Franke Tap - Valve Covers Won't Come Off

[Croftie]

Hi, need some help getting the valve covers off this Franke tap to replace the valves.

Mythos MTG MTV & MTX

Chrome/ Silksteel : Production Date (approx) 2011 :Replacement Valves & O-Rings InstructionsBody Bushes

central-servicesuk.co.uk

Have undone the grub screw underneeth and sprayed WD40 in the end and soaked it in white vinager but it's not budging at all.

The only way I can think of now is to jam a flat head inbetween the cover and tap body to get some leverage on it but obviously that will ruin the finish on the tap. Have got replacement valve covers so don't mind ruining those just don't know how to go about it or if there is a tool I can get to prise it off?

 

[DiyNutJob]

Have you tried turning the cover by twisting - counterclockwise to loosen for normal thread? Showing a picture of the replacement cover will help. What is inside it?

 

[Croftie]

Did try twisting it no movement at all. It's a hard water area I wonder if it's limescale bonding it to the tap body.

Here's the replacement cover, it's smooth inside no thread or anything.

 

[DiyNutJob]

What's the threaded hole on the side of the cover? Does it open to inside of the cover to allow fixing by a grub screw?

 

[Laurieo]

If you've got replacements give it a tap with a hammer to break limescale seal .

 

[oldbuffer]

Worth checking there isn't another grub screw. They are sometimes fitted in twos to help prevent loosening.

 

[Croftie]

What's the threaded hole on the side of the cover? Does it open to inside of the cover to allow fixing by a grub screw?

Sorry forgot to mention I had already removed the grub screw.

If you've got replacements give it a tap with a hammer to break limescale seal .

Will try that.

Worth checking there isn't another grub screw. They are sometimes fitted in twos to help prevent loosening.

Seems to only be one. Whatever I pour into the hole for the valve comes out the grub screw hole as well.

Thank you all for the suggestions, looks like I just got to show it the hammer.

 

[DiyNutJob]

If the tap is on ceramics, hammering risks cracking it. Maybe taking off the whole tap to work on it if that is an option. Rather than WD40, try cilit bang. I found that to work well on scale.

 

[cozzmic]

Heat, boiling water, blowlamp

 

[opps]

I would be tempted to give it a gentle tap from above, possibly with a rubber mallet.

 

[opps]

Looking at the removal video, I agree that it is probably just limescale.