old 400 bottle valve

[nevadacowboy]

Hi Kev,


The 400 bottle on a 1997 Mk1 I recently purchased is leaking big style. It has the old ball bearing type valve. Is there anything I can do to cure it.  The best fittings replacement inserts do not fit.


Bob

[Ca_Varminter]

The old Carbide ball-Bearing valve had a problem with leaking when not install on the Rapid.
The leaking is due to debris lodged between the seat and ball-bearing.
The Quick fix is to try a quick blast of air.. to clear it.

The real fix is to take the valve off the bottle.
On the bottom of the valve, there is a retaining screw.
Remove this screw, there is a spring and the Carbide ball-bearing.
Clean the ball. Then clean the seat in the valve body with a swab.
Check for any sort rust or corrosion.. this usually occurs if the bottle was being filled by a stirrup handpump!!
Not the Driest air source.

This should do it!!

Good Luck,
Stuart

[KevG]

I've converted a couple of my ball valves for delrin pip type,but to be honest the time and messing about you may as well just get a new valve.some of the old ball valve bottles can be real pigs to remove the valve
KevG

[nevadacowboy]

Fortunately I have managed with a lot of effort and heat to remove the old valve.  I tried on of the best fittings delrin pips but they don't fit.  I have now ordered a complete new valve from Best Fittings.

[jackrooz]

I have a Dr bobs valve and new seal kit should you want that ..

I had problems with best fitting restricting the flow or air with mine

[nevadacowboy]

I will try the best fittings valve first as I have already ordered that, will let you know how it goes.

[nevadacowboy]

@KevG I have replaced the old ball valve with a best fittings valve on a 400 bottle but the bottle no longer butts up to the bottle adapter which is a original Mk1 type with the split in the threads.  If I fitted the longer Mk2 style bottle adapter would this resolve the issue.  All solutions gratefully received.

[KevG]

sounds like the common problem. with best fittings valves,by rights it should but up to metal on metal contact,could well be the same on a mk2 type,,both have same depth of internal bottle threads.
KevG

[nevadacowboy]

Thanks Kev.