sticky air dump valve in my Oceanic BC

[Doug B]

Hey guys,
I've got a Oceanic BC with an air dump valve in the lower-left-rear corner. When I pull the string to open the valve, it opens just fine... it just has trouble closing back up again.

I can "poke" at the valve with something small (like a pen), and make it snap back to a closed position very easily... but underwater, this isn't an option.

I don't use this dump valve very often, but I do use it once in a while.

I'd like to fix it. Does the valve just "screw" off? If so, it takes more than "hand strength" to remove it. I'd have to put a set of channel locks (gently) on it to unscrew it.

I'm thinking the spring isn't seated very well, and not pushing down straight.

[wxboy911]

I bought an Aeris Atmos used and I had it checked out by the Aeris service guy around here-even thought it cost a few bucks I knew I was over my head knowing what needed to be fixed. Is there a loacal shop you know the people well enough to get some advice? I found that the parts for my Aeris were not standard-hoses on certain BC's can be interchanged but the Aeris and probably yours have 3/4" which is not standard....I guess what I am saying is that even if you get it off you may need an authorized dealer to order you a new one unless its something obvious getting stuck in the valve. Good Luck.

[tc_rain]

I have a Sea Quest and the dump valve just screws off. There is not much to them and anyone will be able to fix it and see how it works once it is removed.

[scubamate]

The dump cover will unscrew. Check to make sure the spring is seated properly then you can lubricate all the parts and surfaces with a little silicone grease. (just enough to make the surfaces shiny)

[George1971]

[quote=Doug B;37833]Hey guys,
I've got a Oceanic BC with an air dump valve in the lower-left-rear corner. When I pull the string to open the valve, it opens just fine... it just has trouble closing back up again.

I'd like to fix it. Does the valve just "screw" off? If so, it takes more than "hand strength" to remove it. I'd have to put a set of channel locks (gently) on it to unscrew it.

I own an Oceanic Probe, and I encountered the same problem this weekend. My dump valve does just unscrew, and I made sure that everything was cleaned, seated properly, and greased and put it all back together and got three more dives in Sunday with no problem. Hope this helps.
I'm thinking the spring isn't seated very well, and not pushing down straight.

[quasimoto]

Originally Posted by scubamate

The dump cover will unscrew. Check to make sure the spring is seated properly then you can lubricate all the parts and surfaces with a little silicone grease. (just enough to make the surfaces shiny)

I don't think I would put an silicone on it. Think about it..something sticky in an environment that has sand, silt, salt, etc. I think your asking for trouble with grease.

Just unscrew it and clean the parts, There isn't much that can go wrong. It is basically a flap with a string attached and a spring to hold it into place. Also clean the seat area where the flap closes to. I know my Zeagle has done this over the time and it was because of crap dried in there.
Also watch real closely when you threading it back on. Sometimes the threads are fine and you can get them cross threaded really quickly.

[scubamate]

Originally Posted by quasimoto

I don't think I would put an silicone on it. Think about it..something sticky in an environment that has sand, silt, salt, etc. I think your asking for trouble with grease.

Just unscrew it and clean the parts, There isn't much that can go wrong. It is basically a flap with a string attached and a spring to hold it into place. Also clean the seat area where the flap closes to. I know my Zeagle has done this over the time and it was because of crap dried in there.
Also watch real closely when you threading it back on. Sometimes the threads are fine and you can get them cross threaded really quickly.

I've done it every time I've serviced my BCs over the last several years and have never had a sticky dump or inflator valve.

You should only use enough silicone to make the parts shiny and wipe away any excess with your fingers.

[datamunk]

yea, just a smidgen of grease.

i have a oceanic probe that i use for classes mainly, and, one time doin a boat dive i couldnt hold any air in my BC when i was doin predive checks, so i unscrewed the dump valve (thats where it was hissin from) and it looked like a piece of paper that got soakin wet and into the valve and dried... after that worked fine.

if its tough to unscrew, make sure u note this and dont put it on overly tight when u rebuild it

[Splitlip]

Yes, somehing like a wet piece of paper would act as OP describes. Funny what finds it's way.

The unit has to unscrew. Never seen a BC with an OPV that won't unscrew. (how would you put them together?)

I was taught to remove and clean the flapper after every dive. I still do today. Makes rinsing the BC real easy too.

Now they recommend not doing that and taking it to an authorized service rep. I think somebody once forgot to replace the flapper.

I think about Larry's light bulb analogy...

[JahJahwarrior]

If you are diving with nitrox, you need to use Cristolube, not silicone, due to the higher oxygen content. Other than that, everything said above is correct.



















(just kidding! Seriously, use silicone.)