Can you rebuild a through valve?

[lesrrt]

I am in the process of changing out the toilet and put a Raritan base in with the original bowl. My main through valve has a slight leak letting water past the valve after tightening. I was thinking that if I could plug the outside discharge up temporarily and have a new side valve ready and change it. I am talking taking out the fitting below the round turn handle. So, can this be or has this been done successfully? Any input is appreciated.

 

[Paul F]

It is a little hard to understand what you are doing. Saying that, you should be able to change all fittings threaded on-to a thru-hull by plugging the thru-hull and then changing the part. The problem is that in doing this you may turn the thru-hull and break the seal between the thru-hull and the hull and create a leak there. As long as the thru-hull remains in place you should be able to make the changes as you like.

 

[lesrrt]

Thanks Paul !

Where would I begin to search this part. It would be knob part that is screwed in perpendicular to the through valve. I don't know if this can be rebuilt or not. I am replacing all 1.5" sanitation hose. I could just leave until the pullout in the fall knowing the hose will fill just to the water level just below the loop. I wonder if this is reason why my waste tank was full when pulled out. It sat in the water for over 6 years before me and the wife decided to restore it.

 

[twalker H260]

It sounds like you have a older style gate valve. Parts are likely the same as you would use on shore based valves - stem packing, orings, etc likely available at your local big box store - BUT if your vessel sat in salt water for six years and given the history on some of these types of valves the gate could have corroded away, or the valve if mounted on the end of the mushroom thruhull could be so corroded that a bit of torquing on it may cause it to fail.

I would suggest leaving it till fall, and make sure you have a softwood plug near this and any other thruhulls of this type.

If you do a search on this site for "gate valve" you will see a long discussion of issues relating to this type of valve and why I would not do anything to it other than treat it very gently and have a big plug handy until haul out.

For proper replacement of thruhulls, seacocks and valves I would urge you to look at MaineSails information on why and how to do it correctly.

http://www.pbase.com/mainecruising/seacock_primer
http://www.pbase.com/mainecruising/replacing_thruhulls&page=2

It takes time and patience to to but it isnt overly difficult to do!

 

[lesrrt]

Thanks Mr Walker. That was my feeling as good common sense. It sat in City Marina at Havre De Grace, MD. Brackish waters I believe. When the toilet pump comes in, I'll finish the new hoses and just do this after the fall. Already removed the rusted water heater, so I have plenty of room to manipulate and work. The intake valve is okay BTW. I am going to take pics and post the Cherubini when I get going with this work.
Great site, thanks gentleman !

 

[Benny17441]

It may seem like you can rebuild one of them old gate valves but the short answer is do not try it. The only gate valves available in the market are those sold in Hardware stores and none of the inards will fit those gate valves used by Hunter 30 years ago. Trying to remove the valve to replace it after all this time will likely result in breaking the seal on the thru-hull resulting in a worst leak. Thirdly the valves are old and way past their estimated useful life; the metal casings are corroding and can loose integrity and break at any minute. I would recommend wait till your next haul out and replace all the valves with ball type ones. I remember an old Gate Valve I was shuting once and I ended up with the handle and the innards in my hand as the top casing disintegrated. Looked for one that I could dissasemble and would fit to effect a temporary repair and could not find one. Ended up caping the valve. It would not have ben so bad but the reason I was shutting the valve off was in preparations for an approaching hurricane.

 

[lesrrt]

Thanks Benny!

I am just going to finish the hoses once the rest of the parts for the toilet come in. I'll leave the valve be; just not worth the,"what ifs?"