What You Need to Know: Maintenance of Solenoid Valves
Why Solenoid Valve Maintenance Matters
Solenoid valves regulate the flow of fluids or gases in critical systems. Despite their small size, they play a major role in operational stability. Ignoring them during routine service can lead to leaks, inefficiencies, or complete system failure. Like any mechanical device, solenoid valves benefit from routine upkeep to ensure consistent operation and extended service life.
Basic Maintenance Procedures
The upkeep of a solenoid valve involves inspecting, cleaning, and replacing worn components. Preventive care helps avoid failures, reduces downtime, and improves system performance.
To inspect a valve safely, disconnect it from power and depressurize the fluid or gas lines. Disassemble key components, such as the coil, plunger, spring, and housing, and check for debris, rust, or damage. Pay attention to seals, gaskets, and diaphragms, as these parts are often the first to wear. Gould offers complete repair kits including O-rings, plungers, pistons, and other parts to restore functionality.
Step-by-Step Maintenance Approach
- Shut off power and relieve system pressure.
- Examine the coil for cracks, overheating, or insulation damage.
- Check electrical connectors for corrosion or loose fit.
- Inspect the plunger, spring, and sleeve for wear or buildup.
- Evaluate O-rings, seals, and diaphragms for cracks, stretching, or distortion.
- Clean internal components to remove sludge, mineral deposits, or debris.
- Reassemble per manufacturer instructions and test for leaks and response.
Regular cleaning also helps prevent mineral accumulation in water applications or lubrication loss in air systems, both of which can shorten valve life.
Does Maintenance Make a Difference?
Routine maintenance significantly reduces failures and lowers costs. For example:
- In dry-air or rapid-cycle applications, added lubrication can extend the life of valves by thousands of cycles.
- Regular cleaning prevents mineral buildup that degrades seals and shortens valve life.
- Filtration in viscous or particle-heavy media protects narrow orifices and moving parts from contamination.
Repair vs. Replace
When deciding between repair and replacement, consider both the valve type and the overall system design. Simple valves are often more economical to replace, while complex or custom valves may justify repair using rebuild kits. In many cases, routine maintenance only requires replacing rubber seals or springs. However, if seating surfaces, cores, or housings are damaged, replacement may be the better option.
If valve removal is difficult due to pipe connections or placement, rebuilding in place is often best. Gould’s rebuild kits allow operators to replace internals without removing the body, minimizing downtime.
Inspection Frequency
The best time to inspect valves is during scheduled equipment servicing. A proactive schedule should include functional tests every four weeks, with more frequent checks in high-use systems. Symptoms such as noise, reduced flow, or leakage are clear indicators of maintenance needs.
Common Issues and Failure Prevention
Even with regular upkeep, problems can arise:
- Valve fails to actuate despite voltage applied
- External or internal leakage
- Chattering or unusual noise when energized
- Slow or restricted movement
- Reduced flow capacity
These issues are often caused by overpressure, contamination, or worn seals. Keeping media within design limits, ensuring proper filtration, and adhering to rated pressure and temperature ranges will minimize failures.
The Importance of Solenoid Valve Maintenance
Solenoid valves may be small, but their role in maintaining system efficiency and safety is significant. Regular inspections, proactive part replacement, and contamination control extend their lifespan and prevent costly downtime. Gould provides OEM-quality repair kits and replacement valves to keep your systems running with confidence. Have questions? Contact our team!
