Zodiac delrin valve replacement

[evert]

Has anyone changed the entire valves on the Zodiac delrin valves?
I have some damage in one of the valve seats, but have not been able to find any instructions on how to get it off the tubes.

[jeffstevens763@g]

Look up polymarine valve info on their site.

[Peter_C]

Just to be clear the part inside the tube is damaged? What is the damage? Photos always help. Best bet would be to work with the part already inside the boat if possible.

Changing the valve is possible, but you will have to cut the boat open a little at the valve with scissors, then glue in new doughnuts around the valve opening after putting the new valve base in. I just replaced all my AB's valves with Leafield D7's, and removed the inner doughnut, cut slots, glued a new inner doughnut in place along with a larger outer doughnut. The glue I use, Stabond, is very temperature and humidity sensitive. For strength only a two part glue should be used. The fabric material shouldn't be hard to find, but color could be an issue on the outside doughnut.

[evert]

Thanks to both of you.
Just looked at the polymarine website and they show the valves and describe how to put new valves in, but they dont describe how to remove the original.
I dont want to start cutting into the tube, hoped it was possible to screw the valve out or heat up glue.

Dont have any pictures at the moment, but the damage is in the seat for the O-ring, on the part mounted on the tube. It holds air when screwed in tight, which is a bit damaging to the O-ring, but it may be easiest to just live with it.

[Peter_C]

The outer part unscrews from the part inside, while the "core" unscrews from the center. I used a pair of needle nose pliers to remove and install new cores into my previous Zodiac as they leaked air.

To break the outer ring off start with the tube inflated to give more purchase on it.

Hopefully these videos will help you figure out where your leak is and what needs to be done. Sounds like your core is leaking, but it isn't fully clear to me. Dishwashing liquid while the tube is under pressure should determine what is leaking.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r03Hj1fUVPc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aMVP0Ejqg6w

[evert]

Thanks again. I'e found those videos previously googling the issue, but unfortunately those are not the valves in my boat.
The valves called delrin valves, shown in schematic drawing bottom left at this page are the ones I'm struggling with:
Zodiac « Inflatable Boat Valve Advice Guide

From this drawing, it seems like they may be possible to unscrew, but I've not been able to get them to move.

[Peter_C]

So are you talking the one in the inflatable keel which is also used on Speed Tubes? Looks like a Delta? The "core" delta shaped part should unscrew rather easily, like by hand without tools. I've not removed the lower part but it should come off with a tool. A photo of the damage or at least a better explanation would be helpful. If it is the collar nut that needs replacement you can do that without replacing the part inside the tube.

The diaphragm is easily replaceable and typically is what leaks. Often they can just be cleaned even.