Fresh water drain plug sticks

skipj · 07-16-2003, 11:19 AM

The fresh water drain petcock on my trailer is very hard to turn. Is there anything I can use to lube it? Is silicone oil ok for plastic?
SkipJ

Tripp · 07-16-2003, 11:55 AM

Not familiar with the PVC type petcock on A/S, but on the pool at my old house, I used to use baby oil on the PVC valves for the solar panels. Worked like a charm.

Tripp

**jcanavera** · 07-16-2003, 12:34 PM

Yea mine is a bear also. The problem is getting it started since the little tab sits against a flat surface. There is no easy way to get your finger behind the tab. Sometime a small screwdriver just to pry the tab away far enough is all you need to do. Once you get your finger behind the tab you can apply the force necessary to open it up. I haven't had to take the lubrication route at this point.

Jack

Silvertwinkie · 07-16-2003, 02:38 PM

On the '03s (at least the Bambi), those type valves are gone. They use a smaller version of the valve that connects to a house toilet, except these move very, very smoothly. No binding at all.

Pahaska · 07-16-2003, 02:57 PM

Mine has a PVC ball valve. There is an elbow and the ball valve hangs right under the tank woth a big handle. Very easy to operate, but I worry sometimes about it hanging so low.

john hd · 07-16-2003, 05:02 PM

skip

as near as i can tell it is made from nylon.

i used silicone dielectric grease on mine.

if you push up on the bottom while turning it pops up. then you can remove the core.

plain corn oil might work also.

john

Pahaska · 07-17-2003, 08:10 AM

Strange. I answered a question on another thread and it ended up on this thread instead. I had a line drop while answering and that might explain it.

Sorry, I didn't mean to confuse the issue..

skipj · 07-17-2003, 08:45 AM

I'm sorry I didn't describe the problem clearly enough. The petcock I'm talking about is the one under the trailer to drain the fresh water tank for winterizing etc.
Sorry,
SkipJ

SilverGate · 10-22-2009, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skipj

The fresh water drain petcock on my trailer is very hard to turn. Is there anything I can use to lube it? Is silicone oil ok for plastic?
SkipJ

Well, 6 years have gone by and SkipJ's question seems to have been not fully answered...

And my fresh water drain petcock did not want to budge when I tried to open it with my hand, and I don't want to break it so...

Does anyone have any updates, hints and/or ideas re: this problem?

2airishuman · 10-22-2009, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SilverGate

Well, 6 years have gone by and SkipJ's question seems to have been not fully answered...

it looks answered from my reading.

the wings on the nylon petcock are very strong.

once thought i'd break it too, but did not.

as jack notes in THIS thread 6 years ago...

the main issue is turning it TOO FAR (open or closed) so that a finger won't fit behind it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by skipj

... Is there anything I can use to lube it? Is silicone oil ok for plastic?...

and as john suggests, one may use dielectric silicone grease for lube.

i use food grade silicone spray which penetrates the mechanism, making turns easier.

silicone (siloxanes) are not OIL, but they are sometimes put in an oily substrate.

some of the 100% silicone sprays indicate on the label "safe for nylon or plastic"

and food grade is even better around the galley and water supply.

and just remember NOT to turn too far.

as soon as the flow stops it's closed, and full open is about 45 degrees .

here's an old post on this, i use the SAME spray on window gaskets and door gasket and the FRIDGE gaskets....

http://www.airforums.com/forums/602814-post4.html

the stuff a/s uses is made by dow "316" and that's what i use because it's food grade.

cheers
2air'

SilverGate · 10-22-2009, 10:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2airishuman

...

the wings on the nylon petcock are very strong.

once thought i'd break it too, but did not...

i use food grade silicone spray which penetrates the mechanism, making turns easier.

silicone (siloxanes) are not OIL, but they are sometimes put in an oily substrate.

some of the 100% silicone sprays indicate on the label "safe for nylon or plastic"

and food grade is even better around the galley and water supply.

and just remember NOT to turn too far.

as soon as the flow stops it's closed, and full open is about 45 degrees .

here's an old post on this, i use the SAME spray on window gaskets and door gasket and the FRIDGE gaskets....

http://www.airforums.com/forums/602814-post4.html

the stuff a/s uses is made by dow "316" and that's what i use because it's food grade.

cheers
2air'

well, on behalf of SkipJ and myself, i'd say this issue is now fully answered.

thank you, dear wizard of the airforums...

and welcome back!

2airishuman · 10-22-2009, 11:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SilverGate

well, on behalf of SkipJ and myself, i'd say this issue is now fully answered.

thank you, dear wizard of the airforums...

and welcome back!

well ne1 that raises a 6 year dead zombie thread...

knows what's coming in a week or so...

check ur mudflaps!

cheers
2air'

Steve & Susan · 10-23-2009, 06:40 AM

After many painful fingers, different lubricants, and extensions to increase torque, I had AS replace it when we were last in JC - works pretty smoothly now.

SilverGate · 11-06-2009, 03:15 PM

The stuff is now called Molykote 316 and seemed to help.

Details on this and my experience are here.