Stuck seacock

[Irie308]

Winterized my genny in the water before haulout last fall. I normally open the seacocks after haulout. This time I don't recall if i did or not. I was trying to working on the overboard thru hull so i may have closed it for the winter to gain access. I did not try to open the seacock until this past weekend after the boat was launched. The valve seemed as if it was completely frozen in place. I was able to get it open by hand but it was way harder than it should be. I thought after it broke free it would move easier but its now just as hard to close. I don't want to mess with it mechanically while its in the open position but wondering if there is anything a can do to try to introduce some lubrication while its in the open position in the water. Planning on make due for now until next haul in the fall but the gen gets well used over the summers and i plan to use plugs when i clean the basket and will keep them handy in an emergency but wondering if anything can be done without mechanically forcing it. Seems like that would be a disaster waiting to happen Naturally I hate having a thru hull that can't be closed. Also not sure what could have happened to it over the winter to make it stuck. That valve is well exercised during the season as I'm constantly cleaning the strainer.

 

[Lazy Daze]

Some of the seacocks already have a zerk fitting - others, you may notice, have a small bolt/plug (often for draining). You could replace that plug with a zerk.

If the boat was still in layup, you could close it, remove the hose, and spray some penetrating fluid in there and let it set and then "exercise" it. But obviously that isn't an option right now!

In most cases, if you continue to exercise it, it should get easier and easier. If the handle is solid (the attachment point) you could put a pipe over the handle to gain leverage - or if your handle has a square hole in it, then you can use a socket wrench.

 

[douglee25]

Close the seacock, remove hose, spray in some Teflon lube. Put your hand over it or hook the hose back up and exercise the valve.

 

[Escapade]

They make an extension handle, this is what we use.

Top Shelf Sea Cock and Ball Valve Helper Senior​

Top Shelf Marine​

SKU: 02SCBHSR

$19.99

 

[Irie308]

Really don't want to force anything while its in the water. It seems equally hard to close as it was to open. For now I'm going to see if I can introduce some lubricant through the small bolt fitting attached. From the cutaway diagram I think if the ball is in the open position i should be able to access the port without leaking water.

 

[saopm]

Unfortunately, they didn’t make it easy to access the seacocks on theses boats. This winter I removed the strainers for rebuild and access to the seacocks. I was able to get the holding tank seacock working again which was a relief. However, my Gen seacock is much harder to operate then the A/C. I tried removing the hose (replaced the hoses) and spraying lubricant down, but it didn’t make a difference. I don’t think I’m at the point of removing it. They may have installed it with 5200. For now I’ll just struggle, but I’m interested to hear if you make a progress.

 

[Irie308]

So I made sure I was treading lightly as I didn't want to have to short haul the boat or worst case spring a leak. One thing I notice was when I tried to remove the retaining nut that holds the shaft, it would turn the seacock. This meant they were fused together. I applied some heat with a heat gun and a liberal amount of pb blaster on the two of them and after 24 hours the shaft started moving. Small movements and more pb blaster had it fully free after a few more attempts.

 

[Escapade]

+1 with the PB Blaster. Can on the boat Can in the garage!

 

[electricaldoctor]

+1 with the PB Blaster. Can on the boat Can in the garage!

Can beside the wife's purse.