Greasing Seacocks

[Julia]

After perusing the old messages about seacocks I still have a question about greasing them. Is it simply a matter of removing the small screws on either side of the barrel and injecting grease with a grease gun? If so, is it ok to remove these screws while the boat is in the water? Any tips would be much appreciated.



JuliaKing@earthlink.net

[Bill Cochrane]

After perusing the old messages about seacocks I still have a question about greasing them. Is it simply a matter of removing the small screws on either side of the barrel and injecting grease with a grease gun? If so, is it ok to remove these screws while the boat is in the water? Any tips would be much appreciated.

The screws you refer to are to drain water to prevent freezing. While I've read that the seacocks can be greased while the boat's in the water, I wouldn't want to try it...you have to disassemble the seacock, which means that water is going to flow in very fast unless you have a plug of just the right size and taper ready. Too many things that can go wrong...pull the boat first.

With the boat OUT of the water, remove the nut opposite the handle, then the second nut. If at this point working the handle doesn't free the core, put one of the nuts back on part way (covering and protecting the end threads) and tap the nut lightly with a hammer...the core, which is slightly cone shaped, should come out of the barrel toward the handle. Use a solvent to clean the inside of the barrel and the outside of the core, then apply a thick, waterproof grease to the core and reassemble.

Spartan (see sources on the home page) sells a wrench, grease, and if needed, lapping compound, along with very clear instructions.

Re your other note...the head seacock is probably leaking slightly...I've seen this happen when inadvertantly pumping out the head with the seacock closed (too much pressure). Cleaning and greasing it should fix it...if not, the seacock may need to be lapped to make it fit better.



cochrane@clark.net

[Lyn Heiges]

After perusing the old messages about seacocks I still have a question about greasing them. Is it simply a matter of removing the small screws on either side of the barrel and injecting grease with a grease gun? If so, is it ok to remove these screws while the boat is in the water? Any tips would be much appreciated.

The screws you refer to are to drain water to prevent freezing. While I've read that the seacocks can be greased while the boat's in the water, I wouldn't want to try it...you have to disassemble the seacock, which means that water is going to flow in very fast unless you have a plug of just the right size and taper ready. Too many things that can go wrong...pull the boat first.

With the boat OUT of the water, remove the nut opposite the handle, then the second nut. If at this point working the handle doesn't free the core, put one of the nuts back on part way (covering and protecting the end threads) and tap the nut lightly with a hammer...the core, which is slightly cone shaped, should come out of the barrel toward the handle. Use a solvent to clean the inside of the barrel and the outside of the core, then apply a thick, waterproof grease to the core and reassemble.

Spartan (see sources on the home page) sells a wrench, grease, and if needed, lapping compound, along with very clear instructions.

Re your other note...the head seacock is probably leaking slightly...I've seen this happen when inadvertantly pumping out the head with the seacock closed (too much pressure). Cleaning and greasing it should fix it...if not, the seacock may need to be lapped to make it fit better.

Julia,

To what Bill Cochrane states "AMEN"!!!

DON'T MESS WITH SEACOCKS IN THE WATER!!! If you a a knotmter which has a removable sender for boat-in-the-water cleaning (unless it is one of the new Standard units with the internal flap) pull it out and BE READY to insert the dummy plug or re-insert the sender to get an idea of JUST HOW FAST the water comes in.

Best Regards,
Lyn Heiges
CD28 MOON CHILD
CD27 GUILLEMOT



lheiges@compuserve.com