Stuck, Leaking, and Clogged Trumpet Valves and How To Fix Them

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Category: Playing an Instrument

As a long time band director I have seen many strange things happen to instruments owned by my students. Despite repeated instruction on how to care for and maintain the instrument it seems that at least weekly someone would come to me with a trumpet that had a problem. This article lists the most common problems that beginning trumpet players will face and how to solve them.

As a long time band director I have seen many strange things happen to instruments owned by my students. Despite repeated instruction on how to care for and maintain the instrument it seems that at least weekly someone would come to me with a trumpet that had a problem. This article lists the most common problems that beginning trumpet players will face and how to solve them.

Something is clogging up my trumpet!

Most of the time this problem is really a result of not having the valves seated correctly in the casings. If a student removes all of the valves to clean or lubricate them he or she will often put them back in incorrectly. If you cannot get any air through the horn at all then it is a good bet that at least the first valve is seated wrong. Unscrew the top cap, pull the valve out, and make sure that the number 1 is stamped on the valve. If it says 2 or 3 then the valve is in the wrong casing. If you have the correct valves in the correct casings then check to make sure that the valve guide is locking into the slot inside the casing. If the valve is locked into the slot correctly then the valve will not be able to spin. Try spinning the valve around inside the casing until you feel it lock into place.

My valve is stuck!

Most stuck valves are caused by one of three issues. First, the valve my simply be dirty and the built up gunk may be slowing the valve's action or stopping it completely. Second, one or more of the valve slides attached to the stuck valve may be bent in slightly causing the valve to bind up when it gets down to that part of the valve casing. Lastly, any dent in the outer valve casing will make the valve get stuck. Even the slightest dent (such as one caused by hitting a music stand) can make the valve stop working.

One other thing that can cause stuck valves is if the button's stem is bent to one side. As the button is pressed a bent stem will rub against the side of the hole it is traveling through. There should always be the same space around the valve stem no matter how low the button is pressed. In most cases gentle pressure can bend a bent valve stem back into place.

My spit valve is leaking!

This is an easy repair, but most people do not have the proper size cork or adhesive to fix it at home. For best results take the trumpet in to the repair shop and ask them to replace the spit valve cork. This is usually a very cheap and quick repair.

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Comments  

 

+6 #1 Dan 2008-08-05 14:26

I highly recommend your students (and you), try Magic-Valve piston valve cleaner, it works on any piston valve instrument. Its an incredible mild abrasive that removes that almost impossible, shellac like hardened oil and bacteria, off the pistons, and casing walls, with out any abrasive damage. It's easy consumer friendly to use, and has no chemicals. It leaves pistons cleaner and smoother working then a SONIC CLEANING. The bottom line is that it restores any piston valve action back to its new condition, leaving it silky smooth, no matter how rusted or hopeless the piston valve looks. As long as the casing or piston is not damaged like a DENT, Magic Valve will do its thing. Its now sold at WWBW.com and they have a Magic Slide cleaning kit for trombones that's incredible.

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+5 #2 Maria 2008-09-20 02:35

I have aquestion. While cleaning his trumpet my son's cleaning rod (brush) broke and is now stuck in the bell of the trumpet. How do I get it out? Please Help me!!!!!!

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-10 #3 Sebastien 2008-11-22 07:24

my piston work on my trumpet but my valves are stuck i can't removed the valve it self it is seized would u know how to fix that proplem i would like to tune in my trumpet but i can't let me know if u know how to fix that isue thanks

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+1 #4 my trumpet clogss to much ! he 2009-06-03 10:30

plz hellp me my trumpet cloggs to mouch

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-2 #5 Josh 2009-06-12 06:16

i have a question, my trumpet is REALLY REALLY old, and i cannot see the number on the valve, where would it normally be??

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-2 #6 lauren d 2009-07-25 00:45

my trumpet is clogged up and i read through what you said 2 do but it doesnt work i dont know what to do or how 2 do it? i'm a pupil at school and i havent been going 4 and when i started playing it i relized i needed valve oil so i put it n my keys but when i went to play it after that it didnt work [ ive been in this situation be4 but i fixed it, but now i cant] i havent got a clue what 2 do. could you please tell me how to fix my trumpet plaese xxx

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0 #7 lauren d 2009-07-25 00:47

it should be at the top bit of the valve where the spring is and its quite hard 2 see but its engraved in there somewhere xxx

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0 #8 Kevin McFarland 2009-07-27 09:51

I have found out that if your valve is getting stuck and still not working after using the previous instructions, you can find out if it the problem is a small dent with some ice water and a heating pad. With the heating pad, leave it on top of the trumpet valve slot in question, and leave the valve itself in ice cold water, this should make the slot expand, and the valve contract making it easier to fit in the slot and should be enough to diagnose whether or not it is a dent in the slot.

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0 #9 zel 2009-08-25 04:27

I've been having 3rd valve problems. I would wash my trumpet like all articles say, but the valve just won't come out of the trumpet. I can't press it either. The first and second are fine.

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0 #10 Chad Criswell 2009-08-25 13:45

Zel,

If the valve still won't come out take a really close look at the outside of the valve casing under a bright light. If you see even the smallest dent you have probably found the problem. Otherwise try taking the bottom valve cap off and using a drumstick or something solid to gently push the piston back up. It could be that it is rusted and needs a little extra persuasion. Be careful not to bend anything in the process though.

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-1 #11 Dan 2009-10-04 07:51

2 of my slides do not move at all. One is the tiny one on the second valve and the other is the one next to the tuning slide that has a loop to hole my lyre. How do I get them moving again so that I can clean the trumpet properly? The slides are totally closed with just a hairline gap between the slides and the places they fit in to. Can you help?

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0 #12 corey frederick 2009-11-18 04:50

if your trumpet clogs alot you should try cleaning it out im not sure when you posted your problem but im just tryin to help also playing right after you eat is not a good idea because food particles can build up in your trumpet and can cause alot of problems like for example sticky valves and the sugars from the food particles can actually break down the inside of your trumpet. you should clean out your trumpet about once a year do stop build up i hope this helps good luck

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0 #13 alex 2009-12-06 15:26

my valve has came out and wont go back i need advice but i dont want to pay anything or got to a repare shop

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-1 #14 Margaret Jackson-Roberts 2009-12-30 09:43

I have an old trumpet, not played for a while. All 3 valves are working ok but the tuning slider is stuck fast. Have tried a little WD 40 on it but no joy so far. Can you advise what else to try? Thanks.

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+1 #15 Jay Blair 2010-01-02 10:39

I have a trumpet with a valve that will not return to the up position. I removed the valve and found a blastic piece that slides up and down withe the spring setting in a cup on the plastic pieced. The plastic guide is broken off and jamms in the valve guide preventing the valve from returning up.
Where can I buy parts? Hopefully metal.

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