Repairing 3 way valve

I don't think grease will work. I imagine the problem is something like limescale or magnetite taking up all the clearance around the spindle on the "water" side.

We won't really know unless I get the thing apart, which looks unlikely. I read elsewhere that the problem was a rubber O ring failing, resulting in water getting to the shaft & causing corrosion. But if it's not dismantlable do they in fact know that. Either way the thing moves ok now, I just need to grease it to (I hope) keep the water away from it for a fair while. Obviously disassemble & new O ring would be a lot better.

I already bought a replacement, but it was faulty & is going back, so I thought I'd see if it's fixable.

NT

This rust problem in a bearing is much like you get on older washing machine drum bearings, and often its cheaper to replace the lot. If you think its limescale and its a kill or cure time then try squirting some of the stuff you descale things with up its bum, so to speak. Sometimes works for taps.

I'd have no idea how it comes apart, but surely it must have been put together and unless its some kind of made in situe system there has to be a way. Brian

Assuming the replacement won't take long, for a temporary fix I would be soaking the whole lot in penetrating oil to get the friction down, and not worrying about a bit of leakage. Grease is not going to prevent that anyway, with two bar behind it.

It may well have been assembled axially, and the top then swaged over to hold it together.

Correction, a bit less than one bar if it's two storeys.

I've got it moving well enough, so no need for whatsit oil. The grease should remain coating the metal better than oil under that pressure I'd think. I've got some red rubber grease but ran out of tuits, so will try impregnation tomorrow hopefully.

NT