320 broken sea strainers

[topgun1185]

I block my boat for the winter, Groco 1 1/4" sea strainers with srew off tops and clear plastic bowls. To my dissmay I found both of my strainer bowls completly cracked and not able to hols water. Upon diss assembly it seems the bowls are connected to the housing with multiple 1/4" 20 stainless bolts around the periminter flange with a "o" ring seal. Both plastic bowls were completly cracked. It was not cold enough to freeze. My best guess is vibration caused a fracture then complete failure. The starboard strainer is bolted to a piece of plywood that is thru bolted to the stringer and engine mount. In it's location it is often missused as a step down into the engine. Could this cause the cracking of the bowl?
Does any else have this problem? I do not like this set up at all and am now looking at all metal strainer that does not solely rely on this plastic flnage for it's integrity.

 

[skolbe]

Never had this problem. The folks at Groco are very nice. Call them.

 

[Sublimetime]

we need a cleanup

 

[chollyjohn]

Sounds to me that they need to stop using a STRAINER as a step down to the engine compartment. Personally, I prefer a glass strainer with brass ring bottom and swing top (2 bolt) cover. Never had a problem with them and again never used it as a step down. Doubt if Graco would think its a manufacturers defect.