Help! My Knobs Got Stuck!!

[Victor Vectis]

OK, I thought I'd better get the fnarr fnarrs out of the way first.

 

The knob in question is not part of my anatomy but one on the Vanette hob on the boat.

Normal operation is push down, twist and ignite gas. This one is stuck in the down position and resistant to being twisted. Its the one that gets the most use, if that means anything.

 

I'm wondering about squirting some WD-40, or 3 in 1 oil down the shaft but thought I'd better ask on here first in case thats not a good idea with gas installations.

 

Any ideas folks?

[MtB]

3-in1 is likely to perish the neoprene O ring seal. WD40 will be fine but the problem will return.

 

Correct fix is to dismantle the gas tap and lubricate it with silicone grease.

(Or even 'gas tap grease' if you can find any!)

[Delta9]

I wouldn't recommend using WD40 on your shaft

[Victor Vectis]

3-in1 is likely to perish the neoprene O ring seal. WD40 will be fine but the problem will return.

 

Correct fix is to dismantle the gas tap and lubricate it with silicone grease.

(Or even 'gas tap grease' if you can find any!)

 

Thanks for that, its the sort of information I was looking for. Going further, how easy would the gas tap dismantle be?

I wouldn't recommend using WD40 on your shaft

 

Norty step for you my lad. I thought we'd got the fnarr fnarrs out of the way!

[Loafer]

I wouldn't recommend using WD40 on your shaft

 

Even when it's STUCK?

[Victor Vectis]

 

Even when it's STUCK?

 

Oh dear, not you as well.

 

< Sighs loudly> I can see this is a post we're all going to have to work at, children.

 

Edited February 21, 2016 by Victor Vectis

[Loafer]

Sir, Sir, there are some adults round the corner over there in 'Current Affairs'!

[bizzard]

The best releasing agent is a bucket of water thrown by a dog.

[Loafer]

The best releasing agent is a bucket of water thrown by a dog.

 

Oh yes, and there's also Bizzard. Sorry!

[Ex Brummie]

Rocol gas tap grease is what you need, but as Mike says, dismantling the tap is not a D I Y job.

[Loafer]

Rocol gas tap grease is what you need, but as Mike says, dismantling the tap is not a D I Y job.

 

Wow keep it down over there, would ya?

[Victor Vectis]

Quiet in the cheap seats!

 

Come on class, settle down.

 

Rocol gas tap grease is what you need, but as Mike says, dismantling the tap is not a D I Y job.

 

Any offers of whats involved?

I was sort of hoping the valve would be a plug cock(ish) affair but I'm begininng to realise that its a bit more complicated than that.

Edited February 21, 2016 by Victor Vectis

[Loafer]

Quiet in the cheap seats!

 

Come on class, settle down.

 

 

Any offers of whats involved?

I was sort of hoping the valve would be a plug cock(ish) affair but I'm begininng to realise that its a bit more complicated than that.

 

Plug cock(ish) affairs generally are a bit complicated, IME. What do you think, Biz?

Edited February 21, 2016 by Loafer

[WotEver]

So your plug clock shaft is stuck???

 

No, I'm not going to go there...

[Loafer]

I once saw a big shut-off valve in a boiler room, that had a sign above it, saying 'HOT WATER COCK'

 

Some wag had crayoned in underneath 'OK MATE'

[Victor Vectis]

So your plug clock shaft is stuck???

 

I didn't say it was made in China.

 

[WotEver]

 

I didn't say it was made in China.

 

Damn that autocorrect

[Jon12345]

Molycote Gas Cock grease sold at most local merchants under the regin brand.

 

http://www.plumbcenter.co.uk/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10201&productId=605195&urlRequestType=Base&langId=44&catalogId=100

[BEngo]

Dismantling vanette gas taps is easy, and the how is pretty obvious. IIRC there is only one screw and the gas connection. There is a spring in there somewhere.o

Remember to do a gas leak check afterwards, not forgetting round the shaft.

N

[WotEver]

Remember to do a gas leak check afterwards, not forgetting round the shaft.

N

After watching a gas fitter plumbing in 2" gas pipes to burners in a fish n chip shop once I was somewhat bemused to see him checking for leaks around the joints with a lighted taper.

 

Tony

[Bod]

After watching a gas fitter plumbing in 2" gas pipes to burners in a fish n chip shop once I was somewhat bemused to see him checking for leaks around the joints with a lighted taper.

 

Tony

You were close enough to see!!!

 

 

Bod

[bag 'o' bones]

Assuming that the gas valve is designed to be dismantled (rather than the sealed for life variety) for lubrication and seal replacement it should be a reasonably straightforward operation. Had a quick look at 'vannete' type valves on tinterweb and it appears that only basic hand tools are required.

 

Whenever I take anything apart which looks a bit complicated is it useful to have a multi-compartment tray to store the screws and a mobile phone handy to take pictures of each dismantling stage.

 

Obviously your dealing with a gas valve so after reassembly you'll want check for gas tightness with some proper leak detector.

 

Perhaps not a DIY operation for those who are not confident in their abilities but certainly quite doable for those with an affinity with mechanical things.

Edited February 22, 2016 by bag 'o' bones

[BEngo]

After watching a gas fitter plumbing in 2" gas pipes to burners in a fish n chip shop once I was somewhat bemused to see him checking for leaks around the joints with a lighted taper.

 

Tony

The odd small gas leak in a chippy probably doesn't really matter- they all catch fire sooner or later. Suspiciously often this seems to be when a refit is needed. :-)

 

N

[bag 'o' bones]

The odd small gas leak in a chippy probably doesn't really matter- they all catch fire sooner or later. Suspiciously often this seems to be when a refit is needed. :-)

 

N

Similar to as ex public houses - funny how they suddenly catch fire when change of use is rejected!

[MtB]

After watching a gas fitter plumbing in 2" gas pipes to burners in a fish n chip shop once I was somewhat bemused to see him checking for leaks around the joints with a lighted taper.

 

Tony

 

 

 

Strictly forbidden these days, but it is actually the easiest way to find a small leak.

 

It's forbidden because in the event of a Big Leak, this method can go badly wrong!