17
www.XSscuba.com
XS Scuba Valves Service Manual
9. There is no need to remove the diptube(4).
Unless it is damaged, it can remain in place.
This completes the XS Scuba Valve Disassembly.
Cleaning and Inspection Procedures
All reusable parts, metallic and soft, should be cleaned
in a warm (not over 120°F / 50°C) dish soap and water
solution. Use a soft, nylon bristle brush to remove any
stubborn deposits. The dish soap helps to remove grease
and old lubricant.
Plastic and Rubber Parts
After cleaning, rinse in fresh water. If your local tap water
is hard, consider using distilled water. Dry with hyper-
filtered compressed air.
Metallic Parts
CAUTION: Be sure to use hand and eye
protection when handling chemical cleaning
solutions.
While dish soap is an excellent degreaser, it may not
remove corrosion and mineral build up on metallic parts.
That is where acid is effective. Metal parts may be
immersed in a sonic cleaner with a diluted acetic acid
(vinegar) and water solution (50:50).
If you really want your metal parts to sparkle, consider
using a diluted solution of Oakite 31 in your sonic cleaner.
Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for
dilution.
After cleaning, rinse in fresh water. If your local tap water
is hard, consider using distilled water. Dry with hyper-
filtered compressed air.
CAUTION: Never place soft parts e.g.
rubber, plastic, urethanes, silicones into any
acidic solutions. Doing so may alter their physical
properties, causing them to break, degrade
prematurely or no longer fit.
NOTE: Many technicians find that a solution
of diluted dish soap and diluted vinegar in their
sonic cleaner is all they need to clean the metal
parts. It is inexpensive and effective.
Preparing and Inspecting Parts
Nitrox Preparation
If you are preparing the valve to place back into nitrox
service (O2 not to exceed 40%), you should use
powderless latex or nitrile gloves to keep finger oils off of
the clean parts.
O-rings: All O-rings should be replaced at every
servicing. New O-rings should be inspected for
contamination and/or imperfections, and lightly dressed
with a thin film of approved lubricant prior to installation.
See Recommended Cleaner and Lubricant Table below.
CAUTION: Do not use any petroleum based
lubricants or products, or any aerosol silicone
sprays on any part of the valve.
Crown Orifice: The crown orifice is machined into the
valve body. It mates up against the seat assembly(5).
The critically machined sealing edge of the crown orifice
is important to reducing sealing force. The sealing edge
must be free from nicks or scratches and square with the
centerline of the orifice. Any imperfection can allow small
amounts of air to leak between the crown orifice and the
seat assembly, and require an excessive amount of hand
torque on the handwheel to make an airtight seal. The
sealing edge of the crown orifice should be inspected
under magnification whenever possible.
Stem(7): The stem will normally get reused. Roll it on a
hard surface and confirm that it is true. If it is bent, it must
get replaced.
Bonnet(10): Inspect the hex head and the threads on the
bonnet. If all are good, the bonnet may be reused.
Seat(5): The HP Seat, a mandatory replacement part,
VP05, is used in all XS Scuba Valve models.
