Loose Seacock Lever

[Gary]

The lever on the seacock on my 25D in the head area is loose and will not stay in the open position. It keeps falling down and closing. Does that mean it needs to be greased? I took it apart & there wasn't any grease on the barrel. Or is it something else?

Thanks



garym@taxinvest.com

[Bob Ohler]

Gary, It sounds like it only needs to be serviced, greased, and adjusted when you reassemble the valve. Spartan sells the grease, and the tool (I think it's wise to use the one they sell. I thought it made the job easier.) Thay also have the servicing instructions too. As you assemble the seacock, you'll find the "feel" that is required for the valve to stay open or shut. During the season, if I had previously seviced the seacock, and the valve would not stay open... I would tie it open until the following year when you haul the boat again.
Bob Ohler



bobohler@chesapeake.net

[Dana]

The lever on the seacock on my 25D in the head area is loose and will not stay in the open position. It keeps falling down and closing. Does that mean it needs to be greased? I took it apart & there wasn't any grease on the barrel. Or is it something else?

Thanks

Gary,

With the valve as loose as you describe, I would worry that a leak could develop. Just the weight of the handle is closing the valve.

There should be just a skim coat of grease on the barrel but I do not believe this is your problem. It is more likely that the tightening nut is just a hair too loose. It may be as little as an 1/8 to 1/4 turn. I find that when I service my valve I generally must hand test the operation as I tighten the tensioning nut. Once I can close or open the valve with only a moderate amount of force, I lock the tensioning nut with the backing lock nut. Two open end wrenches are required.

Tensioning can be accomplished even in the water if you work with care and do not over loosen the tensioning nut or try to remove the barrel.

The assembly order, working from the seacock outward is travel lock washer (washer with the tab), tensioning nut (the one with the large flat washer type surface facing toward the seacock), and then the locking washer.

I would loosen the lock washer first. Do not have to take it off.
Then hold the seacock handle and using a wrench on the tensioning nut, tension the tensioning nut clockwise just a bit. From your description, try in 1/8 to 1/4 turn steps. Test the closing/opening force. Repeat the tensioning as necessary. It should turn with only moderate hand force. Don't make it too hard. Then (while using two wrenches (one to hold the tensioning nut still and the other to tighten the locking nut against the tensioning nut) tighten the locking nut.

Dana






darenius@aol.com