pre-pump strainers

Nan-C · Posted: Fri Nov 09, 2007 6:35 pm Post subject: pre-pump strainers

I winterized the boat last week and wondered if I should be able to open the strainers for the cockpit washdown pump and the pump for the water system. Logic says I should. The appearance of a threaded cap says I should. But I can't. I'm twisting as hard as I dare at this point. Am I missing something? Should I try a strap wrench -- carefully?

Greg

flapbreaker · Posted: Fri Nov 09, 2007 7:52 pm Post subject:

Funny you should ask. I did just that recently. I removed the hoses from the filter so I could clean it outside of the boat. I think I used a strap wrench on the cap. I had lots of plastic peices from the tank in mine.

I should add that I don't have a a 25' cruiser. My washdown was after market so maybe your filter is different.

Jeff Brigner · Posted: Fri Nov 09, 2007 8:02 pm Post subject: wash down pump strainer

When you figure it out please !!!! Tell me how you do it also. Rolling Eyes

It even has directions on the top. I took the lid off the shower drain pump in the locker and cleaned it out with a shop vac. Not an easy task getting the floor access off. I think I'm missing something there also. Cathy and I have pretty much decided that we should take the boat to Ft Myers Fl for the winter. That would solve the problem CoolSmile

dotnmarty · Posted: Fri Nov 09, 2007 8:30 pm Post subject:

Funny you should mention that. I ran into a Brat as I was entering West Marine today. We had a nice little chat . He said he just bought his wife a wash down pump for her birthday. As he pulled away I wondered if he thought her favorite flower was Pillsbury. (Yes, I know he was kidding!) My entire purchase was one stainless screw for 12 cents. Ya gotta luv a 16 footer! Wink

JamesTXSD · Posted: Fri Nov 09, 2007 9:23 pm Post subject:

When I replaced the water pump in ours last month, I had to reuse the original filter. It definitely unscrews. Our, too, was full of plastic bits from the tank being drilled out. As a side note, I mounted the pump on a vertical board so that it wouldn't be IN the bilge water. Before mounting the pump to the board, I put some non-skid behind the pump and the board (mounted to the battery shelf) - it is MUCH quieter now. And, the flow is better with the filter cleaned out.

Best wishes,
Jim B.

thataway · Posted: Fri Nov 09, 2007 9:56 pm Post subject:

The strainers unscrew--and a strap wrench would be OK if necessary. I put silicon grease on the threads and gasket when I put them back together, This makes them much easier to dis-assemble when necessary.

Nan-C · Posted: Mon Nov 12, 2007 10:05 pm Post subject:

Jeff on C-Pearl:

I got the cap off the strainer for the washdown pump -- more by luck than anything. The space under the step into the cabin where the strainer is located was a little tight for the strap wrench, but fumbling around with the wrench finally loosened it enough for me to get it off by hand. There was enough water in there for me to feel good about getting it out before a big freeze.

The space was much more accommodating for the wrench in the case of the strainer for the water system pump. However, unlike the washdown pump strainer, which is firmly screwed down, this one clearly will not withstand much force, and I'll have to try it later with a wrench to apply counter force -- when I remember to bring one home from the blackhole we know as my mother-in-law's house. Crying or Very sad

I'm not worried about this one for the moment because of the antifreeze I pumped through it. I'll probably follow Jim's lead and move the pump up and deal with the strainer cap then.

Greg

JamesTXSD · Posted: Mon Nov 12, 2007 10:33 pm Post subject:

One more thought, Greg... on the pump on Wild Blue, the filter disconnects from the main body of the pump with two integral clips (located on the pumps, where the filter connects). If you can get those open (they move outward from the connection), you may be able to get a better grip on the filter to unscrew it.

HTH

Best wishes,
Jim