Recommendation points
- Preparatory work
- Required tool
- The process of revision of a cork cone coupling valve
- The process of revision of the cork conical bushing tension valve
- Results of the work done
A positive feature of Soviet gas taps is their long service life and maintainability. However, such a valve requires regular maintenance, since the tightness of such a device is ensured by lapping the valve plug to the body, read more about this in our article.
The smell of gas in the area of the plug valve is by no means a reason to replace it, but you still have to call a gas service representative to eliminate the cause of the leak.
This article describes step by step the process of revising two of the most popular gas cork cone taps: coupling and tension. Note that this article is not a call to action, but is offered solely for informational purposes, since gas hazardous work must be performed by specialized organizations that have the necessary permits. It will be useful to those who wish to personally verify the quality of the valve audit performed by the gas service.
Preparatory work
Before proceeding with the audit of the gas valve, it is necessary to find out whether the valve is really the source of the leak. To do this, wash the tap by applying foam to the connections. We find the places where gas passes to make sure that the valve is really the cause of the leak.
Note.The hose leading to the gas equipment was deliberately removed to show that a gas leak from the outside very often means a leak in the valve itself. Therefore, options to grease the case with grease on the outer surface, seal with clay and other folk methods do not completely solve the problem, but only create the illusion of safety.
There is no need to remove the gas valve from the pipeline to carry out an audit. In this article, this is done solely for clarity of the process. However, it is necessary to shut off the gas supply to the gas pipeline and release the pressure, as well as warn the neighbors to turn off all gas-consuming appliances.!
Required tool
To perform a revision, you need the following tool:
- wide flat screwdriver
- open-end wrench No. 17
- gas valve grease
- rags
Note.In the absence of a special gas lubricant, it is quite possible to replace it with graphite lubricant. It is undesirable to use solid oil, since its properties are highly dependent on temperature.
The process of revision of a cork cone coupling valve
Unscrew the threaded plug with a flat screwdriver.
We take out the spring.
With a flat screwdriver, turn the valve plug slightly, pressing on it. Hold the cork with the finger of the other hand. If it gets jammed, you can tap a little with a hammer on the screwdriver.
Note.Do not damage the inner surface of the faucet with a screwdriver and do not drop the plug, to avoid scratches and nicks!
We take out the cork.
Wipe the valve body and the plug with a rag. Dried grease can be removed with gasoline or alcohol.
Remove the remnants of the old grease from the cork with a screwdriver.
Apply a thin layer of grease to the cork.
Place the greased plug in the housing.
We stuff the grease into the cavity where the spring is located.
Place the spring in the cork groove.
Lubricate the threaded plug and screw it into the body for several turns with a screwdriver. The spring must fit into the groove on the plug.
Tightening the threaded plug with a screwdriver, we adjust the smoothness of the crane. We check by turning the plug with a screwdriver. The crane should not be forced to turn, but it should not move too easily.
The process of revision of the cork conical bushing tension valve
Holding the valve plug with a handle, unscrew the lock nut and nut with a 17 key in turn.
Remove the limiting washer.
Press with your finger on the cork pin, turning the cork with a handle. If the plug is jammed, you can slightly tap on the stud with a hammer, after having screwed a nut onto it so as not to damage the thread. You need to hit the nut!
We take out the cork.
Cleaning of the plug and body, followed by lubrication and assembly, is carried out in the same way as a coupling valve. We clean the restrictor washer from old grease.
Apply grease to the valve body in the place where the limiting washer fits.
We put the limiting washer on the groove of the stud. For this, we put the valve plug in a half-open position..
We screw the nut with a slot to the valve plug.
Clamping the nut, we adjust the degree of valve tension. We check by turning the tap handle. The crane should not be forced to turn, but it should not move too easily. We tighten the lock nut.
Check the smoothness again.
Results of the work done
No gas leaks were found after gas supply and control soaping! The tap is sealed and began to work much more pleasantly, without jamming!
I’m intrigued by this topic and would love to learn more about conducting an audit of Soviet gas taps. Could you please provide more information on the specific steps involved in this process? Additionally, do you have any recommendations or resources for someone looking to gain a better understanding of auditing techniques related to Soviet-era infrastructure?
Could someone please provide guidance on how to conduct a thorough audit of Soviet gas taps? I’m curious to learn about the techniques, equipment, and necessary expertise required for a successful assessment. Additionally, are there any specific challenges one should be prepared for when dealing with Soviet gas taps? Thank you in advance for sharing your insights!