My ball valve leaks

C

cookie master

Well-Known Member
Under vacuum its leaking when i turn the 1.5 inch valve from on/off. Is it faulty or is that normal? It doesnt hold vacuum in the intermediate position.
 
C

cookie master

Well-Known Member
I think its always been this way, isnt it supposed to seal throughout its motion? I think so, or else people runing closed loops would have oil leaking everywhere. ive had the valve for awhile but mostly used it as a base since it didnt seal. Now im finally building a closed loop and It seems important hat it seals.
 
C

cookie master

Well-Known Member
22 for a rebuild kit. or 140 for a higher end 316 valve. I with you- replace. I was just curious if they are all this way since mine was bad from the start.
 
Fadedawg

Fadedawg

Well-Known Member
cookie master said:
Under vacuum its leaking when i turn the 1.5 inch valve from on/off. Is it faulty or is that normal? It doesnt hold vacuum in the intermediate position.
Click to expand...
I would first take off the handle and tighten the packing gland nut. If that doesn't fix the leak, I would replace the valve.

Stem seal leaks is typically the first thing to fail on a ball valve.
 
C

cookie master

Well-Known Member
Does the glacier tank economy valve usually work? Or should I upgrade to the 140 dolar 316 model? Both are rated for 1000 psi
 
ROOSTERMAN

ROOSTERMAN

Well-Known Member
Most ball vales are not designed to stand up to vacuum (some are)

Look into the specks of the valve, if its not designed for a vacuum a rebuild will only be a temporary solution at best

but first Tighten the packing They loosen up and leak thats normal even for a valve thats rarely used, one thats used frequetenly will eventually need to be tightened.
Just dont crank down tightly on it, turn it about 1/16 of a turn or less and test. tighten more if necessary. Overtighting will pre-matchurely wear it out and make it harder to turn.
 
C

cookie master

Well-Known Member
its 1 1/4 on ebay my old valve was already 1.5 but Its saving me almost half to get a smaller one. Im gonna keep looking for a bit and maybe find a triclamp style to avoid all the extra connections.
 
C

cookie master

Well-Known Member
regular ball valves are for milk or brewing equipment. swagelok is for outer space and submarines, and extractors/ I get it...
 
Los Reefersaurus

Los Reefersaurus

Well-Known Member
I used to use grow shop valves then I got smart and subed in normal brass plumbing valves, seem to work under vacuum and or pressure... unless you are talking a bout relay valves, that is a horse of a different color
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top