Lee 4-20 leaking?

[CSA 357]

My lee 4-20 melting pot is leaking, maybe i let trash get in the drop hole? How can this be fixed? Should i send it back to lee? As soon as the lead get good and hot it just runs out the bottom, thanks csa

 

[rcmodel]

You have a piece of slag or something stuck under the valve in the pot.

Heat it up and drain all the lead into an ingot mold, or muffin pan, or something.

After it cools off, take the valve apart and clean the muck & mung off of the valve & seat.

rc

 

[snuffy]

Sounds like you were smelting wheelweights or something with a lot of debris in it!?¿ Like RC said, you need to empty it and clean the valve and seat. Then only put clean lead in it from now on.

 

[rcmodel]

A lot of times you get a build-up of grey ash looking stuff on the walls of the pot and if some of it gets in the valve it will leak.

Clean the pot real good with a wire brush or something while you have it emptied.

rc

 

[CSA 357]

I try not to let it run empty, but the way it is leaking there was nothing to do, and i always flux it, thanks guys! Csa

 

[easyrider604]

My lee 4-20 melting pot is leaking, maybe i let trash get in the drop hole? How can this be fixed? Should i send it back to lee? As soon as the lead get good and hot it just runs out the bottom,

1. Straighten a wire paper clip. Stick it into the bottom spout while it is leaking. It should push out whatever it is that is preventing the valve from closing.

2. Try adjusting the screw on top of the valve. Turn it clockwise to allow the valve to seat deeper in the spout.

 

[RustyFN]

This is the 10# pot but the 20# works the same way. I put a screwdriver in the slot in the top of the stem and gave it a few turns, my leaks were gone. I have the 20# pot also but haven't used it yet.
Rusty

 

[zxcvbob]

Use a screwdriver to turn the valve stem (not the adjusting screw) to clear the valve seat. I had to do that last time I used mine after draining it to change alloys. Doesn't matter whether you turn it right or left. I usually give it a half-turn each way.

 

[snuffy]

The 10# and the 20# lee pots are very different. The 10# valve rod is at an angle to the spout. It is nortorious for dripping. If your's doesn't drip, you are indeed fortunate. I had one for years, it leaked constantly no matter what I did.

I now have the 20#, it seldom leaks. But when it does, it needs cleaning. Crud that should float to the surface of the melt, gets trapped by the heavy lead. Scraping with a spoon or something will help dislodge the crud, but it eventually works it's way down to the valve seat. The ONLY way to stop it is to drain it and clean down to the bare metal on the inside of the pot.

 

[Shweboner]

I have the same issue, my leak turned into a clog and now nothing comes out of the spout no matter what.

If I put a paper clip or something up through the spout should I see it from inside the pot?

I want to jam something in there, but if its not a straight hole I fear that I might damage the pot.

Any ideas?