stuck thru hulls

[bud37]

Anyone got any tips for loosening up quarter turn thru hull valves....seems both engines and genny were not exercised and are now stuck wide open. I haven't really applied any force yet as boat is still in and being used.....anyone ??

[mjk1040]

Bud, wait until you pull it out and just replace them. Mike

[tomschauer]

I agree with Mike. Don't mess with them while in the water you might get more than you bargained for. If you want to go the cheap route, when the boat is pulled, remove the hoses and spray a lot of wd 40 on the ball and let it soak.

[bud37]

Thanks guys, that is why I didn't reef on them when I tried em, was just hoping to get the Genny winterized ( was hoping for the secret fix ) before pulling boat....looks like it can wait.... looks like maybe the valves are separate from the thru hulls, got to take the strainers out anyway to clean and refit ( 4 of them) ( winter job )..all good...

[tomschauer]

Yes, valves are separate from the thru hull fitting. When removing the valve be certain to have a wrench on the nipple after the thru hull so you do not move or break the thru hull.

[mjk1040]

Bud; Purchase the Sea Flush System, around a $ 100.00. Easiest way I found to winterize the genny, AC and engines if you have strainers or even if you don't. Buy all the attachments that go with it and watch the you tube videos, a ten year old winterizes the boat in ten minutes! Mike

[bud37]

Well as it turned out I got all the thru hulls unstuck and working smooth now without removal thankfully, was much less stressful with boat out of the water.....got a piece of 1 1/2" pvc pipe about a foot and a bit long to add some oomph and worked them back and forth gently until smooth.....going to leave pipe in bilge now as it makes it easier to reach valve handles so they can be exercised regularly to avoid any further issues..... ...

[RGrew176]

I would still spray some lubricant into the thru-hull and move the levers back and forth to loosen them up some more. WD-40 or my favorite Silicon spray works well.

[mjk1040]

Bud, next spring check them when in the water and make sure they do in fact shut off completely. Had an AC thru hull that was stuck and got it freed, but would not shut off completely so winterizing it while in the water won't work. Changed out that next fall. If you do have to change them out, make sure you have a good wrench on the thru hull so it does not move at all, you don't want to break the seal. That's a real good reason to only change them well your hauled out, just in case! Now that you have them freed up, exercise then periodically! Mike

[Viper]

Your vintage likely incorporates a Teflon ball valve. While they say it doesn't require lubrication, I believe in lubricating them anyway. The fact that they get a little stiff sometimes is an indication that cleaning and lubricating is required. There are lubricants on the market for seacocks/valves. Forespar comes to mind but I'm sure there are others. Any good water resistant grease should do that's Teflon friendly. Not much needed to do the job either. You want to grease the ball inside as well as the shaft port attached to the handle. You'll need to remove the hose to get to the ball. Apply the lubricant, work it in by operating the valve several times, and leave in the open position before you walk away. The worse thing you can do is not open and close them periodically.