Sea Water Filter

T

TonyS

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23 Feb 2003
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What is the best way to open a sea water filter. Mine has a thick webbed black screw-on lid which holds down a plastic disc about 1.5mm thick with a tab in the middle. This disc provides the seal against the rubber gasket moulded into the top of the basket.
My problem is that it is very difficult to pull this disc out using pliers on the tab. I am afraid it will break. Is there another way to easily break the vacuum seal. What do you do and if the tab breaks off how do you repair it?
I am now in Benodet and had to stop twice for weed in the sea water filter! I don't really want to do a disc repair at sea in difficult conditions.
 
Hi Tony, Benodet already? You're making good progress /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif.

I have had that sort of (Volvo?) filter for over 10 years and have NEVER had a problem getting the plastic disc out ... but then again I have never had a problem with the amount of weed that you are talking about.

Is it feasible to break the apparent vacuum by cracking off the screws on the impellor cover???

Just a thought.

Rgds

Steve
 
Hi Tony,
I think I have the same (Volvo) filter. Like you, it is sometimes difficult to remone the disc. I (and the marine engineer) use a screwdriver between the edge of the disc and the casing. Gently lever it up. Should not be a problem.

Good luck.
 
I wondered if the screwdriver technique was possible. I will try it next time. I just wondered if there was space round the edge but now I will try it. Thanks.
 
Hi Steve,
Yes we spent 4 nights in and around Benodet. We have had good passages with no drama but we didn't stop more than a night from St Peter Port to Benodet via Trebuerden, L'Aber wrac'h, Camaret. We had a lovely night up the river Odet on a buoy.
Today we came to Le Foret, a lovely sail in sunshine and played golf this afternoon.
Surprisingly, I just looked at the engine an hour out of St Peter Port and noticed a lot of bubbles in the sea water system. I had a good look at the exhaust and there was some steam! I stopped the engine and thought the impeller had gone but it was OK. I looked at the sea water filter and it was almost full of a fine green weed.
I think the problem with removing the lid is the non return valve I have fitted just before the Vetus anti syphon valve. It solves the problem of water being sucked out when sailing but makes it very difficult to remove the lid. I will do it next time with the sea cock open - that should help. Have you any plans now for leaving? Send me a pm when you do and perhaps we can meet up somewhere?
 
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