Frozen Tank Deckfill

[Joe500]

I have metal deckfills for both the water tank and the waste tank. If these are not used for a long time, they become stuck to their housing and impossible to unscrew. The top of the deckfill accepts a winch handle and even with that I cannot budge it. I've already replaced the entire housing once but I'd prefer not do that again. Is there any other way to unfreeze it? I tried liquid wrench to no avail. I have a gas torch for soldering, would that help, if I say heated the deck fill and then threw some water on it to cool it? Or would the heat cause permanent damage to the fiberglass around the housing?

[thinwater]

Originally Posted by Joe500

I have metal deckfills for both the water tank and the waste tank. If these are not used for a long time, they become stuck to their housing and impossible to unscrew. The top of the deckfill accepts a winch handle and even with that I cannot budge it. I've already replaced the entire housing once but I'd prefer not do that again. Is there any other way to unfreeze it? I tried liquid wrench to no avail. I have a gas torch for soldering, would that help, if I say heated the deck fill and then threw some water on it to cool it? Or would the heat cause permanent damage to the fiberglass around the housing?

And grease them when you use them.

[Zednotzee]

Originally Posted by thinwater

And grease them when you use them.

I'd agree with that. Also, I believe there are some white grease/lithium grease products that are certified for use on food processing machinery, which I assume to mean it won't poison you should some get into the water tank.

Heat will unstick metal fasteners in most situations, but I think the risk of damage to your deck is too high in this case.

[Sailndive345]

I removed my stuck cap by cutting it with a dremmel tool...It is the (dry) rubber seal around that acts like a brake and won't budge - because of the thread on the cap, it's almost impossible grease it in place.

Replacements from Beneteau were surprisingly reasonable. Definitely grease the new one.

Sailndive

[sabray]

food grade silicone spray. unless you leave them for years. try graingers.

[Sailndive345]

Originally Posted by Sailndive345

I removed my stuck cap by cutting it with a dremmel tool...It is the (dry) rubber seal around that acts like a brake and won't budge - because of the thread on the cap, it's almost impossible grease it in place.

Replacements from Beneteau were surprisingly reasonable. Definitely grease the new one.

Sailndive

My above statement was regarding the holding tank cap. It is the one with the black rubber seal (looks like a fat o-ring) - I grease these with o ring grease.

My water tank caps operate the same way (winch handle) but do not have the same black rubber seal - instead, they have an off-white hard plastic seal and it doesn't seem to get stuck (I have never greased these)

Is your problematic one the holding tank cap or the water cap?

Sailndive

[barnakiel]

1) is there still a gasket in place? We just vaseline (petroleum jelly) the gasket. It never gets stuck now.

2) have a special SS key to open them (or replace with the type that takes a winch handle.

b.

[hugosalt]

For problems just as you describe....buy a piece of dry ice...
isolate and hold it on the screw of cap only (not the housing)
give it time about 5 minutes or so...then immediately try to
remove...a little impact(hammering on the winch handle may
still be needed. Wear several pairs of gloves and use rags...
the dry ice is not to be touched. Goodluck Hugo