So the stopcock outside my workshop was leaking at the spindle when I went to turn it off. Managed to get the rusted red handwheel off the valve, wringing the retaining nut, just as expected (WD40 sprayed on the night before didn't work). I used a scrap gatevalve when doing the original plumbing, rather than a proper stopcock that takes a key. I couldn't get the whole top body out of the valve, I think these are bonded, but got the spindle nut off and packed around the spindle with PTFE tape, which took forever because the tape had to be rolled on with one hand. (It was a foot down under the ground below one of those horseshoe-shaped covers, so could only get one hand into the chamber). Seems to be no leaks now. I'll keep the new handwheel indoors and just put it on if the water needs to be turned off. My question is, what's supposed to be used for sealing the spindle on these? Tape or O-rings or hemp? I took apart this other one and there was nothing.
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