thanks.

 

[MoodySabre]

I'm not offering any quick fix but you don't say what type of seacock. Is it a ball valve or a bronze Blakes type?

The former get stiff through lack of use and sometimes (like mine) the handle becomes detached from the ball. The only answer is to replace it. If the boat is newish then it may have been made of inferior material anyway so replacement would be essential.

If the latter then it is usually corrosion caused by uric acid sticking the two sides of the valve together and some applied effort will probably separate them.

Removal of the holding tank to get to a seacock Sounds like a poorly designed installation (or perhaps there was no space to do better). A sorry tale and one that can't be fixed in the water.

 

[dougg]

The installation is certainly tight! We are out of the water at present but with no chance of finding a replacement here.
What are the thoughts behind fitting another, up stream, of he ball type valve.

 

[Caer Urfa]

The metal sea cock from our heads has all but seized up. Is there any way of freeing it? I guess it's lime scale or similar.
It's going to be a right bitch to get out at the holding tank will need to be removed, and the through deck fitting.
Thanks.

You do not say what type of sea cock it is, as its associated with a holding tank I guess it's probably the discharge valve, is it a 1 1/2" Blakes valve.

If so, spray/soak it for a few days with WD40, and then have a go at releasing the top screws to dismantle it for a good servicing, 'do not' attempt it if your not out the water!

If it's not bronze be carefull you do not snap it off if you putting some mussle to it!

Mike

 

[prv]

Standard B&Q broomhandle fits nicely up the outlet of a 1 1/2" Blakes, and a couple of taps with a Big Hammer will pop the cone up into the boat.

Pete

 

[MoodySabre]

What are the thoughts behind fitting another, up stream, of he ball type valve.

If you fit another one somewhere accessible then you've still got to deal with the one that isn't working properly. You shouldn't just close it and ignore it - it needs replacing or removing and the hole glass over properly. Holes below the waterline should be top priority not bodges.