Frozen Zink!?

[Bad Obsession]

I am attempting to change the Zink in my heat exchanger. I am sure that it hasn't been changed in a while and it needs to be changed (This is a new-to-me boat). I have started messing with it and it is really, really, really hard to turn. It is almost frozen in place. I wasn't even sure if I was turning it the right way when I started messing with it. It has come corrosion on it. I tried to old trick of using WD-40 to get it to move and it didn't work. I don't want to mess up the heat exchanger and I don't want to strip the head on the zink. Does anyone know a solution for this? My current solution is to have the yard remove the zink for me. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

 

[NewportVic]

Depending on how old the exchanger is ...

I would think twice about trying to change it. If there are no symptoms that the exchanger is clogging up ... high running temp ... you might do more damage than having no zinc will do. But if you have to hehab the exchanger ... that would be an ideal time to refit the zinc.Vic "Seven"

 

[Don]

penetrol

WD40 isn't that good a penetrating oil. Try penetrol or it's equivalent and if that doesn't work, try heat which should work where all else fails. Not replacing the zinc is asking for much bigger problems.

 

[Bill Roosa]

After usung penetrating oil

try the time tested method of loosinig it as much as you can then screwing it back in. Repeat this as often as necessary till the sucker comes out. You break up the rust when you screw it back in and can get it a little further out each time.Good luck and don't be a gorrilla!

 

[Paul Akers]

Use PB Blaster Penetrating Oil

Use the penetrating oil and let ir soak in overnight then give it another try. PB Blaster is phenomenal!

 

[patrick]

Use the correct size socket, too

No pliers or crescent wrenches. Six point sockets work best and a breaker bar. Don't force it. A lot of back and forth will generally get her out. Pepsi or coke will also work sometimes as a penetrating lube.