I have a pressure tank that is in need of a new valve stem for pressurizing the tank. Last year, when disconnecting the water at the cottage, someone zip placed his foot on the tank to pull to gain some leverage while separating waterlines (abs) and his foot slipped against the pressure valve causing it to leak. What I had in mind, was to get a threaded valve stem and have a matching nut welded on the tank over the hole of the previous valve stem. Sound like it may work?
Yeah, it sure is removable...all you have to do is press on it with your size 12's! It is actually the same valve stem as you would have in your vehicle's rims. It has to be pulled through from the inside to be installed. That is why I was hoping a threaded one would work.
That is why I hope to be able to have a fitting for the valve stem welded onto the tank. Wouldn't take much at all. Maybe just try to cut some threads into the valve stem hole of the tank first? The valve stem is (was) on the top of the tank.
If you remove the old valve, could you "plug" the hole by "studding" the (new) nut to keep slag from dropping down to the bladder? Then just run a series of tack welds around the periphery of the nut?
Instead of welding, maybe brazing would be better? I once needed a repair on my harley. The kickstand retainer spring stud snapped of the bottom of the gearcase. the welder I chose had me hold it and he welded it into place without draining anything at all! Never had trouble with that again. It may have been aluminum, not sure.
I got the old valve stem out without dropping anything inside the tank. Maybe just a little shred of rubber off the stem base, but that's it-nothing that would be detrimental to the operation of the tank. I plan on stopping by an auto parts store and picking their brains for ideas.
Report results immediately upon completion-good or bad- but hopefully good. And try not to step on the repair if it works....
Don't laugh - I would try JB weld. With good prep and plenty of surface area, I am sure it would hold. Maybe weld the nut on a large washer or steel plate, and JB Weld on the tank?
Well, I got another valve stem to try to insert from the top through into the tank instead of pulling it through as you normally would install a valve stem. First, I laid the valve stem into the hole to squeeze as much of the base of the stem as I could into the hole. Next, I used a flat screwdriver to gently and gradually squeeze the rest of the valve stem base in through the hole. The whole process took slightly over a minute! The tank is currently pressurized and will be waiting to verify the pressure at a later time (tomorrow). Can't believe how easy it was. Now I wonder just how many people out there have replaced their pressure tanks just because the valve stem broke off?
"When they step on them and break 'em...... " Glad you got it working without JB or duct tape or actual welding!
