Lid on raw water separator is stuck.

Monique

Monique

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My Volvo raw water separator lid is stuck. We changed it 2 months ago as it was cracked and coated the threads liberally with Blue marine grease before installation. Installed only hand tight.

Now, we cannot remove it for love nor money. Can we use a heat gun? (Carefully) or do we need a "tennis racket" type tool to remove it? Does anyone know where we could source such a tool? (21 CM diameter)

We live aboard and must check the strainer for barnies and other critters before they block our reverse cycle heater unit.

Help appreciated. TA :-)
 
BlowingOldBoots said:
A strap wrench might help and may be easily obtainable from tool shops, auto shops in your area: -

http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/?ie=UTF8&...vptwo=&hvqmt=b&hvdev=c&ref=pd_sl_7mekhe0hmc_b

I have also made one using flat tape tightened with a screw driver handle using the Spanish windlass method, then twisting the screwdriver to act as a lever against at an angle to the lid.
Click to expand...

The difficulty I think will be finding one that will fit on something 210mm diameter.

Maybe make one out of an old camshaft drive belt.
 
Yep, I had this many moons ago and access was awful as well too. I used (as Vic said) an old drive belt pinched hard by a pair of mole grips. In the end, with both hands on the grippier surface of the outside on the belt I got more purchase and it let go. I nearly ended up taking the whole thing off, when it finally gave in and came loose.
 
Strap wrench (off the shelf or improvised) is a good suggestion, but if it has any kind of ribs or lugs on the circumference then you might try putting the tip of a large screwdriver against one and tapping it with a hammer. That's how I always had to open the filter housing on our old Yanmar.

Pete
 
I've got mine off by (ab)using a bar clamp to turn it by the cross on top. Has the benefit that you're not putting pressure on the thread like you would with a strap wrench. Then lubed it up with silicone grease. There is a chance of wedging the lid on cross-threaded, so be gentle when closing it again. Good luck!
 
Monique said:
My Volvo raw water separator lid is stuck. We changed it 2 months ago as it was cracked and coated the threads liberally with Blue marine grease before installation. Installed only hand tight.

Now, we cannot remove it for love nor money. Can we use a heat gun? (Carefully) or do we need a "tennis racket" type tool to remove it? Does anyone know where we could source such a tool? (21 CM diameter)

We live aboard and must check the strainer for barnies and other critters before they block our reverse cycle heater unit.

Help appreciated. TA :-)
Click to expand...

21cm is certainly a large filter but whatever you find to grip it with, old fan belt etc, warming the lid with a hairdryer or boiling water will certainly help its removal.

I used to use red grease on my filter lids because it's cheap but it does tend to dry out so now I've switched to silicone grease for all plastics and rubbers. A lot more expensive especially if bought in small tubes so I bit the bullet and bought 500g.

Richard
 
I was also going to suggest a strap wrench and a bit of heat from hot water or a hair drier. Avoid using a heat gun as these get hot enough to do damage fairly easily. These lids crack easily if you put pressure on the raised top section. I wonder if the grease has caused the O-ring to expand. I always use silicone grease and tighten very lightly. Even so, it's always pretty hard to take it off again a month later.

Good luck and I hope it comes loose without damage to the lid or body mounts.
 
Mistroma said:
I was also going to suggest a strap wrench and a bit of heat from hot water or a hair drier. Avoid using a heat gun as these get hot enough to do damage fairly easily. These lids crack easily if you put pressure on the raised top section. I wonder if the grease has caused the O-ring to expand. I always use silicone grease and tighten very lightly. Even so, it's always pretty hard to take it off again a month later.

Good luck and I hope it comes loose without damage to the lid or body mounts.
Click to expand...

Yes. Always use silicone grease on the seals/O rings and threads
 
I only have access from above, so I just cut a piece of ply to the shape of the top, and it catches the ribs on the lid of the strainer.
 
Thank you everyone. The problem with strap units is they apply great pressure on a single point... not good.

I will try the plywood with slits for the fins. The Volvo thing is badly engineered from the git go... Expensive carp!
 
Monique said:
Thank you everyone. The problem with strap units is they apply great pressure on a single point... not good.

I will try the plywood with slits for the fins. The Volvo thing is badly engineered from the git go... Expensive carp!
Click to expand...

There must be many in use. What do you see wrong with it? Apart from Volvo prices, of course.
 
^^^ Ghostlymoron..

Yep but the Volvo under engineered component. I tried all suggestions so far... but it won't budge. Even had a Great Big Dutchman try and he failed as well. Part of the problem is the suction on the cap... being 21 CM across gives it a large area to exert suction. I will probably dismount it from the boat on saturday and take it to a vice. That should crack it. For reinstallation, it will be tightened very softly with lots of Silicon grease.
 
Monique said:
^^^ Ghostlymoron..

Yep but the Volvo under engineered component. I tried all suggestions so far... but it won't budge. Even had a Great Big Dutchman try and he failed as well. Part of the problem is the suction on the cap... being 21 CM across gives it a large area to exert suction. I will probably dismount it from the boat on saturday and take it to a vice. That should crack it. For reinstallation, it will be tightened very softly with lots of Silicon grease.
Click to expand...

I presume your "Water Separator" is actually a water strainer, to stop weed etc before it gets to the pump. I've no idea where you think you are getting enough suction from, to stop the lid from unscrewing. Instead of your perception of poor design, is it not more than likely that you have either carelessly cross-threaded it, or failed to put some lubricant on the threads, or just screwed it up too tightly? Lots of these strainers are in use without difficulty.
 
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