Blue Flame fireplace valve leaking

[smilezrcool]

I am new to this forum, thanks for having me! I have a fireplace and would like to convert it to gas logs. The log lighter was a Blue Flame gas valve. The pipe in the attic was disconnected so I decided to pressure test it, with the valve closed, with 10 psi of air. The valve did not hold so I did a soap test on the valve with air in the line and I had bubbles around the stem. The stem does not have a nut so I cannot tighten the packing. My question is short of tearing all the brick out so I can replace this vavle does anyone know if the inside of this vavle can be repaired or if there is some form of retrofit that I can do. I was thinking if I drill our the inner valve with a hole saw maybe there is a kit I can use to replace the inner valve. The valve does have threads where the 1" pipe attaches to the outer cover that shows when the valve is off and on. Thanks any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[cowboyjosh]

I don't think you can retrofit a valve, based on what little plumbing knowledge I know.

Can you take a picture of this setup? A picture is worth a thousand words, they say. Im a builder and a electrician, so I'd call my plumber or pipe fitter for the $100 or less its going to cost, just to get his 2 cents; and he might be able to quickly fix the problem.

 

[HoosierBuddy]

It's sort of strange that you found the plumbing unhooked in the attic. Normally when someone eliminates a gas appliance, they just disconnect it at the appliance and install a plug in the line downstream of the shutoff valve. If you bought the house and it was already disconnected, I'd have to wonder why the previous owner did that and the most likely reason was because the line was leaking. Maybe the gas valve was the only culprit maybe not.

In any case...you have to replace the valve. There is no other choice. Then you'll have to retest. Make sure you check the allowable pressure on your new valve and stay below that with your air test.

Phil

 

[smilezrcool]

I was able to seperate the vavle without tearing into the wall. It is a wedge type brass valve and the propane place says they may still be able to replace some of the parts. Believe it or nor they said that usually the valves are filled with fireproof grease and the grease gets between the brass which is such a close tolerance that this prevents any leaks. There was not any grease left in the valve when I removed it. They said that 10psi of air may be to much pressure for this type of gas valve.

 

[Glen Rankin]

I too have a question also about the Blue Flame valve. We just purchased a home built in 1966 that has two of these fireplace valves. Unlike the original posting our valve works, goes on and off easily. When we were painting this weekend I removed the circular face plate to avoid getting paint on the plate. When I was putting the face plate back on, the circular one that threads onto the valve housing and allows the key to go thru to the valve, we found that the 1/4" square stem that comes out of the valve (the key fits over the top of this square stem) has a little play, the stem easily moves a small distance in almost any direction or in a tight circle from its center point. We are really hoping that this is the original design and not that the valve is getting old and is defective. Our hunch is that the stem's flexibility allows for the centering of the stem so that the key fits perfectly on the stem when placed thru the face plate hole. So my question is, does or did Blue Flame manufacture this valve to allow the stem to move in different directions to allow for easy and proper alignment of the stem thru the face plate or do we have a valve that is defective and needs replacement? If flexibility in this valve stem was not intended we probably have a worn out valve housing. If anyone has one of these older valves I would appreciate you checking your valve and determine if your valve is also adjustable or if these Blue Flame valves are typical gas valves where the valve stem remains in one position only and cannot be moved from side to side. Thank you for reading my long post and providing any feedback so we can feel safe in our new home..
Sincerely,
Glen Rankin, California