Sea Strainer stuck

[MikeBravo]

I went to clean out the sea strainer for my A/C and the plastic handle broke and the strainer will not turn to remove it. Has anybody had this problem? How did you fix it? TIA.

 

[Carpediem44DB]

Are you talking about the strainer cap? Its a clear plastic one with a molded in relief in the center that us used to grab hold and twist off? Mine are all solid bronze with tool holes drilled in the boss to use a spanner to remove. Post a pic of yours and you may get some ideas on how to proceed. I had my seacock stick and was a chore to get moving again. I hope you are not talking about a plastic seacock handle.
Cheers

 

[markrsimon]

I wonder if the growth/dirt has overtaken. I had to remove the glass (w strainer still in) and clean it up on the bench. Soaking in barnacal buster or your favorite cleaner of choice should help. If you dont want to remove it - you could try removing most of the water (towels / wet vac) and then pour some barnacal buster in there and let it sit for a few. Good luck.

 

[MikeBravo]

Are you talking about the strainer cap? Its a clear plastic one with a molded in relief in the center that us used to grab hold and twist off? Mine are all solid bronze with tool holes drilled in the boss to use a spanner to remove. Post a pic of yours and you may get some ideas on how to proceed. I had my seacock stick and was a chore to get moving again. I hope you are not talking about a plastic seacock handle.
Cheers

I'm talking about the plastic canister inside the housing. The plastic handle has broken and I can't get a grip on the canaster to turn it.

 

[MikeBravo]

I wonder if the growth/dirt has overtaken. I had to remove the glass (w strainer still in) and clean it up on the bench. Soaking in barnacal buster or your favorite cleaner of choice should help. If you dont want to remove it - you could try removing most of the water (towels / wet vac) and then pour some barnacal buster in there and let it sit for a few. Good luck.

I don't have a glass sea stainer. I removed the top and it was full of muck, but could not remove the plastic strainer because the strap broke. I need to get it out to really clean it and order a new one to replace it.

 

[Shaps]

I used a coat hangar to wedge into the sides of the strainer (tried to lodge them into the holes) and pulled up.

 

[Carpediem44DB]

You might fill it with some barnacle buster or even a muriatic acid solution and let it sit to soften up the growth that is holding it in place. I would go ahead and get a replacement strainer and then not worry about destroying the original. You will want a new one anyway with an intact handle for future servicing.
CD

 

[ocgrant]

You might fill it with some barnacle buster or even a muriatic acid solution and let it sit to soften up the growth that is holding it in place. I would go ahead and get a replacement strainer and then not worry about destroying the original. You will want a new one anyway with an intact handle for future servicing.
CD

2nd that... Barnacle buster, have a beer and should pop out.