Can't remove fuel-water separator --- 2017 R29

M

Mastercraft

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 4, 2020
Messages
359
Fluid Motion Model
R-29 S
I can't remove the fuel-water separator on a 2017 R29 Volvo 300 hp D4. I put a metal oil filter wrench on it.
Wrench Pennzoil # 19431 ---- fits 3.5" - 3.875" dia (next large Pennzoil wrench is too sloppy)
It fits well without slipping. Any more force, I will crush filter.
Old filter looks like new. No corrosion.
I am assuming it has right hand threads. New filter looks like right hand threads
SInce the filter is upside down, I am turning the wrench clockwise while I am looking down on filter.
Volvo part # 21718912
ANY ADVICE????
 
This may or may not help but it’s worth a thought. Volvo filters are, from the factory, notorious for being on tight when new. I’m sure this is not the case for you since one assumes an annual change. When ours was new I got a Volvo tech to do the first service and recorded the process so I could DIY in future. When it got to that filter we actually had two techs with two wrenches trying to remove it. Their next thought was to punch a hole through the filter and put a bar all the way through. My own experience was that this often simply tears the filter shell. I remembered 55 years ago, as an apprentice marine Engineer learning to remove tight items with a chisel. (We learned a lot of useful stuff because there’s no calling a service tech in the middle of the Atlantic). We practiced on rounded off nuts and, yes, filters. The idea is to get a chisel that is blunt but with enough edge to engage the rolled lip at the top of the filter. You have to aim for tangential force without simply cutting off the lip. It worked in my case.
 
Remember that the filter ( I assume on the Volvo) is actually upside down so if you are looking down, to loosen you would turn the wrench handle to the right, not the left.
 
I am turning wrench to right when looking down.
I thought of two wrenches, yet did not think of two mechanics turning wrenches. That's $250 an hour to remove a filter. Hopefully, I can do it myself with no chisels and no punched holes.
 
Yea, those are notoriously difficult to remove. I struggled with mine for hours to no avail.

Ended up removing the entire filter mounting bracket and taking it to a large vise. It took two men with handle extensions on two chain filter wrenches to break it loose.

The good news is that once initially loosened the replacement filters are much, much easier to remove.
 
The best solution I have found is the following:

- Wrap the filter with friction tape so the wrench doesn’t slip.
- use a metal strap wrench that fits without putting too much pressure at the hinge. The hinge is where it will crush.
- use a heavy rubber band around the hinge points to keep the strap from falling off when you release pressure.
- use a filter strap wrench that fits a standard socket wrench. (No integrated handle).
- use a long extension from the wrench to the filter strap. Long enough to extend above the engine so you can get good leverage over the centerline of the filter from above.
- use a socket wrench with a long handle

Working from above put even pressure on the wrench in a clockwise direction. I have found if the filter was put on way too tight and the rubber gasket is compressed significantly it may take several full turns to turn freely. The first time I removed mine it took nearly a half hour of turning the filter a quarter inch at a time! Tighten the new filter only by hand per the instructions on the filter (I believe it shows 3/4 turn).

I hope this works for you!

Curt
 
the Gearwrench is exactly what I ordered two days ago. I ordered two of them from eBay since Amazon is out of stock.
 
As mentioed the gearwrench is the call. However, when installing the new filter coat the ruber seal with a mall amout of grease. Works wonders the next time. I do this with all filters marine or auto. A little trick I learned back in the 60's.
 
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