Fuel Filter Removal Difficulties

[CaspersCruiser]

To prepare my boat for winter storage, I changed the fuel filters on the Yanmar 4BY2-180 in my 2012 R27. The ones I removed were installed by a well-known and experienced shop in business for decades. Unfortunately, the technician way over tightened the filters and they were ridiculously difficult to get off.

The primary fuel/water separating filter eventually broke loose using a standard metal band filter wrench, but I was quite concerned that the torque I was applying to the filter was going strip out the screws holding the entire filter assembly to the side of the engine compartment.

The secondary filter was another matter entirely. The filter would not budge using the strap wrench I’ve used in the past to remove that filter. I had to find another tool.

Most readily available metal band filter wrenches have a maximum diameter that’s too small to fit the secondary filter’s 4 1/4” diameter. That’s why I used a strap wrench— it would fit around the filter. I did a “removing fuel filter” search on Tugnuts and eventually came up with mention of the Gearwrench 3 3/4” to 4 1/2” Heavy Duty Filter Wrench:

https://www.amazon.com/KD-2320-Heavy-Du ... B0002SR56W

I ordered one and went to work on the secondary filter using a 1/2” socket wrench and extension. No joy. The filter wouldn’t budge. For extra leverage, I used a breaker bar. That extra torque caused the wrench to slip on the filter. To keep the wrench from slipping, I put a strip of Skid Guard Safety Tape on the filter to give the wrench something to bite into. That worked. With maximum effort, the filter turned VERY slowly for one full turn, but it did come off. That filter was on there just stupid tight.

I hope the post title will make it appear in searches for folks dealing with removing fuel filters. The filter wrench mentioned here is worth the money and the techniques involved worked for me.

 

[glider4]

Thanks for the post. I’m going to start doing my own fuel and oil filter replacements going forward. That way I will only have myself to blame if they are too tight!

 

[jroffel]

Just a heads up - when installing new fuel filters, lubricate the seals with clean engine oil and hand tighten. It sure sounds like these were tightened with a filter wrench when they were installed.

Jack

 

[CaspersCruiser]

As anyone who has seen me turn a wrench will tell you, I'm no mechanic even though I own enough tools to launch a Space Shuttle. Do I work on my stuff? Yes, because I get so tired of paying people to screw it up.

What I've learned about filters from respected mechanics is to hand tighten and then no more than a 1/2 turn past that using tools. Many filters have that printed on the side. More is not better!

 

[GaylesFaerie]

...Gearwrench 3 3/4” to 4 1/2” Heavy Duty Filter Wrench...

Yup, had the same problem a couple of years ago replacing my filters and got the exact same metal band filter wrench. Works well, but my removing my filters didn't require the extra measures yours did. Good ideas, though.

 

[zekeandboone]

Pacific Power did my first service under warranty. He used this wrench. So I bought one. Works great in tight spots.
https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/SER773149

 

[Cutwater28GG]

one thing thats a challenge on the volvo d4 engines is the hose near the oil filters makes it very difficult to tighten the filters by hand as the filter binds on the hose. which if you don't use a wrench to install means the filter is 3 or 4 turns too loose and you have an oil leak on your hands.
it also makes the removal very difficult. I end up using two filter wrenches s at the same time to remove the filter. one of the top and and bottom to get the leverage without tearing the filter. its a pain in the a$$

 

[PanaSeaAh]

https://www.harborfreight.com/search?q= ... p%20wrench
I have had good luck with these, and they will grip even with fuel on them. Absolutely have to oil the gaskets. Also have to watch that the old gaskets come off with the used filter.