Hello all.

I was attempting to repair a snorkel I picked up on E-bay, when I came across a strange white ring where the old o-ring ought to be. It doesn't appear to be an o-ring. It looks a little like some kind of caulk. More importantly, it doesn't seem to want to come out, and it is thick enough so a replacement o-ring can't go in.

Does anybody know what this is? Was there some type of unorthadox cult of snorkel repairers who advocated the use of strange white stuff instead of o-rings? And does anyone have any idea how to get rid of this stuff? Is there something I could soak it in that wouldn't harm the barrel. Or should I just give up on this barell and take one from a parts snork?

Any suggestions would be helpful. Thanks.

The original Snorkel O rings were white. It looks like the original O ring wore out and someone splattered some sort of sealant instead of replacing it.
Pick the old O ring out with dental picks and remove the sludge. Try using water and, if not sufficient denatured alcohol (best is ethyl). Easy on the alcohol, as prolonged contact may eventually affect the surface of the plastic. Good luck!

Giovani has got great advice. Yup, its the old O-ring. The front face has worn down so it isn't round anymore and looks like "caulk". Dental pick or some kind of sharp pick should get it out. It may come out in pieces. I usually have to push the pick into the material a bit and then pry it out. Try not to damage the inside of the channel.

Hmmm. If it is the old o-ring, I can't get it out. I've tried with the usual picks I have and I can't get anything to stab into in or get under it. Maybe I need something sharper? Or will soaking in water or alchohal loosen it up any? Any other suggestions?

If the rubber has hardened, you will have to break it up and chip it off. Go slowly and use a very high quality pick, of hardened steel and very sharp. Make sure you do nor scratch or otherwise damage the barrel. You can also try to soften the ring and the gunk with a heat gun. Good luck!

I do a lot of Snorkels and Touchdowns, so here's what I'd recommend:

Be very careful with what kind of pick you use, as it is very easy to put a hole or dimple in the barrel wall. Better than a pointed tool is one with a blade that can be used to pry under the old ring -- a small jeweler's screwdriver is ideal.

I would advise against heat or alcohol. Overnight soaking in water will do a good enough job of softening old, deteriorated rubber. Be sure that the spring is out of the barrel, though!

With experience, soaking isn't necessary. But if you're not in a rush and haven't done a bunch of these before, it will give you a much greater margin of error to work with.

Dave,
I agree with you, but in this case someone splattered some sort of gunk into the pen, when the O ring failed (I guess they did not have a replacement O ring and were looking for some sort of fix. I believe the gunk is visible in the picture. It is in order to remove this gunk that I suggested some sort of benign solvent may be required.
I just thought I'd clarify the reason behind my suggestion.
See you in Philly?
Giovanni

Fair enough, but we don't know what the goo might be. It is to be hoped that it could simply be chipped or scraped off. A good illustration, in any event, of the lurking perils that sometimes await in pens bought as-is.

No Philly for me this year -- family plans preclude it.

Much thanks to Dave, Giovanni and Kendall. I did get it out, and I think it was just an o-ring. Once I chipped enough, it came out in two or three solid pieces like an o-ring. I did soak it a little in alcohol, about 15 minutes. I'm not sure if that's what did it, or just the knowledge that it might really be an o-ring and not some kind of sealant gunk.

I do think I have to invest in a sharper set of picks though.

Once again, thanks to all who responded.

Michael