Frozen cap on Sea Strainer

[RichBirk]

On returning from a week on the water last Tuesday, I went to remove the cap on the sea water strainer so I could fresh water rinse the engine. STUCK!! No matter how hard I tried I could only get it to budge, but not to unscrew. 😳
I ended up building my own tool on a 3/4" ratchet and a 3' cheater bar. It finally came out, no corrosion (it had only been one month since previous flush), but the O ring was shredded and dry. Will be greasing the O ring from now on. Don't know if this would be a problem if the boat lived in the water, but if you haven't taken your strainer out for a while, you might check it while tied to the dock and if the O ring is dry - add some grease. Our R29CB lives on a trailer.

 

[ohioan55]

Good advice. Thanks

 

[Mr. Ed]

I'm no expert, but if the O ring is rubber it might degrade over time when exposed to petroleum products. There are some synthetic products, like those used with water pump impellers, that might be a safer choice. I encourage the experts to correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[ixlr8]

Parker, the o-ring manufacturer, has a synthetic o-ring lube which is the best stuff I have found for keeping orings lubricated, it is a bit hard to find though. Parker Super O-lube.
They do have a hydrocarbon based o-ring lube that is easier to find, Parker O-lube, but I have never used it so I don't know how good it is.

 

[RichBirk]

Forgot to mention what I used. A teflon based grease that came from a local pump and irrigation supply business.Use sparingly, O-ring only.

 

[BB marine]

Rubber is damaged from petroleum products. Most o-rings are not made of rubber because of a poor resistance to oil or petroleum products. O-rings are made from different elastomer polymers most are made with a high resistance to failure when used with a petroleum product. Even the lower rated polymers hold up if a mild petroleum product is used as a lubricant. The best is a silicon base lubricant. During a pump, cylinder, Relief Valve or block valve rebuild I used Vaseline on o-rings in refineries. I used Valvoline on the o-rings unless the manufacture required a silicone lubricant.

Vaseline is a very mild petroleum product. If it wasn't, we wouldn't use it in so many products which involve skin care. If o-rings were actually made of rubber, then there would be concern.

There are products that are specifically designed for lubricating o-rings but for an average boater a small tube of Vaseline is a handy product to keep on board. My opinion is Vaseline on the orings and a little on the hands to soften them up after a day in the bilge. :shock: