New Method of removing those stuck pellet vent cleanout T caps

Hello
Some caps are just made better than others and are so easy to remove. In this example there is a push in and twist to lock in Simpson Duravent 3" cap and I have one of the worst ones I have ever seen as being a little flimsy so it was really almost impossible to get off with most methods!!! After trying oil cap strap wrenches which really do not work well and other methods, here is what I found that so far works every time!
1. squirt seam with PB Blaster or Liquid wrench and repeat every time you move it to get more seeping in to where it is needed.
2. Use extra large gas pliers (Channel Locks) to grab and turn it to the point where it can be pulled off.
3. Use a block of woot and a rubber hammer to bang whatever small flange on there down all around the pipe until it falls off. A screw driver can go right thru the piping sometimes so the wood is better.

Replace cap with a 3PVP-CO Duravent Pro cap after spraying inside seam with dry Moly to assure it can be removed easily next time.

Pic 1 - Channel Locks to budge the real stuck ones
Pic 2 - Wood and Rubber Hammer Prevent a Puncture!
Pic 3-4 Simpson Duravent Cleanout T Pro Cap VS Duravent Cap - Looks are not to different but the quality is!

Anyone else have this trouble???

 

Good idea to paint the arrow.
I have had zero luck with the strap wrench but I only tried the strap wrench on the real tough ones. :-(

 

No, tell me you didn't have to use the woot - that means it's serious

 

Thanks for the advice. The tee cap on my P68 flue has not come off since it was installed in 2008. Thinking it's a permanent fixture now, but if I ever have a go at it, I will keep these tricks in mind.

 

You are welcome, The venting in my pics was also the first time it ever came off too!
So I put a new pro cap on and now cleaning is easy peasy!!!

 

My solution: Excel ICC pipe......

 

I do like that cap that is held in by a thumb screw!

Do not see much of that around here!

 

just a bit more expensive....the thumbscrew is great, isn't it?

 

Yes

What do you think about the Selkirk Vacuum cleanout?

 

a coating of nickel anti seize goes a long way on the clean out cap

 

I'm not sure what nickel anti-seize is, but I applied anti-seize to all of the joints that are outside before putting the exhaust back together.

 

Nickel anti seize is just high temp anti seize. Smart move putting the anti seize on.

 

I have the NAPA brand which, upon further review, says it resists heat up to 1600 degrees.