Leaking Goodall valve

[Northsider]

I have just completed an enjoyable two hour running session with a live steam loco, but noticed that the Goodall valve was letting by -there were bubbles appearing in the filler hole. Given that it only has two parts -turned brass, and silicone tubing- do I need to replace the latter? Or don't they provide a completely gas-tight seal?

 

[bobg]

Usually a good powerful blow-through with the refill bottle will settle them down. Possibly just a bit of dirt trapped in it. If the silicon tube looks in poor condition then by all means replace it, or the whole valve. I usually carry a spare JIC.

 

[Northsider]

Thanks for the advice. I gave it a couple of blow throughs, but there was no improvement. I'll have a look at getting a new piece of silicon tube -and getting a spare valve sounds like a wise move, too.

 

[Northsider]

On close inspection the silicone tube had a nick in it. A trip to the local r/c shop turned up an offcut of tube -10mm OD- which had the correct internal diameter. A late afternoon steam-up showed that it has more resistance to the top-up bottle, but doesn't blow back. Job done: I hope.

 

[bobg]

Glad to hear it.