raw water strainer top will not unscrew

Ron Carpenter · Post by **Ron Carpenter** » Jun 10th, '99, 13:39

In my CD 24'Trawler, I have the Westerbeke 30hp diesel. I purchased the boat about a year ago. Since that time, I have not been able to unscrew the top to the raw water strainer to clean that filter. It simply will not budge, even with two people trying to do it. The engine compartment is very crowded so trying to use some sort of a lever on the side of the handle on the top will not work (the strainer is on a bulkhead only a couple of inches from the engine itself). I have tried a rubber mallet to jar it a little bit. Again, no luck. Any suggestions? Ron

ronstyle@ufl.edu

John · Post by **John** » Jun 15th, '99, 23:34

Ron,

I don't know if you have ever heard of the product, but "PB Blaster" in a aerosal can is a phenomenal corossion breaker. It definately breaks through salt encrusted, rusted and even electrolyticly damaged and jammed parts. Great stuff for freeing engine bolts, trailer bolts, deck hardware etc, etc,. Should solve your problem without a hitch, just let it soak a little to break it loose.