What seacocks do I have

[jonjo]

The news is that all the sea cocks on my yacht open and close, but some only reluctantly.

I ought to do something about this before I launch on Tuesday. There are two types, some have smooth red leavers and the others have wheel valves, I think this means I have a mixture of ball and gate valves.

Would the following work?

1 - Ball values: From the outside, a quick squirt of Teflon and/or WD40.
2 - Gate valves: Half close then from the outside load a screw driver with keenol and dab on gate. Then 3/4 close and squirt some WD40 to get the grease to flow into the mechanism.


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[charles_reed]

Strongly recommend against WD 40, though good for freeing up is a rotten lubricant.

Suggest taking off all the pipes from the seacocks and lubricating from inside, preferably with teflon spray if you can't get to grease them properly.

If you use your seacocks regularly you'll find they stay free - it's even better than occasional lubrication.

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[anabel]

WD40 not a good idea. It is primarily a moisture repellant. Use a marine type of greese . Would advise getting rid of gate valves. Really not suitable on boats. If something gets stuck in the valve you may be unable to close it, which could prove dangerous. Also the wheel & shaft corrode very easily in marine envoirment & break. If ball valve operated regularly it will normally remain free.

anabel

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[Evadne]

I'd endorse the warnings about WD40, it is very good at dissolving grease. I've been told Duck oil is better for rust inhibiting (more viscous) but I'd use grease or teflon spray for lubricating.
The best way to clean and lubricate is to remove the valve.
I know we're always warned about gate valves but there are 3 fitted in 1963 to my boat that I've not got around to replacing yet.... and no surveyor has ever condemned them.

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