Can't open deckfill.

[mainemandean]

Why us? Seriously.

Today we went to get a pumpout. We have a deckplate for the holding tank on the cockpit sole, like that shown below. Good news: the pumpout station was functioning.

Bad news: NOTHING I tried could get the cap to turn. Nothing. I Kroiled. I poured boiling water. I used a torch. I applied tons of torque. I used a screwdriver (at 12 o'clock) and a hammer, and beat the living $#!t out of the thing. No dice.

So, as of now we are technically full of ...

Does anyone have a suggestion? (No, don't want to sell the boat.)

HELP!!!!

[Allied39]

Sounds to me like you are about to install a new deckplate pump out fitting.
I would drill two holes and send a couple of 5/16 bolts into it and then use the longest bar possible to apply as much torque as possible to find the weakspot.....well unless the weakspot is your cockpit sole....stop before you tear that up.
And when you install the new one.....add a little lube.
A wise man once said " lubrication is the key to happiness"......and yes...obviously he was refering to mechanical situations......

[steve77]

Possibly try heating the whole fitting followed by ice on the cap only. Perhaps just the heat/cold cycle will break whatever is causing the cap to be seized to the deck fitting.

Best of luck.

Steve

[Bill Seal]

https://www.harborfreight.com/air-im...kit-92037.html
Borrow an air compressor (or SCUBA tank) and an air chisel and chatter the crap out of it. A hammer and screwdriver doesn't the high impact.

[BlackHeron]

We have had this problem 3 times in 4 years. The first two times I was able to beat the thing with a hammer and punch until it finally opened. The third time it busted a hole in the cap. I was able to find a new cap at Bacon that physically fit, but it sticks up 1/16" higher than the deck plate. Seems to seal though.

I've tried a number of different lubes but finally settled on Lanocote. It hasn't gotten stuck since. I lube it every 3-4 times we pump out now. One of these days I should just get a whole new deck plate but I know the holes are never going to line up with ! those made for the 45 year old one

[VChild]

[QUOTE=mainemandean;3420800]Why us? Seriously.

"...like that shown below"


Didn't see a picture in your post

[Greatest Lakes]

Dow corning or Dupont Molykote 111. Lube the threads and the seals before you reinstall. Works good on engine parts, impellers, anything rubber. Seals, protects and effectively inert.

[mainemandean]

Sorry, I forgot the link.

https://www.spartanmarine.com/all-pr...nze-deck-fills

[Spot]

Is taking off the hose clamps and mounting screws and extracting the fitting an option for this pump-out session? Then 'work' with it on the dock or marina's shop?

[gonesail]

also these spartan deck keys are really useful. you can fit a big wrench to them and usually open a stuck cap.

[mainemandean]

Originally Posted by Spot

Is taking off the hose clamps and mounting screws and extracting the fitting an option for this pump-out session? Then 'work' with it on the dock or marina's shop?

Not really, but thanks!

[mainemandean]

A big THANKS to everyone who responded!

[mainemandean]

Originally Posted by gonesail

also these spartan deck keys are really useful. you can fit a big wrench to them and usually open a stuck cap.

That's exactly what we're using. I found a way to stableize it in the slot, then hammer on it in a CCW direction. No dice.

[Cheechako]

new deck plate. Then be sure to put a little lanolin on the oring and the threads when you screw in the cap!
I had one I couldn't get to open even with a cold chisel!

[AlanT]

Have you tried liquid wrench?

Spray, then leave for an hour, then spray again then apply shock (tap downwards with a hammer) then try to remove.