Groco Seacock Recall

[rperret]

Found this on the SA website. So reposting.

http://www.groco.net/svc-bltn/cat-svc-bltn-2-08.htm

MODELS: IBV, FBV, FV and TWV

GROCO's design for the imported valves series shown above specified a high-grade stainless steel valve stem. We have discovered that the stem material used in some of the valves manufactured between 2004 and 2006 may not have complied with our specifications. Valves with out-of-spec stems may not be suitable for salt-water use. Since the non-compliant silver color stems may fail when the valve is actuated we wish to have all such valves removed from service. GROCO will supply replacement valves at no charge.


WHAT YOU SHOULD DO:
Visually inspect the valve(s) on your boat. If the valve has a stainless steel stem (silver color), the valve should be replaced during the next scheduled haul-out.. Valves with a brass stem (yellow color) require no further action.

[sailingdog]

Thanks for the head's up... just installed a Groco on a friend's boat earlier this past spring... so will have to look and see whether it needs to be yanked... UGH

[Maine Sail]

I installed these seacocks on my boat last summer (Photo how to article here: http://www.pbase.com/mainecruising/replacing_thruhulls ) and my valves came from Hamilton Marine in Portland Maine. These seacocks are a great product! I called Groco and they told me the valve ball is in fact not brass and they use that terminology more as a color than an actual description..

[TrueBlue]

GROCO's design for the imported valves series . . . may not have complied with our specifications.

Most likely another Chinese product recall. Why am I not surprised?

[sailingdog]

Umm... it's a quality control problem... they're very rare in China... not having them I mean...

[btrayfors]

Yep, next the Chinese will be adopting Microsoft's explanation for failures: "It's not a problem, it's a FEATURE"!

So, next time you see that BSD (blue screen of death), you'll know :-)

[jrd22]

Thanks very much for the info. I have several that were installed by PO that I need to check. Fortunately it's on the hard now so if I have to change them out it will only be the time and frustration. Makes you wonder how Groco could NOT be aware of the materials being used in their products, especially thru hulls.

John

[sailingdog]

So mean... but so true... Microsoft charges a lot for all those undocumented special features.

Originally Posted by btrayfors

Yep, next the Chinese will be adopting Microsoft's explanation for failures: "It's not a problem, it's a FEATURE"!

So, next time you see that BSD (blue screen of death), you'll know :-)

[HoffaLives]

That is soooo....wrong. like finding out your brake pads were accidentally made of cardboard. mistakes happen, but in some applications it just isn't okay; these things keep your boat on top of the water. i guess we shouldn't be surprised; look how many space shuttles have been brought down due to shoddy quality.

[camaraderie]

Groco is supplying replacement valves? Nothing said about the need for a haulout and the labor involved. They are taking the cheap way out.