[C320-list] STOVE VALVES

[John morrison]

Thanks for all your thoughts/experiences. I have replaced all of the solenoid and regulator components as well as the hosing to the stove. I was not able to find a recommendation as to when the propane hosing should be replaced but at 22 years I’m guessing it’s not too soon. I’ve looked at the control valves on the stove and it looks not too difficult a job. I’ve got the high temp grease so will get at it.
Thanks
JohnM
1999#574
> On Sep 13, 2021, at 4:45 PM, Guy Smith <guyclarksmith at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> Yep!
> 
> I'm not at my boat, but I remember that the valve is screwed onto a pipe with a couple of screws and the valve stem can be removed by some more screws or bolts with star drive heads maybe. The mechanism is simple... The valve stem is a finely machined, tapered shaft that fits into a tapered hole. There aren't any seals, per se, just the High Temperature grease to stop leakage. The valve stem is pressed into the hole via a spring. 
> The pressure regulator drops the gas pressure to 1-2 psi (or something low psi) so the grease is enough to seal it. They have changed the design of the valves and that's why there's no rebuild kits any more. Unfortunately, you can't buy a replacement valve or have them rebuilt (I talked with the guy who used to rebuild them), you have to get a whole new modern stove! (At least that was my experience...)
> 
> I rebuilt them because one morning the pressure regulator failed to step down the pressure, which blew out the electric safety solenoid (the solenoid was not on yet), which allowed gas pressure at the valve to be upwards of 100 psi! The spring was not designed to hold that pressure and the gas was rushing outta the valve stem like the sound of just opening the gas bottle! Quite scary! Good thing the Regulator failed the instant I was turning on the bottle and not when I had breakfast going on the stove! There was plenty of gas coming outta the valves with that pressure! Would've been a catastrophic fire I bet. 
> 
> I replaced the regulator and solenoid with replacements from Catalina Direct that *specifically* mentioned improvements for this problem. BTW, they also recommend replacing the pressure regulator after 12 years I think (something like that). In any event, I re-greased the valve stems after the new parts were installed and sniffed the heck out of the stove to make sure there were no leaks. 
> 
> I tried to send my experience to the C320 list, but my emails only go to the forum archives and don't get distributed to the email list for some reason. Someone said it might be because I had a yahoo email (smitski2001 at yahoo.com <mailto:smitski2001 at yahoo.com>) but I switched to this gmail account and my emails to the list still don't make it to the email list... :(     Wish I could relate my experiences to everyone and answer questions I might have knowledge/experience of... I often communicate with Troy Dunn and he relays the info...
> 
> If you're handy, you should be able to disassemble the valves and grease 'em. Just get a gas sniffer and make sure you check them well. 
> 
> Good luck!
> ~g
> 
> Guy and Liz Smith
> sv Pleiades
> '97 C320 #452
> Worton Creek, MD USA
> 
> On Mon, Sep 13, 2021 at 3:55 PM John Morrison <sail-ability at sympatico.ca <mailto:sail-ability at sympatico.ca>> wrote:
> Did U do the rebuild? Problems?
> JohnM 
> 
> Sent from my iPhone
> 
>> On Sep 13, 2021, at 9:52 AM, Guy Smith <guyclarksmith at gmail.com <mailto:guyclarksmith at gmail.com>> wrote:
>> 
>> 
>> Hey John,
>> 
>> I rebuilt the valve with High Pressure/Temperature grease. This was recommended by the company that used to have rebuild kits for the valves. The valve seats may be dry and lock up when heated. Have had no problems in a few years.... The shipping cost was more than the product. :)
>> 
>> 
>> 609-689-3000
>> 609-259-3575 (fax)
>> nj.sales at mcmaster.com <mailto:nj.sales at mcmaster.com>
>> 
>> 1962N11 <https://www.mcmaster.com/nav/enter.asp?partnum=1962N11>	High-Pressure Food-Grade Bearing Grease, 0.2 oz. Syringe
>> 
>> On Mon, Sep 13, 2021 at 7:37 AM John morrison <sail-ability at sympatico.ca <mailto:sail-ability at sympatico.ca>> wrote:
>> I have been having trouble with the control valves on my stove of late. The valves are ceasing when they get hot and can’t be turned off until they cool down. Anyone experience this issue and engineered a fix?
>> JohnM
>> 1999#574