Symbol Tap

Hi everyone.
The kitchen tap in our 2003 Symbol needs to be repaired / replaced.  
It has a small leak between the fixed base and the swiveling section.  A new cartridge has not fixed the problem so I plan to remove the tap to investigate further or fit a new one.
The problem is access.
I have removed the sink (pretty straight forward) but the back of the cabinet space is blanked off with 1/4 inch white faced ply.  This has been glued in place so removal would destroy it.

I'm considering cutting a largish hole in this to gain access to the fixings and water connections.

I have also read that access can be obtained by removing the lower of the fridge vents but I would like to avoid this if possible as I wouldn't want to create a potential leak from the elements.

Has anyone else had success doing this repair ??

Thanks

Carver.

Fridge vents are usually very easy to remove and are regularly used as access points for servicing by dealers etc. I wouldn't be too worried about gaining access that way, they're designed to handle water after all.

I would certainly look first to see if you can get at it via the vent.

Cutting a hole large enough to be able to work through may seem simple but a couple of points to bear in mind

1. you will be drilling/cutting blind in a confined space so not knowing what there is behind that you may also drill could result in a bigger problem to fix than you already have
2  if behind the "white board" is the fridge or other vent to the outside not only are you going to have a nice hole that the cold air can blow through you may be leaving yourself open to fumes from the gas appliances unless you silicon seal the hole
up with a patch.

Carver
I have replaced a tap on a Topaz by going through the fridge vents. A motorhome technician told me than this access is almost always a successful route.....after I had done it !
Don't be afraid to cut the supply pipes if you cannot get sufficient access to separate from the tap tails. They are easily reconnected using "push-fit straight connectors". Make the cuts in a position that gives you two-handed access. 
Keith

Thanks for your replies.  Ill be going in via the vents................

Regards
Carver

Quick update..........

Having removed one of the fridge vents, I can see that it is not possible to access the base of the tap as there is a vertical partition right up to the underside of the work surface.
So it looks like going back to plan A and cutting through the back of the cabinet.

Ill take some photos as I go for future reference.