Valve gaskets for use in engines

Leader Gasket provides gasket solutions for many different types of valves.  Ball Valves, Gate Valves, Butterfly Valves, and more. We work to find the best gasket solution for the application. 

As specialized manufacturer of valve gaskets we often advise our customers on the inspection and replacement of the gaskets. No valve gasket should ever be used twice.  

Gasket inspection

In order to prevent damage, regular inspection is highly recommended. Inspection does not have to take up all of your time. We've created the following checklist in order to support you to efficiently inspect the valve gaskets.  

1. The valve stem and stuffing box wall should be smooth and free of pitting or scratching.
2. In addition, they should be free of excessive wear, scale and corrosion. (When you are unsure whether these conditions apply to you: just call your supervisor. ) 
3. The lip of the stuffing box should be smooth and square. Dress the edge if you find nicks or rough spots.
4. Allowable clearances per table on reverse side or your own company standards.
5. Clean and inspect gland, studs and nuts. If you deem it necessary, replace them.
6. On an accessible section of the valve stem, verify a smoothness of 32 RMS or less. This test is to confirm the overall condition of the valve stem.
7. Is the stem unacceptable? Remove and polish it if possible or replace it.
8. The wall of the stuffing box must also be inspected for acceptable condition. A finish of between 64-125 RMS or API 600 standard is suggested.
9. Measure the clearances between the stem and the stuffing box. Allowable clearances should be per table on the reserve side or your own company standards.

How to remove old valve packings? 

When the inspection has shown that the valve gaskets have faults, it is necessary to remove and replace them carefully. We will explain the removing process in 5 simple steps:

1. When possible you should back seat the valve. This will prevent damage to the stem area during the packing removal operation.
2. Remove the gland nuts. Clean and store in an appropriate container.
3. Raise the gland follower as far as possible away from the stuffing box. It may be necessary to tie the follower to keep it clear.
4. Remove the old packing using appropriate packing pullers. Before you start, be aware of the following: be extremely careful not to score the stem or the inside of the stuffing box with the sharp points of your instruments. 
5. Clean the stem and stuffing box thoroughly removing any chemical build-up.

Questions about installing or replacing valve gaskets? 

If you have any questions regarding the installation or replacement of valve gaskets, please feel free to contact one of our headquarters.