Jammed water filler cap

[jac]

I have two fresh water tanks, each with a separate filler. The one we use all the time is fine. This weekend, when trying to open the fore tank so that I could sterilise it, I was unable to get it to shift, despite my slight 14 stone at the working end of a winch handle.

Bit reluctant to apply too much force and being on a teak deck I'm wary about too many staining chemicals.

Thinking about using some penetrating oil, leaving for a while then trying again but aware that this is a fresh water filler so looking to minimise the oil ingested!

Filler is the bog standard amiot filler as fitted to Beneteau boats.

Anyone unstuck one recently?

 

[DennisF]

Yes, I had a similar problem with the water filler cap on a boat I took over earlier in the year. It came off nicely using a Boa Constrictor strap wrench (Several available cheaply on eBay). Obviously, that only works if it is not a flush fitting cap.

 

[VicS]

Yes, I had a similar problem with the water filler cap on a boat I took over earlier in the year. It came off nicely using a Boa Constrictor strap wrench (Several available cheaply on eBay).

You cannot undo a flush deck filler with any kind of strap wrench.

Boiling water, try to heat the flange.

Hit gently with a hammer and a block of wood

Keep trying....

>

>

>

>

Give up, buy a new one

Open the new one more frequently

 

[halb]

Try taping the top with a solid handled slot screwdriver and hammer the opposite way, then try to open it this will usually break the gunge which is causing the problem. I had the same problem with the access to my emergency steering post, it took a while but worked in the end. I have rubbed a little amount of grease on the thread on all my deck fillers etc all now undo easily now.

 

[onesea]

You cannot undo a flush deck filler with any kind of strap wrench.

Boiling water, try to heat the flange.

Hit gently with a hammer and a block of wood

Keep trying....

>

>

>

>

Give up, buy a new one

Open the new one more frequently

Tried all that could not unscrew fitting from deck...

So just disconected pipe below beck and filled it from there

 

[Border Terrier]

Before forking out beacoups de francs, I tried various methods to releasing my gas oil filler cap. Some subtle, some not so.

The final solution would been to remove the complete filler unit and replace it. This may be your quickest if not cheapest method. At least it will reduce your adrenalin levels and give you more time to enjoy our all too short summer.

My solution? Fox's sourced a star shaped filler key from France. Excellent service!

I hope this post is helpful.

 

[smithy]

If you can make something up that will fit the top then use an impact wrench on it. These will quite often shock away seized bolts even when high torque has failed, although can't say I've ever tried using it on anything other than cars.

 

[jac]

Thanks all for suggestions so far.

Couple of points, this is basically flush fitting into the deck so no way to get anything like a strapwrench onto it. Usual key won't have the leverage as if I can't turn it with a standard winch handle which has the same star fitting then can't believe a short key will do so.

Boiling water maybe a possibility on the flange but do have a concern that I will end up having to replace the whole fitting.

 

[stav]

Tap the filler cap with a small, just gentle to help vibrate the part free. Do that for 10 minutes. Should be gentle enough to not leave any marks. Then have someone '
undoing' the cap whilst still tapping. Add boiling water as well in to mix?

Good luck.

 

[Border Terrier]

Another approach might be to cover the surface of the filler cap with ice.
The intention being to shrink the filler parts enough to release the plug.

As previously said
Good luck

 

[cliff]

Do not blame me if you get "burnt" but I have freed off similar fittings before using plasticine, dry ice, acetone and boiling water. Proceed as follows; build a dam of plasticine around the cap keeping the inner edge of the dam approximately 3/8" in from the edge of the cap make the dam 3/4" ~1" high. Build another dam around the female part of the filler, again 3/4"~1" high. Looking straight down you should have an outer dam surrounding the whole fitting, a space, the inner dam and finally teh middle section of the screw in cap. Now the fun begins - pour some acetone into the inner dam, ½"~¾" deep and add some dry ice - as much as you can get in and keep adding it until bubbling stops and you have a "mush" in the inner dam - fit the key needed to slacken the cap without damaging the dams. Now pour boiling water in between the two dams, wait a few seconds then remove the cap. The dry ice and acetone should shrink the cap while the boiling water should help expand the deck fitting or one could use http://www.toolstation.com/shop/Plumbing/Consumables/Freezer+Spray+500ml/d20/sd2711/p98573 in place of the dry ice and acetone but fill the inner dam with dense cotton to retain the freezing solution. (smaller freezing sprays are available)