Has anyone removed the builder installed propane solenoid? In our boat the stainless phillips head bolts holding the solenoid in place are coated with gelcoat. Given their awkward location (upside down in a very tight place) it's next to impossible to remove the gelcoat from the bolt head. I'm anticipating that I won't be able to get a good bite with the screw driver. Any suggestions?
Propane solenoid removal
- Thread starter thomasg101
- Start date
It is badly corroded and I'm fearful of it failing. I know the adage, "don't fix unless broke", but in this case I need to refill the tank and feel it's prudent to replace the solenoid. At some point it will fail and need to be replaced. I'd rather do it now under more controlled conditions
I will have to look at mine this weekend. I have only had my 310 for 3 months and have not had to fill the tank or mess around with it yet (prior owner was nice enough to leave a half tank of propane for me). I don't remember mine looking like it was mounted back there into the jelcoat.
On our boat the bolts holding the solenoid are accessible in the aft starboard compartment near where the 12v wires exit the tank compartment. The bolt heads are difficult, if not impossible to see, without a mirror. I've bought a dental type pick tool with the hope it can attack the gelcoat enough to get a good grip with the screw driver. I can only get my left arm into the compartment sufficiently to work the pick. I'll jury-rig a clamp for the mirror to see what I'm doing. I'm going to work on it Friday. I'll let you know how it goes.
Here are pictures of my dilemma. I haven't been able to remove enough of the gelcoat from the phillips head bolts sufficient to get a bite with the screw driver. I'm hesitant to try drilling the heads for an extractor tool given the award location. It would have been nice if Catalina had the fore thought to use hex head bolts instead.
Well that didn't work. Pictures may be too big. I can right click and open the link. Can anybody else?