regreasing a twinset manifold?

[weazelz]

does anyone have a guide for regreasing a twinset manifold? the knobs on my agir manifold are a little hard to turn - particularly in cold water - even with decent sherwood rubber knobs

thanks

~andy

[Mal Bridgeman]

1) Empty the set
2) Pick a valve
3) Undo the rubber knob (use fine pliers or screwdriver with a split in it)
4) Take care not to lose the spring
5) undo the big brass nut
6) undo the spigot to remove the actual valve seat
7) In the brass nut there is a nylon bush which can be removed by gently using the spigot
8) use a soft brush and white vinegar to clean off all the gunk especially the white grease from all parts.
9) Use your wife's ultrasonic jewellery cleaner bath to assist if you like
10) Dry everything with lint free material
11) smear a tiny amount of O2 grease on the valve seat threads, round the O ring on the spigot and on the nylon bush
12) Reassemble the parts ... don't overtighten the nut and make sure the spring is not done too tightly
13) Operate the valve and marvel at the ease with which is moves.
14) Move on to the next valve
15) Go to 2

When you then try valve drills next time you will be astonished at how freely they turn ... almost too freely so be careful when doing drills not to just keep opening and closing the valve with each hand movement

HTH
Mal

[pauldiving]

i have done mine its just as mal says, keep it nice and clean,

worth doing every few months i feel,


good luck

[MarkP]

May I just add:

Originally Posted by Mal Bridgeman

1) Empty the set
2) Pick a valve

2a) Completely open valve

Originally Posted by Mal Bridgeman

3) Undo the rubber knob (use fine pliers or screwdriver with a split in it)
4) Take care not to lose the spring
5) undo the big brass nut
6) undo the spigot to remove the actual valve seat
7) In the brass nut there is a nylon bush which can be removed by gently using the spigot
8) use a soft brush and white vinegar to clean off all the gunk especially the white grease from all parts.
9) Use your wife's ultrasonic jewellery cleaner bath to assist if you like
10) Dry everything with lint free material
11) smear a tiny amount of O2 grease on the valve seat threads, round the O ring on the spigot and on the nylon bush
12) Reassemble the parts ... don't overtighten the nut and make sure the spring is not done too tightly
13) Operate the valve and marvel at the ease with which is moves.
14) Move on to the next valve
15) Go to 2

It'll make it easier to undo.

[ardhill]

Question...

10) Dry everything with lint free material

Which materials are lint free and suitable?

When I do stuff like this, I dry the parts on a heater cause I am never sure I won't leave bit's of fluff of the glass cloth, towel, kitchen roll or whatever.

Thanks

[Mal Bridgeman]

Originally Posted by ardhill

Question...


Which materials are lint free and suitable?

When I do stuff like this, I dry the parts on a heater cause I am never sure I won't leave bit's of fluff of the glass cloth, towel, kitchen roll or whatever.

Thanks

Dry PC Screen wipes ... I have a load made by Niceday .....

I am sure you can use a corner of your T-shirt but your wife might not like that .... The key thing to avoid is carbon based greases.

HTH
Mal

[nickb]

I always use compressed air to dry the bits off. Fortunately, I'm a diver and always have a readily available source of compressed air in my garage.

[weazelz]

Originally Posted by Mal Bridgeman

...

thanks Mal. I'll have to have a twiddle of your knobs next saturday to see the difference it makes

[ianfirmin]

I've just done my "new" manifold. The insides were covered with a soft white soapy substance (smegma-like really but I'm far too genteel to use that term) plus the odd glittering of swarf. The white wine vinegar was no help (that's Tesco for you) but I finally got everything clean and re-assembled with a smidgen of runny O2 grease. Big difference. I'll see if it makes the same difference with pressure in them when I get them filled.

BTW, the spindle housing was stainless and the white nylon spindle sleeve did not come out. Not wanting to possibly damage it I cleaned it in situ. I kept the old "O" rings as they looked immaculate and I liked the lime green colour.

Thanks for the help.
ATB
Ian

[ardhill]

Originally Posted by ianfirmin

I kept the old "O" rings as they looked immaculate and I liked the lime green colour.

The Green O rings are the O2 compatible ones, you want those type and not the black ones unless you never use Nitrox or Trimix, only air.