Foot-valve Maintenance.

Foot-valve Maintenance.

It is a good idea to at least once a year to perform a routine maintenance check of your foot valve.

Why you may ask if the valve is working why check it? Good question and the answer is simple take for instance you use a strainer & mesh to cover your valve. The valve is protected by the strainer or mesh from larger material entering the system, but what happens is the micro material enters the valve and can bring about a problem. First it forms a silt layer on the O ring, the rubber seal of the plunger stop, the rubber seal on the plunger itself & makes the plunger shaft sticky. Over a period of time you end up with a leaking valve.

To fix the trouble is simple at home and a pain in the as$ out in the field. Unless you have a vice with you!

Step one, remove the O ring from the plunger stop and give it a good clean.



Step two, clean the inner rubber seal on the plunger stop & replace the O ring.



Step three; clean the rubber seal on the plunger making sure there is no grit behind the seal.



Step four; give the plunger shaft a gentle sand back with fine sandpaper, so it is smooth all over including the edges.

Step five; replace all the parts back in the housing, but make sure you also test the strength of the return spring if it is weak you may need to give it a gentle pull just a tad. That should do the trick. Cheers
© JB 06/03/2011

Thanks James101 for that info timely indeed as we all head out to the gold as the heat goes away!!