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  • Results 1 to 7 of 7

    Thread: Leaky true union 3 in ball valve

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    1. #1
      ckoi is offline Senior Member
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      Leaky true union 3 in ball valve

      Just wondered if my new ball valve for the 3 inch bottom is missing something. I replaced a socket ball valve with a broken handle so this is the first true union valve I have on the pond. When closed no leaks but as I open it water gushes out from top . I screwed it on as tight as I possible could
      . Do the unions have a flat rubber gasket and a big o ring? I did see the O rings on both sides. Any ideas to what the problem is?

      Thanks
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    2. #2
      rcmike is offline Supporting Member
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      Wow, that is a pretty big leak! They have an Oring on both sides. One of them could have moved and not be seated in the slot correctly. I'd take it back apart to see what's going on. Either that or it's way loose.

    3. #3
      Jaymeseywaymsey's Avatar
      Jaymeseywaymsey is offline Senior Member
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      Expanded view diagram.


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    4. #4
      BroHay is offline Senior Member
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      As mentioned, o-ring. You want the connection to seat firmly.

      If the mated surfaces are not touching before tightening, even though solid, there still is a gap and the o-ring can't seal.

      If lost, autoparts store usually have a good selection and so does ACE hardware (or equivalent)? Immediate NOW type fix. Usually find diameter, but the thickness not one readily used in the normal world.

      If o-ring there and surfaces are not touching, then move up the line and try again.

      Pay attention to the depth of your connectors and a 3" distance will probably be close to a 5 1/2" piece of pvc if irrigation type fittings. Work it as two different lines and the union on the valve is what joins them together.

      Adam
      Last edited by BroHay; 12-07-2017 at 05:33 AM.

    5. #5
      Zac Penn is offline Supporting Member
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      The leak is only on the top side of the valve, so you can eliminate the bottom union from suspicion.
      Unscrew the top union, and slide it up the pipe. Look at the two matting surfaces of the union and make sure they are aligned pretty good. If they are slightly off angle then you can have one person wiggle the vertical pipe while you tighten the union down. Don't use large channel locks or a pipe wrench to tighten it, but you can use a rubber strap wrench to tighten it.
      If the surfaces are aligned well, then you are definitely missing the proper o-ring for the union.
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    6. #6
      kimini is offline Senior Member
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      Well hopefully you didn't cross-thread it... As said, back off the threaded collar and look in where the O-right seats. The two faces should be parallel - meaning equidistance apart. There is no need to have to tighten it down super tight; that indicates the two faces aren't properly aligned.

    7. #7
      ckoi is offline Senior Member
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      Ok I feel really stupid, untightened the top union and looked and realized there was a 1cm gap btw the union and ball valve. After tightening there is still a dribble of water but I need to adjust it again. Now my pump is not starting I have to take it apart hopefully its something simply. This ball valve is a breeze to open and close compared to the old one.
      Thanks everyone for your help.

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