This thing under my sight glass is dripping water

Ben_Nash

I tried tighten the silver handle but it's still leaking water. Seems to get worse.
Any idea how to fix this or a replacement product to seal it off for good?

ethicalpaul

Don't seal it off for good, but replace it with a brass 1/4" npt street elbow then short nipple, then ball valve. Use the valve to periodically flush the bottom gauge glass valve

https://www.supplyhouse.com/Bluefin-BRS45E025-1-4-Brass-45-Street-Elbow-Lead-Free

https://www.supplyhouse.com/Bluefin-BRN025-150-1-4-x-1-1-2-Brass-Nipple

https://www.supplyhouse.com/Bluefin-BVT025-1-4-Full-Port-Threaded-Ball-Valve-Lead-Free

CLamb

It may be that the seat just needs to be cleaned. Close the valves at the top and bottom of the sight glass. Then open the leaking valve and catch the water in something. When the water is gone unscrew it all the way and clean the end. Also clean the seat inside the fitting. A Q-tip or something similar would work for this. If it is too corroded you have to replace it. A dab of pipe dope on the end would likely provide a temporary fix.

ethicalpaul

Sorry @CLamb but that drain valve is pure junk.

ChrisJ

ethicalpaul said:

Sorry @CLamb but that drain valve is pure junk.

It's not great but they have been used on cars for decades.  Perhaps over 100 years...

If it was mine and I just wanted it to get by I'd try opening and closing it a bunch of times.

That said.... Paul's suggestion is probably better in the long run.

mattmia2

Some silicone grease on the threads can help a lot