Cleaning Avon B-7 Valves

[jondavies]

I have slow leaks on some if not all of the B-7 valves in my boat. They're not leaking badly enough to warrant a rebuild yet but I'm wondering if it's worth taking them apart, cleaning and putting them back together. The instructions for taking out the diaphragm seem fiddly (turning the valve around inside the air tube etc.)

I've already cleaned the diaphragms as best I can with Q-tips and got out some of the gunk out of there. I'm not sure whether it made a difference.

TIA

 

[Sea Rider]

Re: Cleaning Avon B-7 Valves

I have slow leaks on some if not all of the B-7 valves in my boat. They're not leaking badly enough to warrant a rebuild yet but I'm wondering if it's worth taking them apart, cleaning and putting them back together. The instructions for taking out the diaphragm seem fiddly (turning the valve around inside the air tube etc.)

I've already cleaned the diaphragms as best I can with Q-tips and got out some of the gunk out of there. I'm not sure whether it made a difference.

TIA

Are B7 valves, flap Zodiac's type or central spring pin with bottom oring Halkey type? if first, must change for new to assure perfect air tightness, if second can clean with O-tips, but better is to remove and clean outside upper valve with soappy water (if having the correct extraction tool) surely will make the difference to not cleaning at all.

Happy Boating

 

[jondavies]

Re: Cleaning Avon B-7 Valves

Oooops -- they're A-7 valves, not B-7.

This one:

So, it's worth unscrewing and cleaning them with soap and water?

Do I need a special tool apart from a crescent wrench for the large retaining nut?

Thanks,

Jon

 

[Sea Rider]

Re: Cleaning Avon B-7 Valves

Oooops -- they're A-7 valves, not B-7.

This one:

So, it's worth unscrewing and cleaning them with soap and water?

Do I need a special tool apart from a crescent wrench for the large retaining nut?

Thanks,

Jon

What's underneath the central pin ? There must be a big silicone type o ring, if it's soiled, push spring to open and clean o ring, if it's Zodiac flap type, must change flap, currently don't use this type so cannot guess what's underneath pin, sorry. No need for a special tool, you have the valve alredy removed and in parts, easier to clean, change, whatever the problem.

Happy Boating

 

[jondavies]

Re: Cleaning Avon B-7 Valves

It's hard to see -- it looks like a rubber diaphragm rather than an o-ring but I could be wrong. I'll take it apart and investigate.

Cheers!

Jon