Clarke 160te leaking....

[Myles1970]

So the old girl is playing up again...




... A few tacks perfect, then what I think is down to lack of gas coverage (lots of holes and a tendency for the weld to "mushroom"). Could it be that as Im getting to the end of the bottle, there's more chance of air entering the leak?

I've actually known there's been a small leak since I replaced the torch (both times, 2nd one due to switch fault & they're cheap Chinese muck), but apart from having to remember to close the bottle, up until now it hasn't mattered.

Anyway, I've traced the leak to the gas valve in the torch:



Any ideas? Is this common?

 

[Fastdruid]

My Clarke has always leaked from the gas valve in the torch too. After the first time I accidently left the main valve open and emptied an entire bottle I just double check I always turn it off!

 

[Myles1970]

Yep, same happened me a while back too .... but as you get to the end of the bottle, do you find the welds can be carp? Intermittently? I thought once I could hear the whisper of gas, the weld would be shielded

 

[a111r]

I've found that c. 10% of brand new 'generic tat' fixed torches have a gas leakage problem (based on a small sample size of around 30).

These cheap torches can be bought for around £20. They're endemic to most fixed torch models, across the board of mfrs, on machines under £250 - £300. Basically anything without a Euro torch.

There is a 'ghetto fix' available, if you like that sort of thing...?

Remove the gas valve.
Put it in a plastic bag (which stops the small spring vanishing, usually forever)
Select a small hammer with some decent mass, e.g. a 2 lb lump hammer.
Let said hammer 'fall lightly' upon the brass pin, which will bottom it out and push out the circular staked plate retaining the mechanism.

Replace the sealing O-ring that's failed (often due to slack assembly from new) or just worn out.
Clean up, lube with dielectric grease (what I had).
Re-assemble, using the bag again to stop pinging off to oblivion.
Then reinstate the circular disc, hold and use a punch to stake it back in place.

 

[Myles1970]

@a111r gotta be worth a try

 

[a111r]

Yep, well worth a try as there's nothing to lose. I've fixed a couple that way.

You know that you really deserve proper kit for the project, so I won't bother to mention it..

 

[Myles1970]

I got the offending o-ring out.... Now what type of establishment might stock it?

.... while I was in getting a gas refill, I showed them the gas valve on the offchance they'd have one, but he said no, that the complete torch would need replacement and that perhaps I should take it back where I got it. I tried to broach the subject of upgrading the machine (they do sealey and parweld), but my communication skills must have been offline; I'm just up after a 24hr shift.... I don't think they do part-ex

 

[Cobbler]

Gas valves are available, Weldequip show them on their site, Machine Mart should be able to get one or I understand Clarke spares are pretty good. You should be able to get an o ring easy enough though, check out hydraulic suppliers.

 

[Myles1970]

Gas valves are available, Weldequip show them on their site, Machine Mart should be able to get one or I understand Clarke spares are pretty good. You should be able to get an o ring easy enough though, check out hydraulic suppliers.

Cheers, it's from a Chinese generic torch, and comparing with the Clarke one from Weldequip shows slight differences:



...so that, and the potential waiting time & cost, I think I'd be as well to try getting a few o-rings.

 

[a111r]

You'll find the o-rings on ebay easy enough. I bought a packet of 10, for Euro torch gas line from these folk:

Pardon our interruption...

 

[Cobbler]

I know it won’t help in this instance, but keep an eye on Lidl’s centre aisle. Sometimes assorted
o-rings in a case come up at about a fiver. I bought one last time I saw one ... & guess what, I haven’t needed an o-ring since!

 

[a111r]

^^ Worth getting one, even though none of the small sizes are right for torches.
One did fit a Hozelok OK, though.

 

[Myles1970]

So I managed to shear the bolt retaining the liner in my spare valve .....so I opened up the torch I'm using and removed a little piece of brass filing(?), Smeared the o-ring in liquid rubber and the leak has gone (for now at least)

 

[Myles1970]

Ah hear! Now it's leaking all over the place .... These Chinese brass valves must be made from swiss cheese. I've had enough now, I've decided to fork out. I've ordered a genuine one from Weldequip (I know! Rockefeller eh?)
..... project will have to wait until that arrives