Corroded Release Valve

[jonny_lech]

The ball bearing in my release valve? It's basically rusted/corroded/whatever in there. It won't come out. Anyone have any good tips on how to remedy this? I tried prying at it with a knife, but no dice.

[JonDubya]

The ball bearing in my release valve? It's basically rusted/corroded/whatever in there. It won't come out. Anyone have any good tips on how to remedy this? I tried prying at it with a knife, but no dice.

If you can heat it with a torch and not damage anything (non-metal parts) that'll cause the metal to expand and you should be able to pop it out with something (screwdriver, awl, etc).  Also note the metal may become discolored after heating it, typically you can polish that away, but I don't know what material the valve is so I cannot guarantee this.

[EternalSoil]

try unscrewing both the cover on the ball and the valve from the stem and pushing it out from the bottom with a small screwdriver or nail or something.

[*HOT&SMOKING*]

Either heating it....or what i suggest is if you can find some acid type liquid....HOWEVER I HAVE NO IDEA HOW THIS WILL EFFECT ANYTHING ELS......I would just imagin it to "burn" away the rust maybe?????
Not sure!!!

-H&S

[Victim026]

Tap the side of the release valve with a hammer, lightly now, then onec it's loose and out clean the valve and the ball bearing with clr and lubricate a bit with olive oil(just a touch now).... No more sticking or rust

[JonDubya]

Either heating it....or what i suggest is if you can find some acid type liquid....HOWEVER I HAVE NO IDEA HOW THIS WILL EFFECT ANYTHING ELS......I would just imagin it to "burn" away the rust maybe?????
Not sure!!!

-H&S

I'd be weary of doing this...if the metal has a chrome coating on it, it's possible the acid could eat that away too.  If it doesn't eat it, then it probably won't eat the rust either.

You can also put the valve in a vice, take a punch and put it on the ball. Hit said punch with hammer.

Good luck! Also if you have some pics, we can probably help you out further with a more precise resolution. Edited July 8, 2007 by JonDubya

[hookahpimp]

Tap the side of the release valve with a hammer, lightly now, then onec it's loose and out clean the valve and the ball bearing with clr and lubricate a bit with olive oil(just a touch now).... No more sticking or rust

yeah i agree with him tap it then the ball will come loose. once it is out take one of those pipe cleaners the onces kids use to do crafts. they are thin enough to clean the entire channel. you can buy em at wallgreens or walmart or any place that has a wall in the name lol

[*HOT&SMOKING*]

Either heating it....or what i suggest is if you can find some acid type liquid....HOWEVER I HAVE NO IDEA HOW THIS WILL EFFECT ANYTHING ELS......I would just imagin it to "burn" away the rust maybe?????
Not sure!!!

-H&S

I'd be weary of doing this...if the metal has a chrome coating on it, it's possible the acid could eat that away too. If it doesn't eat it, then it probably won't eat the rust either.

You can also put the valve in a vice, take a punch and put it on the ball. Hit said punch with hammer.

Good luck! Also if you have some pics, we can probably help you out further with a more precise resolution.

Thanks, thats cool, thats why I said I was not sure what it would do to the rest.....I just thought acid might be one way....but I suppose it does deppend on the type of metal.

-H&S

[Allia22]

Try scrubbing at it with vinegar. I haven't had my hookah too long and the valve system was coated in nicotine/hookah gunk. Vinegar and an old toothbrush cleaned it right out.

[Calcartman]

oil it up and pop it out from the inside using a chisel or a punch.

[mrmonk7663]

This might work also. Take the stem and submerge the part where the bearing is in Coca Cola. Let it sit for a couple hours or so, and then see if it is loose enough to come out. Coca Cola has mild rust eating abilities, and should be perfectly safe for whatever your stem is coated in, be it chrome or something else. Actually, coke is a good chrome polisher too :-) IF it doesn't work, then you have lost nothing.

MIke

[Sonthert]

Try scrubbing at it with vinegar. I haven't had my hookah too long and the valve system was coated in nicotine/hookah gunk. Vinegar and an old toothbrush cleaned it right out.

I agree.

Get a pair of pliers, especially needle-nose. Try that.

Get a couple of long, thick wires (thin brushes will work well for this, too), twist them together to llok like a brush, and enter from the other side and jab at it to see if it will come loose.