glcaines
Well-known member
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Generally you can just clean out the ones you have to stop the leakage. Or replace them with affordable ball valves.
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Thanks! Your advice was spot on. I cancelled my order for the new drain valves. I removed the old ones and I was amazed at how much trash came out. The two on the tanks were very tight but I was able to get them loose with a hand wrench. The center one was virtually solid. I had to put a piece of 2 foot pipe on the end of my 1 foot wrench for more leverage and use my foot on the end of the pipe to get it to come loose while holding a long wrench with both hands on the fitting it was screwed into. I don't think it had ever been removed previously. I was afraid I was going to break something, but it finally came loose. Once loose it unscrewed by hand. The fitting was packed full of corroded crud. I started the engine to let the air blow out as much as I could. I plan on removing all three again after a few hours of the compressor running to make sure I get most of the stuff out. After re-installation, none of the drain valves are leaking anymore. I also think your idea of possibly using ball valves is a very good idea since the ball valves have a large enough passage to let crud come out under air pressure.
[/QUOTE]
Thanks! Your advice was spot on. I cancelled my order for the new drain valves. I removed the old ones and I was amazed at how much trash came out. The two on the tanks were very tight but I was able to get them loose with a hand wrench. The center one was virtually solid. I had to put a piece of 2 foot pipe on the end of my 1 foot wrench for more leverage and use my foot on the end of the pipe to get it to come loose while holding a long wrench with both hands on the fitting it was screwed into. I don't think it had ever been removed previously. I was afraid I was going to break something, but it finally came loose. Once loose it unscrewed by hand. The fitting was packed full of corroded crud. I started the engine to let the air blow out as much as I could. I plan on removing all three again after a few hours of the compressor running to make sure I get most of the stuff out. After re-installation, none of the drain valves are leaking anymore. I also think your idea of possibly using ball valves is a very good idea since the ball valves have a large enough passage to let crud come out under air pressure.