Hi, everyone. New to me 2007 MS 400. Tried to remove the lids on both the engine and generator Water Strainer on the first outing without success. Is there a special tool that fits the center square and wings?
Greetings,
Mr. w. Welcome aboard. Nope. Sorry Mr. Gm. No spanner wrench for this lid. Get a large flat wrench, put it flat on top, turn counter clockwise, the wrench will engage in the ears/tabs sticking up and give you the leverage. If REALLY stuck, go the penetrating oil/gentle heat route.
The one in the picture is for deck fitting and the old time Groco filters.
I have used a open end wrench on the ear and the bar of the wrench on the other ear and strain myself loosening it, making sure nothing slips off. Once off, check the o-ring and load the threads with anti-seize grease and remember to finger tight.
Close the through hull. Put a wrench across the raised notches and lightly tap the end of the wrench with a rubber mallet (of which you should have two or three sizes on board). Increase tap pressure until it moves.
If you don't have enough room for a horizontal tap, put one lip of a wrench on a raised notch and tap with the mallet more vertically.
PB Blaster, wait a while and a modest heat gun (not a torch) would be my suggestion, I would also suggest replacing the o-ring and silicone lube after, BTW heat the body not the cap.
Neverseize would work, but man is it messy and as Psneeld says, you need to use one that is saltwater compatible. For bolt threads in the boat, I use the nickle based neverseize. For threaded fittings like this, I use the red marine "waterproof" grease.
I have a MS 430...just purchased and had the same problem. I used a large channel lock to take them off. Get one large enough to easily go around the lid.
Been there... Agree with menzies approach. Sometimes you need a lot of tapping to eventually loosen. Once removed lubricate the o-ring as mentioned and hand tighten only. Just don’t wait too long (month or two) to reopen or you will have to go through the protracted effort again.