Service of ball valves

[Talbot]

I have ball valves on my hull inlets. My servicing has been to squirt a high quality grease at the ball and work the grease in when the boat is out of the water. This seems to work well, but wondered if anyone actually pulls their Ball valves apart to clean the bits out and grease properly?

The only time I got to the point of needing to do more than my annual squirt I was unable to dismantle my ball valve and just got a high quality bronze replacement, but they are not cheap!

On my above waterline ball valves, I regularly send vegetable oil through. I do not know if this is the best solution, but it has worked for me. As for rebuilding the valves, I have never tried. It also works for below the waterline outlets such as head as long as you can pump it through.

[Richhh]

Most ball valves nowadays are teflon seated hence need no lubrication.
If you accumulate a lot of bio-growth or roughness on the ball you will tear/abrade the PTFE seat ... so you 'ought' to get in there and inspect/clean once in a while. The balls themselves once they become rough - its time for a new valve. The PTFE seats are replaceable but still need a perfectly spherical ball to operate well - dont even think about 'sanding' or coarse polishing a ball.

At least with the old fashioned tapered plug valves you can 'lap' them (by hand) back into good working order with automotive valve grinding compound. Pay me now or pay me later.