Freeing up stuck seacocks

leogallant · #1 05-30-2012

Is there any kind of penetrating oil that will work to free up seacocks that haven't been cycled in so long that they are stuck on the open position?

DrB · #2 05-30-2012

Is the boat in or out of the water? In the water, you have limited options, especially since the seacock is in the open position.

If out, repost and I can give you a few ideas.

DrB

PorFin · #3 05-30-2012

Leo,

What type of seacocks? Bronze tapered plugs? Stainless/bronze ball valves?

canadianseamonkey · #4 05-30-2012

My bronze seacock for my engine was seized open. When the boat was hauled I removed the seacock, put it in a vice, heated up the outer housing with a torch in order for it to expand and I got it to finally move. I keep those suckers greased all the time now.

sea_hunter · #5 05-30-2012

Ball type cannot be heated or the teflon seal will be destroyed. We had a number that were ceased one being a ball type which I decided to replace on a haulout that turned out to be the right decision. Heats not a good thing with most t-hulls but rapping them with a small peen sometimes loosens them. Tapered ones can be loosened without a complete disassemble from inside the boat but may need a rebuild. The safe course is to haulout.

asdf38 · #6 05-30-2012

I have a stuck one and I'm currently out of the water. Not sure of the type but it's the larger kind for the holding tank outlet. Definitely looking for ideas. I had previously heard about boiled water.

newportermike · #7 05-30-2012

Recently had experience with the boat I bought. It had been on the hard for two years and all the seacocks were seized. I had to dismantle them and regrease. These were the cone type bronze and it was a bit of a pain all right but now they are fine.

leogallant · #8 05-30-2012

I believe they are all Bronze, tapered. Yes, am inclined to wait until its on the hard. Thanks, everyone!

travlineasy · #9 05-30-2012

My boat has 7 seacocks, and 5 of the 7 were froze when I got the boat. Soaking them with WD-40 for about an hour freed every one of them and they work just fine now. Some were tapered brass, while others were ball type. WD-40 sure cures a lot of sailboat ailments.

Cheers,

Gary

leogallant · #10 05-30-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by travlineasy

My boat has 7 seacocks, and 5 of the 7 were froze when I got the boat. Soaking them with WD-40 for about an hour freed every one of them and they work just fine now. Some were tapered brass, while others were ball type. WD-40 sure cures a lot of sailboat ailments.

Cheers,

Gary

Will definitely try that!