How to open a water tank

[TheBomber]

I was investigating some whiffy water coming out the taps on board (almost certainly pipe related) and attempted to open the water tank - and found I couldn't. Is there a technique, a tool or do I need to just eat more spinach to unscrew the cover on my tank?

 

[Poignard]

I was investigating some whiffy water coming out the taps on board (almost certainly pipe related) and attempted to open the water tank - and found I couldn't. Is there a technique, a tool or do I need to just eat more spinach to unscrew the cover on my tank?View attachment 141471

Difficult to advise without knowing what type of cover it is. Have you a picture of it?

 

[TheBomber]

Hmm - I did attach a photo. I take you can't see it? I've tried again in this post.

 

[tillergirl]

A stilson will do it. Will chew the edges of course.

Why open it. Get some Milton and high dosage it filling the milton into the pipes. Leave and then rinse, rinse, rinse, rinse. Then buy a filter. Nature Pure are good but not cheap - but well worth it.

 

[RobWard]

I had a similar problem but created my own 'tool' - that's a bit of a pretentious name for a stick about 30cm long with a couple of blcoks of wood to fit between the lugs. Works though.

 

[Poignard]

A length of (25x50mm) with two suitable woodscrews in it, spaced to fit between the lugs of the cap, would probably do it without mauling it.

(Beaten to it by RobWard! )

 

[Graham_Wright]

Hot water will expand the lid and loosen it.

 

[johnalison]

It would be easy to make a tool to open it, maybe from wood. It just needs a flat surface and two or four lugs and a small handle.

 

[bedouin]

A gentle tap with a hammer on one of the lugs (probably with a block of wood in between) might be all it needs to unstick it.

 

[TheBomber]

Thanks all for the suggestions. I'll try tapping it with a block of wood and if that's no good then then the wood can become part of a bespoke spanner in true PBO style.

Why open it. Get some Milton and high dosage it filling the milton into the pipes. Leave and then rinse, rinse, rinse, rinse.

Fair comment, but I'd like to have a look in there to ensure all is well. After all, the full name for the troublesome part is probably 'inspection hatch'.

 

[Clancy Moped]

I had to do the same, I used a rubber mallet with some softwood behind each lug a genital gentle tap all the way round loosened it up, the pipe above looks very clean.

 

[bedouin]

g a genital tap all the way round loosened it up,

Ouch!

 

[tillergirl]

Thanks all for the suggestions. I'll try tapping it with a block of wood and if that's no good then then the wood can become part of a bespoke spanner in true PBO style.


Fair comment, but I'd like to have a look in there to ensure all is well. After all, the full name for the troublesome part is probably 'inspection hatch'.

Fair enough.

 

[shortjohnsilver]

I have a similar tank inspection lid on my holding tank and yup I’ve got to have a look in there! ??

 

[vyv_cox]

Opening the tank and scrubbing it with a stiff brush (a NEW toilet brush is great for the job) every few years makes a big difference to taste. Replacing the hose is also worthwhile.

 

[dankilb]

Rubber mallet is a genuinely useful boat tool. Lots of expensive and/or delicate stuff you can whack with it. The modern type (with a hard and soft face) can even substitute for your actual lump hammer for things like punching holes to drill.

 

[Stemar]

Rubber mallet is a genuinely useful boat tool. Lots of expensive and/or delicate stuff you can whack with it.

Also useful for checking through-hulls for dezincification. Pro tip: Don't do this while afloat. Even between tides is a bit brave...