Should I grease my cockpit drain seacocks ?

[Boo2]

Hi,

I have just received my cockpit drain seacocks from ASAP. As I understand it they are DZR bodies with a chromed DZR ball in a PTFE seat and a stainless handle.

My question is : should I grease the ball in its PTFE seat or is this not advisable ? The grease I will use is the Blakes stuff I use on the heads seacocks if it is recommended to grease them at all.

Thanks,

Boo2

...and no sniggering at the back, I thought I was quite refrained in my phraseology and I expect the same consideration in return...

 

[ghostlymoron]

No, the balls don't need greasing but it pays to 'exercise' them from time to time - ie waggle them about a bit. A squirt of WD or 3 in 1 down the shaft will help keep them operating freely.

 

[Seajet]

Personally I'd avoid standard grease as it tends to make a sticky gunge with negative effects, I'd use Teflon spray which is a real relatively ( use very few months / weeks ) long lasting lubricant

WD40 lasts hours or days at best.

The best advice overall though as already stated, keep turning the cocks on and off - but not too tight.

 

[prv]

+1 to not greasing your balls, but playing with your cock instead.

Dry teflon spray sounds like a plausible addition, though I've not tried it myself.

Pete

 

[Seajet]

+1 to not greasing your balls, but playing with your cock instead.

Dry teflon spray sounds like a plausible addition, though I've not tried it myself.

Pete

I'm not too sure PRV Pete has the right forum.

 

[rob2]

On a more serious note, whilst PTFE is nominally self-lubricating, might an occasional smear of silicon grease offer anything? I have a tub about the size of a lip salve and despite occasional uses, it's lasted ten years so far...

Rob.

 

[ghostlymoron]

Ptfe or other grease will disappear the first time the valve is operated under water. There's no way you can apply it behind the seal.

 

[Tranona]

Ptfe or other grease will disappear the first time the valve is operated under water. There's no way you can apply it behind the seal.

Yes, what causes them to stick is deposits building up on the edge of the hole in the ball if left open or on the ball itself if left closed. Regular operation helps. WD 40 seems to shift the deposits - or did with one of my sticky valves.

 

[Seajet]

Yes, what causes them to stick is deposits building up on the edge of the hole in the ball if left open or on the ball itself if left closed. Regular operation helps. WD 40 seems to shift the deposits - or did with one of my sticky valves.

Isn't this why Stuffing Boxes were invented yonks ago, requiring a turn or two on a handle to grease the shaft ?

No doubt a modern version for the lazy might be a computer aided or 16 year old crew to do it !