Leaking Pressure Reducing Valve

[whaler23]

My 1974 36C has a pressure reducing valve that looks like the pic in the 9th response here:

http://www.samsmarine.com/forums/showthread.php?t=9744&highlight=pressure+reducing+valve

The valve has a capped off outlet on it that has sprung a pinhole leak where the cap meets the valve and I can't get the cap off for anything, heat, lubricants, etc, haven't worked. Short of replacing the entire valve, it seems they are still available at www.watts.com what are my options to either remove the tap cap or can I solder or otherwise the pinhole so it will hold pressure.

 

[fissioneng]

The valve has a capped off outlet on it that has sprung a pinhole leak where the cap meets the valve and I can't get the cap off for anything, heat, lubricants, etc, haven't worked. Short of replacing the entire valve, it seems they are still available at www.watts.com what are my options to either remove the tap cap or can I solder or otherwise the pinhole so it will hold pressure.

So it is not in use anymore? The outlet has a plug in it? I'm a little confused. If it's not in use, why is it leaking?

If there is one pinhole leak, there usually will be others soon, so I would probably replace the whole thing since it is so old and they are relatively inexpensive.

 

[whaler23]

this capped off outlet has never been used as far as I can tell and the pinhole has developed where the plug threads into the valve. I can't get the plug loose to determine the source as it appears right at the seam. This capped off outlet is right above the outlet going to the pump side of the system.

 

[Beckytek]

The reducing valve on my boat has a cap on the removable screen. You remove the cap to clean the screen. Maybe that is what you have. If you can't remove it, maybe its time for a new one. Ron

 

[fissioneng]

The reducing valve on my boat has a cap on the removable screen. You remove the cap to clean the screen. Maybe that is what you have. If you can't remove it, maybe its time for a new one. Ron

Yes, that plug/screen is supposed to on the INLET side of the reducer so things don't get stuck in the reducer. That photo is of my boat and the plug/screen is to the right of the reducer body facing upwards. The copper line on the right comes down from my deck fitting. The line to the left goes to my fresh water system.

I had to do some maintenance on mine several years ago. I had to put the whole reducer in a vise and use a big pipe wrench to disassemble it.