Lubricating/loosening Tight Seacocks

[Petep]

what's the best way to make the handles turn (by hand) on hard to close (or open for that matter) Seacocks? A friend's boat had to use large channel locks to move them? any ideas?

 

[HUMPH]

I thought this might one of Gary's tricks. (see subject)

Use them or lose them. Break them free, lubricate them and move them every month or so.

 

[tobnpr]

My Groco's have a square hole in the handle to accept a ratchet extension; slipping a length of pipe over the handle will do the same thing (mechanical advantage). Be careful when doing this so as not to overstress the assembly.

As stated, work them monthly. Mine (and most newer seacocks) are maintenance free and require no lubrication. Check with your manufacturer for their requirements.

 

[HUMPH]

As stated, work them monthly. Mine (and most newer seacocks) are maintenance free and require no lubrication. Check with your manufacturer for their requirements.

Good info, I was told to grease them by someone...

 

[rondds]

Some have grease fittings. Mine do not (Perko). I'm interested in how to free these up if they do bog down. I exercise mine whenever I'm checking fluids (once per week). But what do you do when they're stuck or if they're binding, how do you loosen things?

 

[Stray Cat]

Most seacock valve bodies are 2 pc. When the valve is factory assembled, the two pieces are threaded together to load the ball seals (packings) Using a pipe wrench to hold the valve body in place, use another wrench that fit the wrench flats really well. If you're lucky enough to get this portion of the valve body to turn ccw a 1/4 turn, that should be enough to unload the teflon packings on one side of the ball to allow it to move.

 

[vernh59]

Some have grease fittings. Mine do not (Perko). I'm interested in how to free these up if they do bog down. I exercise mine whenever I'm checking fluids (once per week). But what do you do when they're stuck or if they're binding, how do you loosen things?

I am down to one on my boat that has a seperate wrench to turn the barrel and its coming out when I get home. To free it up I loosen the barrell nut on one side to take the tension off the barrell. THen work the handle until the barrell frees up. You can remove the barrell and clean it then lube it when you are out of the water.

 

[Four Suns]

OK... I'm all into the lubing up your seacock and working it monthly down in a cold dark bilge...

I've had mine bind up and the first thing to do is have your diver focus on them and clean them from the outside as best he/she can. That normally "un sticks" them for me... I find that strong hands with quick yanking on the rubber covering fixes the rest...

You all talk like a bunch of high school kids.