Finally got that stubborn 737 APU bleed valve unseized after 3 hours yesterday

Had a 737 come in Wednesday with a stuck APU bleed valve that wouldn't budge after the usual PB Blaster and heat. Tried the old pry bar trick with a drift punch and still nothing, felt like I was gonna snap the bracket. Ended up soaking it in Kroil overnight and used a 4-foot cheater bar with steady pressure this morning, popped free with a loud crack. Felt good to get it done without having to cut the damn thing out. Anyone else run into these valves that feel like they're welded in place?

3 comments

3 Comments

emery_lopez18d ago

Did you try wiggling the valve body while applying pressure with the cheater bar? That crack sound is always sketchy but once you hear it you know you're golden. I had one on a 737 a few months back that was so bad we ended up drilling out the retaining pin because the bracket was starting to warp. Kroil really is the MVP for these jobs, especially when you can let it sit overnight like that. Nothing beats that feeling when you finally break it loose and don't have to call the parts guy for a replacement.

robin_roberts8418d ago

Did your buddy ever try heating the bracket before going at it with the Kroil? My friend Dave had a similar nightmare on a hydraulic pump rebuild last winter, said the crack was so loud he thought he snapped the whole valve body in half. He let it soak for two days with PB Blaster cause Kroil wasn't handy and still had to use a torch to get it to budge. Ended up saving the part but said his knuckles were bleeding for a week after.

hunt.quinn17d ago

Just heat it first, Kroil works way better on hot metal.