Valve snorkel broken inside valve. Remove it or not?

[Compressor]

Long story short: I was asked how to remove a valve snorkel (the metal thing that goes inside the valve) that sheared off inside a tank valve. I looked at the broken snorkel; its in one piece with no bend in it so I think its broken clean inside the valve. Any easy way to remove the left over piece in the valve?

Since its broken clean, I don't think it will effect valve function.

Thanks.

 

[runsongas]

I removed a pair using needle nose pliers when I received a manifold with the dip tubes sheared off

 

[dumpsterDiver]

Black & Decker Screw Extractor Set, 5pc - Walmart.com

 

[boulderjohn]

I know people who routinely leave dip tubes off of valves because they come off so easily, and you are left with an annoying rattle in your tank.

On the other hand, there is a reason the dip tube is designed to be there.

A friend of mine was diving in Cozumel, and they entered a swim through with a downward-sloping angle. The diver behind him signaled frantically that he was out of air. They shared air and aborted the dive. On shore, they removed the valve and saw that the tank had a fair amount of water in it, and the valve had no dip tube. Once the diver had gone head down, the water had covered the inlet for the valve, and that was that.

 

[Compressor]

Thanks for the replies. Problem solved. I joggled it a bit with a screw extractor then carefully turned it outward.

 

[boulderjohn]

When you put a new one in....

Check to see if the inside is a hex design. You can use an Allen wrench on it.

If not, you can gently squeeze it with vice grips with a cloth in to protect it. You will need to get it tight enough to stay in but not tighten it enough to break it, like the one you just extracted.

It's delicate. I think that may be why new valves come with the dip tube off--if someone is going to blow it screwing it in, they want it to be the customer.

 

[Compressor]

The culprit after surgery.