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22-06-2014, 11:38
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#1
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Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Chesapeake Bay, US
Posts: 56
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Screws Stuck in Water Pump
Hi all,
I wanted to change the water pump impeller of a Yanmar 15hp engine by myself, so I took out the water pump from the engine, which was easy ( two screws), then when I tried to take out the metal plate that covers the impeller, I was able to remove two screws, and four I couldn't, I almost ruined the thread as you can see from a close up picture. I cut the thread and deepen it, hopping that the screw driver would be able to loosen it, but I couldn't.
Also I tried to add WD-40, and still didn't work.
I know that when I take off of shore, I have to do everything by myself, and I am trying to learn anything I can about my boat.
Any suggestions, or tricks to loosen the screws?
Thanks,
Andy
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22-06-2014, 11:56
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#2
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Skagit City, WA
Posts: 25,769
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Re: screws stuck in water pulp
Normal procedure: remove all the paint out from around the screw heads first. It may be too late for this as you have buggered up the screw heads already. Then give a sharp rap with a hammer and close fitting screwdriver to "shock" the threads.
At this point I would get the closest fitting screwdriver I could find. You can use a hacksaw blade or small square edge file to rework those slots so they have a clean slot. Use a lot of down pressure and try to get them started.
Failing that, you can grind or saw the heads off and try to turn the shafts after the cover is off.
I'd say try to drill them out, but I've found with slot head screws it's nearly impossible to stay on center... and you might scrap the pump trying.
__________________
"I spent most of my money on Booze, Broads and Boats. The rest I wasted" - Elmore Leonard
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22-06-2014, 11:57
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#3
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Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Oregon
Boat: Seafarer36c
Posts: 5,563
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Re: screws stuck in water pulp
You are in a bit of a pickle. It looks like the next step is going to be an easy out. Don't buy the first easy-out set you find. Some work really well and and others don't. The long skinny ones require a deep hole and the deeper the hole you need the harder it is to drill a nice hole. Short stubby types of easy-outs are better for short screws.
Go slow.
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22-06-2014, 12:04
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#4
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Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Santa Cruz
Boat: SAnta Cruz 27
Posts: 7,220
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Re: screws stuck in water pulp
My solution would be to use a dremel tool with a cutting wheel to cut flats on the screw heads, then use a small (genuine) vice grip to clamp on the flats and turn the screw. Many times the head will just break off, or sometimes you will have to cut it off with the dremel--then you use the vice grips on the stub after you have the plate off.
All of this is after you have sprayed with your favorite penetrating oil (liquid wrench, PB Blaster) and tapped the screw with a hammer and screwdriver and waited 6 hours, repeated at least twice.
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22-06-2014, 12:11
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#5
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Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Southern California
Posts: 588
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Re: screws stuck in water pulp
Anti-seize, and hex bolts. Now that you know.
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22-06-2014, 12:36
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#6
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Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Miami Beach Fl
Boat: Colombia Cc 11.8
Posts: 1,758
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Quote:
Originally Posted by donradcliffe
My solution would be to use a dremel tool with a cutting wheel to cut flats on the screw heads, then use a small (genuine) vice grip to clamp on the flats and turn the screw. Many times the head will just break off, or sometimes you will have to cut it off with the dremel--then you use the vice grips on the stub after you have the plate off.
All of this is after you have sprayed with your favorite penetrating oil (liquid wrench, PB Blaster) and tapped the screw with a hammer and screwdriver and waited 6 hours, repeated at least twice.
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+1. If you don't have a dremel tool a file will work. Take your time. I forget where I read it but transmission fluid and acetone mixed works as well or better than the store bought products. Try not to use too much force and rock it back and forth. If after a couple days they're still stuck you can try using a torch. If the heads break off the bolts use a punch.drill them out using a very small drill bit and slowly go up sizes until you have almost all of the bolt out, letting the bolt get hot and then spraying with penetrating oil. next would be to use an easy out, but if you don't have one a flat head screwdriver that fits inside Will often work
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22-06-2014, 13:42
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#7
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Senior Cruiser

Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: 29° 49.16 N 82° 25.82 W
Boat: Pearson 422
Posts: 16,307
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Re: screws stuck in water pulp
Quote:
Originally Posted by donradcliffe
All of this is after you have sprayed with your favorite penetrating oil (liquid wrench, PB Blaster) and tapped the screw with a hammer and screwdriver and waited 6 hours, repeated at least twice.
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Since the screws are already a bit buggered you're going to have to work a little harder and more carefully to avoid trashing the whole pump.
Use PB Blaster. It works about 1000 times better than WD40 for loosening screws.
Clean the screw heads, spray well with PB Blaster, let it sit for a day. Get a hand held butane torch and heat the screws. Not too much, just to the point where it is slightly to hot to hold your finger on it. Add more PB Blaster. Tap all the screw heads several times with a hammer. Don't smack'em hard, but a firm tap. Then try to grab the screw heads with a good vise grip and turn.
BE VERY CAREFUL USING AN EZOUT. I have sworn off after 10-12 times breaking an EZOUT bit off in a screw (guess I'm a slow learner). EZOUTS are really hard metal so they can grip the hole but also very, very brittle and will snap off in a second. Once that happens you are really screwed. The only thing I've found to fix that is to grind the broken part out with an expensive diamond or tungsten carbide bit.
__________________
The water is always bluer on the other side of the ocean.
Sometimes it's necessary to state the obvious for the benefit of the oblivious.
Rust is the poor man's Loctite.
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22-06-2014, 14:14
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#8
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Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Chesapeake Bay, US
Posts: 56
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Re: screws stuck in water pulp
Hi,
Where do I find the (PB Blaster). I never heard of it before.
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22-06-2014, 14:19
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#9
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Senior Cruiser

Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: 29° 49.16 N 82° 25.82 W
Boat: Pearson 422
Posts: 16,307
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Re: screws stuck in water pulp
Quote:
Originally Posted by openseas
Hi,
Where do I find the (PB Blaster). I never heard of it before.
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What country are you in?
__________________
The water is always bluer on the other side of the ocean.
Sometimes it's necessary to state the obvious for the benefit of the oblivious.
Rust is the poor man's Loctite.
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22-06-2014, 14:22
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#10
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Senior Cruiser

Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: 29° 49.16 N 82° 25.82 W
Boat: Pearson 422
Posts: 16,307
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Re: screws stuck in water pulp
Quote:
Originally Posted by openseas
Hi,
Where do I find the (PB Blaster). I never heard of it before.
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OK, looked at your old posts and you mention going to a West Marine so you must be in the USA. In that case, Home Depot, most hardware stores (Ace?), Autozone, probably even West Marine.
__________________
The water is always bluer on the other side of the ocean.
Sometimes it's necessary to state the obvious for the benefit of the oblivious.
Rust is the poor man's Loctite.
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22-06-2014, 14:33
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#11
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Marine Service Provider
Join Date: May 2012
Location: New Orleans
Boat: We have a problem... A serious addiction issue.
Posts: 3,974
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Re: Screws Stuck in Water Pump
It was mentioned above, but needs to be pointed out again. Get rid of every slotted head screw on the boat. I can't stand the damn things. I prefer square or hex, but even a Phillips is worlds better than a slotted.
__________________
Greg
- If animals weren't meant to be eaten then they wouldn't be made of food.
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22-06-2014, 14:42
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#12
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Skagit City, WA
Posts: 25,769
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Re: Screws Stuck in Water Pump
"BE VERY CAREFUL USING AN EZOUT. I have sworn off after 10-12 times breaking an EZOUT bit off in a screw (guess I'm a slow learner). EZOUTS are really hard metal so they can grip the hole but also very, very brittle and will snap off in a second. Once that happens you are really screwed. The only thing I've found to fix that is to grind the broken part out with an expensive diamond or tungsten carbide bit. "
 Yes, ditto on that for sure. This would be a tiny Easy Out. Not to mention trying to drill a centered hole in what... #8 screw? I like to put in SS Allen head bolts. Easy to use when turning in the blind! And SS and bronze are very forgiving together.
__________________
"I spent most of my money on Booze, Broads and Boats. The rest I wasted" - Elmore Leonard
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22-06-2014, 14:53
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#13
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Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Miami Beach Fl
Boat: Colombia Cc 11.8
Posts: 1,758
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+1 on ez breaks and using Allen heads
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22-06-2014, 15:15
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#14
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Moderator
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: aboard, in Tasmania, Australia
Boat: Sayer 46' Solent rig sloop
Posts: 29,989
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Re: Screws Stuck in Water Pump
....And if you want a quick changing water pump impeller cover, Google on Speed Seal, it's what we're using now. Order extra o-rings for it at the time of purchase; otherwise they're expensive with the shipping.
Ann
__________________
Who scorns the calm has forgotten the storm.
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22-06-2014, 15:17
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#15
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Senior Cruiser

Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: 29° 49.16 N 82° 25.82 W
Boat: Pearson 422
Posts: 16,307
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Re: Screws Stuck in Water Pump
Quote:
Originally Posted by Stumble
It was mentioned above, but needs to be pointed out again. Get rid of every slotted head screw on the boat. I can't stand the damn things. I prefer square or hex, but even a Phillips is worlds better than a slotted.
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Amen to that. How do I hate slotted screws? Let me count the ways.
__________________
The water is always bluer on the other side of the ocean.
Sometimes it's necessary to state the obvious for the benefit of the oblivious.
Rust is the poor man's Loctite.
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