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Author Topic:   Reluctant Fuel Filter

sheikofthesea posted 07-10-2012 02:29 PM ET (US)
I am trying to change an external fuel filter with a strap wrench, and I couldn't make it budge. I added a strip of rubber to get more grip, and I couldn't move it. So I stabbed a screwdriver through it and thought I could use the [unclear acronym, perhaps meant the screwdriver] for leverage. But I just ended up ripping through more of the casing and not breaking the seal. Please help. What do I do with a ripped up fuel flter that is still not dislodged?
fishgutz posted 07-10-2012 03:53 PM ET (US)
Spray some "Mercury Power Tune Engine Cleaner" around the top of the filter. Let it sit for a while. It has to have time to seep into and between parts. That should loosen it up. My Merc mechanic gave me some to loosen the fill hose on my boat. It worked great. I think it is a solvent and feels a bit oily. Worth a try.
Teak Oil posted 07-10-2012 04:46 PM ET (US)
If you stab it in the middle of the filter it will just rip more, but if you punch a hole in it at the bottom where the filter is strongest it should have enough meat to let you get the filter turning.
A giant pipe wrench might work also.
If that does not work get a torch and a big sledge. They wont get the filter off but you can take your frustrations out on something else, like the wife's car
Tom Hemphill posted 07-10-2012 05:53 PM ET (US)

quote:
If that does not work get a torch...

That may well put an end to your fuel filter problems!
L H G posted 07-10-2012 06:33 PM ET (US)
Just install a whole new filter unit. They don't cost that much. If it's that frozen, the head piece is probably corroded anyway.
swist posted 07-11-2012 09:21 AM ET (US)
Or, it's not corrosion, but perhaps someone didn't heed the "hand-tighten only" recommendation with most filters, or the recommendation to rub the gasket with motor oil before installing it.
Tom Hemphill posted 07-12-2012 06:47 AM ET (US)
FRESH
jimh posted 07-12-2012 06:48 AM ET (US)
Disconnect the fuel lines and remove the filter and manifold from the boat. Install a new filter and manifold.
seahorse posted 07-12-2012 07:31 AM ET (US)
Use two strap wrenches faced 180 ° apart and push one one and pull on the other.
weekendwarrior posted 07-12-2012 11:31 AM ET (US)
It is a little late now, but sears sells a little filter wrench that is sliding clamp that grabs the filter. The harder you turn the tighter it grabs the filter. This is my very favorite filter wrench, it has never failed where there was enough room to use it.
weekendwarrior posted 07-12-2012 12:29 PM ET (US)
http://m.sears.com/productdetails.do?partNumber=02820519000P
Binkster posted 07-12-2012 12:50 PM ET (US)
A stainless fiter unit sell for under $40.
rich
contender posted 07-12-2012 01:31 PM ET (US)
Do it right... Either remover the filter assembly, and get a new one or place it upside down in a vise, use a punch and hammer to unscrew the remaining part of the filter. Next time put some grease on the gasket before screwing it on, and do not over tighten...

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Author	Topic: Reluctant Fuel Filter
sheikofthesea	posted 07-10-2012 02:29 PM ET (US) I am trying to change an external fuel filter with a strap wrench, and I couldn't make it budge. I added a strip of rubber to get more grip, and I couldn't move it. So I stabbed a screwdriver through it and thought I could use the [unclear acronym, perhaps meant the screwdriver] for leverage. But I just ended up ripping through more of the casing and not breaking the seal. Please help. What do I do with a ripped up fuel flter that is still not dislodged?
fishgutz	posted 07-10-2012 03:53 PM ET (US) Spray some "Mercury Power Tune Engine Cleaner" around the top of the filter. Let it sit for a while. It has to have time to seep into and between parts. That should loosen it up. My Merc mechanic gave me some to loosen the fill hose on my boat. It worked great. I think it is a solvent and feels a bit oily. Worth a try.
Teak Oil	posted 07-10-2012 04:46 PM ET (US) If you stab it in the middle of the filter it will just rip more, but if you punch a hole in it at the bottom where the filter is strongest it should have enough meat to let you get the filter turning. A giant pipe wrench might work also. If that does not work get a torch and a big sledge. They wont get the filter off but you can take your frustrations out on something else, like the wife's car
Tom Hemphill	posted 07-10-2012 05:53 PM ET (US) quote: If that does not work get a torch... That may well put an end to your fuel filter problems!
L H G	posted 07-10-2012 06:33 PM ET (US) Just install a whole new filter unit. They don't cost that much. If it's that frozen, the head piece is probably corroded anyway.
swist	posted 07-11-2012 09:21 AM ET (US) Or, it's not corrosion, but perhaps someone didn't heed the "hand-tighten only" recommendation with most filters, or the recommendation to rub the gasket with motor oil before installing it.
Tom Hemphill	posted 07-12-2012 06:47 AM ET (US) FRESH
jimh	posted 07-12-2012 06:48 AM ET (US) Disconnect the fuel lines and remove the filter and manifold from the boat. Install a new filter and manifold.
seahorse	posted 07-12-2012 07:31 AM ET (US) Use two strap wrenches faced 180 ° apart and push one one and pull on the other.
weekendwarrior	posted 07-12-2012 11:31 AM ET (US) It is a little late now, but sears sells a little filter wrench that is sliding clamp that grabs the filter. The harder you turn the tighter it grabs the filter. This is my very favorite filter wrench, it has never failed where there was enough room to use it.
weekendwarrior	posted 07-12-2012 12:29 PM ET (US) http://m.sears.com/productdetails.do?partNumber=02820519000P
Binkster	posted 07-12-2012 12:50 PM ET (US) A stainless fiter unit sell for under $40. rich
contender	posted 07-12-2012 01:31 PM ET (US) Do it right... Either remover the filter assembly, and get a new one or place it upside down in a vise, use a punch and hammer to unscrew the remaining part of the filter. Next time put some grease on the gasket before screwing it on, and do not over tighten...