Remove Hose between AC Inlet Filter & AC Pump

[GaylesFaerie]

The section of hose between the seawater strainer for the AC cooling water and the AC pump developed a rupture of sorts creating a bubble in the hose. Its beyond me how that happened on the suction side of the pump but there it is:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/Mup6tZBxwjrFtCbJ7

The problem I’m having is removing the 17” section of hard think rubber hose between the AC pump inlet and the strainer outlet. That hose is stiff and the hoses and all fittings and components are in a straight line. And the pump fitting where it attaches is all plastic and wobbling so I’m nervous about breaking it.

So far I got the hose clamps off both ends of the hose, removed the screws holding the strainer down to get a bit more wiggle room and I’m able to twist the hose axially round and round on both barb fittings.

The only options I can think of are: a) remove the 4 screws holding the pump which can then be pulled away from the hose, b) apply a heat gun to the hose to soften it, or 3) get some big honkin bolt cutters and just cut it.

Image of hoses and fittings between the seacock and pump inlet:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/jCN2tbvDN4jU7Eny6

And once I do get it off I kinda have the reverse problem of getting that stiff hose onto the fittings .

Any comments and insights appreciated.

GF

 

[Kevin Lamont]

The section of hose between the seawater strainer for the AC cooling water and the AC pump developed a rupture of sorts creating a bubble in the hose. Its beyond me how that happened on the suction side of the pump but there it is:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/Mup6tZBxwjrFtCbJ7

The problem I’m having is removing the 17” section of hard think rubber hose between the AC pump inlet and the strainer outlet. That hose is stiff and the hoses and all fittings and components are in a straight line. And the pump fitting where it attaches is all plastic and wobbling so I’m nervous about breaking it.

So far I got the hose clamps off both ends of the hose, removed the screws holding the strainer down to get a bit more wiggle room and I’m able to twist the hose axially round and round on both barb fittings.

The only options I can think of are: a) remove the 4 screws holding the pump which can then be pulled away from the hose, b) apply a heat gun to the hose to soften it, or 3) get some big honkin bolt cutters and just cut it.

Image of hoses and fittings between the seacock and pump inlet:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/jCN2tbvDN4jU7Eny6

And once I do get it off I kinda have the reverse problem of getting that stiff hose onto the fittings .

Any comments and insights appreciated.

GF

Hello,

I have had stubborn hoses in the past, here are some tips and tools that will help.

1. Using heat is a good idea, don't need a whole lot but enough to soften the hose
2. Use a hose pick, like these https://www.harborfreight.com/professio ... 57573.html
3. Work the pick around the connection best you can and free the hose from the barb, sometimes using the pick to work the hose loose and off is necessary.
4. Worse case, use a sharp blade and cut the hose at the end and continue till blade passes barb connection. This will allow you to "peel" the hose off and free.

Hope this helps, I know it is tight in there but with the pick tool it will help out a lot.

Thanks,

 

[GaylesFaerie]

Thanks Kevin for your quick response. I did use picks (from that same collection of six bought at HF over the winter) and a very sharp knife. I didn't make much progress though cause it seems this hose has a wire reinforcement embedded in it which prevented me from getting much satisfaction. Of course I was cutting in one direction and it looks like the wire may be running in the other direction (50/50 chance right?). I think I'll try a heat gun next. GF

 

[GaylesFaerie]

Circling back to close the loop on this. After running over 150 feet of electric cord in the boat yard for the heat gun, a very mechanically minded friend dropped by. Given the heavy duty hose and relatively tight spaces between fittings, he suggested removing the hose run all the way from the sea cock to the pump (this involved removing the the two fasteners securing the pump and all hose clamps). That additional length increased the amount of vertical wiggle room available and with one person pulling up and rotating the hose while the other pried the hose off on the pump end it came out.

He couldn't understand either how such a heavy reinforced hose could pop a bubble like that on the suction side of the pump, so we chalked it up to a defective section of hose (lottery winner of sorts).

That said, the heat gun did come in handy removing the hose from the filter so I could give it a good cleaning!

Looking forward to more heat here in the NE.

GF