1960s Magic Chef Range - Burner Valve Leak

[davidatlas]

Hi Gang,

I've determined that the likely source of the faint gas smell wafting from my vintage Magic Chef stove is one (or two) of the burner valves. I understand that cleaning and re-greasing is often a DIY solution, however I can't find any resources illustrating the process for valves that look like these. My best guess is to use vice-grips or something to turn the part illustrated by the white arrow in this photo... Presumably I could unscrew that and then pull out the stem... If that's correct, the next challenge is that the top of the stove and control (front) panel is one piece so it doesn't lift and I'll have limited access...

Am I on the right track here?

 

[davidatlas]

Any Ideas?

Has anyone seen these types of valves before? Am I in the right direction?

Since I can't find any references for valves that look like this I'm afraid to go in blind and risk damaging the stove by clawing at it with a vice-grip. Happy to post more photos for reference.

 

[rp2813]

David

That definitely looks like a threaded fitting.  Maybe some penetrating oil or spray will help to loosen it up.  Usually it's just a matter of re-packing the valve assembly with the specified type of grease or whatever once you get it apart. 

 

I don't know what to tell you about the limited access.  Depending on the angle you have available, you might be able to use a basin wrench on it (see link).  There's currently an ad on SF Bay Area CL for various old stove parts.  Maybe the seller of those would have some information to share.  Otherwise, your best bet for advice might be to contact the remaining repair shops in L.A. that specialize in old stoves.  I think one of them is in the Burbank/Glendale/North Hollywood area.

 

[oliger]

My 60's era Magic Chef has the same type of valve. I have taken them apart before when the knobs were getting hard to turn. It does unscrew, but it is brass and easily marred. Be careful and put a cloth between PLIARS not vicegrips and unscrew it. It is easily bent out of shape, do not use vicegrips. It should come out with Threaded piece-Spring-washer-cone shape valve I believe in that order. Take paper towels or a rag and clean up the valve and make sure to clean out the holes and passages cut into it. I would also clean out the small holes with a toothpick or compressed air. There is some special grease for these valves, buy some and put it back together. Be careful not to strip the brass piece out.

 

[oliger]

Also if you could find a source for the gasket underneath those two screws, I would replace it. You may be able to cut your own. One adjustment you can make to your burner if you wanted a bigger maximum flame: The part that you can fit a wrench on right behind the valve adjusts the flame, I upped mine a little bit for faster boiling. If you change the setting, only do so a small bit.

Be careful and remember that no amount of gas leak is safe.