Zodiac g470 need help with leak behind main valve

[mdragon]

I've got a g470 with minimal use that I've had nothing with problems with. i bought it new about 4 years ago, keep it covered, and take care of it.

I'm starting to have some of the glue on the transom give way, and now I've discovered a decent size leak around one of the main inflation ports on the aft port side. It is audible, and appears to bubble up behind the valve cover.

Does anyone here have an idea if this is a common problem, or user serviceable. I took the easily disassembled part out and didn't see any seals. There is a stainless collar with two hole 180 degrees apart that I haven't messed with yet, as it looks more involved.

Being i have no repair manual, figured I'd ask and post a pic.

Customer support in North America for Zodiac boats is essentially non existent.

[mdragon]

Pic of leak

[cgoing]

There is a special tool for tightening those valves which should seal the leak . Generally that is done as part of the valve service that is suggested be done every 6 months or when it becomes difficult to turn the valves per the owners manual.

Send me a PM with your email address and I can send you digital copy of the owner's manual if you need it.

Cheers,
Chris

[weimed]

I have a zodiac zoom 350 and after 1 year of salt water use, transom started to unglue from tubes. I peeled it back as much as i could, cleaned old glue and use stabond to glue it back. Looks a little ugly with glue sticking out but man it holds like a champ!!

My boat second from left

[office888]

Originally Posted by mdragon

Pic of leak

Hi Mdragon!

I am unfamiliar with this boat. Does it have the IC valve system in it?

If so, to repair the boat, you need some special tools.

You need the valve cup nut tool (although a regular socket works...however, it will NOT properly set the nut height in the cup, which will ruin its' OPV capabilities).

You need a pin spanner wrench.

You MIGHT need the IC valve cup pulling tool if the valve has not been serviced regularly.

Step process:
1.) Remove the valve cap + base
2.) Remove the IC valve cup by removing the retaining nut & spring.
3.) Remove the flywheel by removing the retaining clip with a pick, then pull the flywheel off.
4.) (ALERT, BE SURE TO CATCH THE VALVE BEFORE IT FALLS IN!) Utilize the pin spanner around the valve outer base to unscrew it.

There is a neoprene gasket inside the boat. This MAY be the source of your leak...replace it.

With that being said, you may be able to solve the leak simply by LIGHTLY tightening the valve outer base 1/16th of a turn or so.

It is recommended you remove and grease the IC valve cup assembly annually to ensure proper ease of operation and to prevent corrosion.

If you are uncomfortable doing this yourself or lack the proper tooling to do the job without causing damage, please contact your nearest Zodiac Milpro dealer.

If you have any other questions, please feel free to PM me.

[mdragon]

Thanks guys. Cgoing and office888 your replies were particularly helpful. I need to order the valve seater socket and the pin spanner wrench. Do either of you know where to get these?
I'm planning on taking this thing on an adventure involving a 100 mile plus ocean crossing! but that ain't happening in the current leaking state it is in.

[mdragon]

Fabricated a pin spanner wrench to fit from an old motorcycle spanner wrench I had laying around in about 5 minutes with my grinder. Tightened just a little bit, and no leak! Thanks for all the help guys.

Now I just have to find a source for parts. I priced out one of the plastic over pressure relief valve caps for the boat, and one place wanted 50 bucks! It is not much more complicated than a cap you would find on a soda bottle! Talk about price gouging.

[captnjack]

Originally Posted by mdragon

Now I just have to find a source for parts. I priced out one of the plastic over pressure relief valve caps for the boat, and one place wanted 50 bucks! It is not much more complicated than a cap you would find on a soda bottle! Talk about price gouging.

1) its a boat
2) its a "zodiac"

Me thinks you should start getting used to the price to value differential

[office888]

Originally Posted by captnjack

1) its a boat
2) its a "zodiac"

Me thinks you should start getting used to the price to value differential

3.) it's a gov't/commercial boat, not designed for civilian use.

I love the military bits though.

Primarily, I LOVE my rapid fill setup! An AL63 is all I need for many weeks of topoffs.

[yiannis50]

I am trying to adjust the height of the nut on a IC valve ,i am looking for the special torque wrench any help will be appreciated