Volvo saildrive - stiff seacock

[Dipper]

I believe that it is a relatively common problem for the seacock fitted to the Volvo 120S saildrive to become stiff with time. Mine has been getting much worse this season. So much so that I managed to pull the 'handle' off whilst trying to turn it off. I eventually closed it using a spanner on the top. I have since freed it a bit with some silicone spray but it is going to need replacing over the winter.

One solution is a separate raw water intake but I really don't want another hole in the hull. I could replace it with a new Volvo unit but I'm sure I read here somewhere that there is an alternative seacock that can be fitted to the saildrive which is more reliable than the Volvo original. Or have Volvo brought out a better version?

Any advice appreciated.

 

[prv]

I'm not 100% sure what model our Volvo saildrive is, but the intake valve on it is just a standard ball valve, screwed onto a sort of elongated nipple, which is screwed into the leg casting. This is as supplied by Volvo. The valve appears to be brass (naughty!) so will be replaced in due course. It's all just standard plumbing stuff, nothing specific to Volvo.

EDIT: Looking at the parts diagram here: http://www.marinepartseurope.com/uk/en/volvo-penta-explodedview-7746710-44-4202.aspx , it looks like earlier versions had a sort of tap on them, instead of the ball valve. I assume that's what you're looking at. In which case, it ought to be pretty straightforward to replace it with a DZR hex nipple and ball valve. Assuming the hole in the leg casting is BSP, of course, but anything else would seem fairly perverse.

Pete

 

[Martin_J]

Try the thread here.

www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?338180-VP-Saildrive-Seacock-Material

I included a link to the replacement option that keypart sell.

 

[RichardS]

I believe that it is a relatively common problem for the seacock fitted to the Volvo 120S saildrive to become stiff with time. Mine has been getting much worse this season. So much so that I managed to pull the 'handle' off whilst trying to turn it off. I eventually closed it using a spanner on the top. I have since freed it a bit with some silicone spray but it is going to need replacing over the winter.

One solution is a separate raw water intake but I really don't want another hole in the hull. I could replace it with a new Volvo unit but I'm sure I read here somewhere that there is an alternative seacock that can be fitted to the saildrive which is more reliable than the Volvo original. Or have Volvo brought out a better version?

Any advice appreciated.

Assuming that it's a gate valve, replace it with a good quality ball valve. DZR will probably be the best value for money. I don't know the thread size as I have a Yanmar which is the same rubbish design but if you call or email ASAP Supplies I'm sure they will be able to tell you immediately.

They are usually very tight and corroded in so you will need good access, a good spanner set and probably some leverage to shift the old one.

Don't bother with another through-hull as the basic principle is sound. It's just the choice of a gate valve which defies logic.

Richard

Three responses all in agreement down to the last detail. Full house!

 

[Dipper]

Thanks for the comments and links. Mine has the circular blue plastic disc for operating the seacock which fits onto a square headed plastic 'rod'. I must admit that I assumed the internals were perhaps plastic of some sort but apparently not. The valve only has a quarter of a turn so it must be a ball valve of some sort.

I'll try to remove it when ashore but on a 26ft boat access is very limited. I hope I don't have to take the saildrive off again. Once off, I'll see if I can fit a valve with a lever action which will be much easier to operate. My local marine engineers may be able to supply a suitable replacement. If not, then it will have to be another Volvo one.

 

[prv]

My local marine engineers may be able to supply a suitable replacement. If not, then it will have to be another Volvo one.

Unless (as I wondered about in post #2) the thread in the leg is something unusual, you do not need any special Volvo part or (unless you want to) something from your local mechanics. You just need a DZR hex nipple and a DZR ball valve, which you can get from various places; the obvious one is http://www.asap-supplies.com .

Pete

 

[Dipper]

Unless (as I wondered about in post #2) the thread in the leg is something unusual, you do not need any special Volvo part or (unless you want to) something from your local mechanics. You just need a DZR hex nipple and a DZR ball valve, which you can get from various places; the obvious one is http://www.asap-supplies.com .

Pete

Thanks for that Pete. If I know for sure what the thread is, I'll try ASAP. If I have to ask my local marine engineers then it only seems fair to buy a seacock from them.

 

[philwebb]

Hi I had the same problem I was using pliers on the blue plastic handle when it came off. What I have done is make another
handle that I can get a better grip on. It was made from the top of a plumbing gate valve and I've drilled out the hole and filed it square. Now I can turn the valve easily, but I've got to file or drill it a bit more to get the split pin to fit.