Yes, you can replace the saddle valve. Sounds like you need someone more
experienced to work with you.

A couple of hints: Find the puncture hole, and drill about 1/8 or slightly
larger drill hole at that point.

Close the valve so the pointy thing sticks into the tube, and then gently
install. Wiggle the valve around so the pointy thing is in the center of the
drilled hole.

Expect to have to tighten the nut around the valve shaft after you've got it
all through.

There's a few other hints, but you'll have to learn them the hard way like
everyone else. This is your mission. Do not fail.

--

Christopher A. Young
You can't shout down a troll.
You have to starve them.
..

"phaeton" wrote in message
oups.com...
Have a saddle valve on some copper pipe that was put there (by prev.
home owner) to provide water to the refrigerator's icemaker. We have a
different fridge with a different size hookup, so I bought a copper
tubing kit to replace the existing plastic line and fittings. The
saddle valve that's in there now leaks (out the tube, not onto the
ground). You turn it off all the way and it still dribbles a bit. Not
a lot- it takes probably 24hrs to nearly fill up a 12oz water bottle
it's in right now. Of course, once I connect it to the fridge the
valve will be open and the icemaker itself will valve the line
open/closed. Problem not solved, but avoided.

The kit that I bought has a new saddle valve in it. Are saddle valves
the type of things where you have one shot at? i.e., if i pull the
saddle valve off the copper pipe, is that section of pipe now ruined
and it will be impossible to get anything to seal up to it now,
including a saddle valve, *even* if it's identical in all sizes and
dimensions?

I'm torn as to whether i should fix it now or leave it until it's
really necessary to fool with it.

TIA!