R21 Pimary Fuel Filter Housing Racor 110A

[glthomas]

Mine is too tight from the factory and won't "spin" off using a strap wrench or large channel locks.
I have searched here and the internet for tips or video's but none available, so it must be a simple task. I am reluctant to remove it to a vice and the possibility of creating multiple air leaks on the hose connections.
It's a 2013 model Yanmar with a secondary filter on the engine.

Does the bottom bolt next to the drain plug need loosening first? This bolt is also too tight but I was able to loosen the top vent bolt by using a hammer to the combination wrench.
Posting in hopes that I'm overlooking and easy solution and thanks in advance.

 

[SGIDAVE]

Mine is too tight from the factory and won't "spin" off using a strap wrench or large channel locks.
I have searched here and the internet for tips or video's but none available, so it must be a simple task. I am reluctant to remove it to a vice and the possibility of creating multiple air leaks on the hose connections.
It's a 2013 model Yanmar with a secondary filter on the engine.

Does the bottom bolt next to the drain plug need loosening first? This bolt is also too tight but I was able to loosen the top vent bolt by using a hammer to the combination wrench.
Posting in hopes that I'm overlooking and easy solution and thanks in advance.

Hello GL,

This is what you are struggling with, right?

See the 'bolt' like thing (at 6 o'clock in the pic above) in the CENTER of the assembly at the bottom - NOT the silver drain bolt...put an appropriate size socket on there and you can turn the 'cup' loose using your 3/8 or 1/2" ratchet from the upper assembly that is attached to your boat. Since it is VERY tight, you will need to stabilize the upper part (where the hoses come and go) with your channel locks, etc. so you don't torque it off it's mounting.

You will find it DOES NOT need to be so blasted tight. There's not a lot of elbow room to get in there and swing a wrench, so it's a cussing job. Love that diesel smell 😉

dave

 

[baz]

This seems to be a common problem. On my late R-25's first 50 hr engine service the mechanic swore up and down trying to remove the filter. He was a seasoned Ranger Tug mechanic and said that the factory seems intent on over tightening the darn filter during assembly or that some sort of initial engine installation procedure is responsible for having it so tight... maybe no oil slick was applied to the rubber sealing gasket... dunno.

The filter does not need to be so tight for sure.

 

[glthomas]

I Had to remove the filter assembly and use a large pipe wrench to unscrew the housing.
All went well and I also filled the filter bowls with fresh fuel at reassembly. I used a Stainless Seasoning Injector through the vents. One cough on restart then back to normal. No fuel or air leaks so far.
Thanks for the info.

 

[Stevan47]

Hi GL: Concur with Dave and everyone else. I too found mine was very tight when I changed mine out. Once you have cleaned, replaced filter and refilled with fresh diesel and smeared the seal with lube oil, all it needs is a firm hand tighten and then nip up the centre securing nut/bolt so that it is tght, but not over-tight. You are right about the restricted space (arms and head will just not fit in all at once!) - although, having been a Stoker at sea in steam powered warships, I was used to squeezing into ridiculously small bilge spaces and behind machinery, so skinned knuckles, bruised foreheads and grazed arms were the norm. Best of luck anyway, mate. Steve

 

[Crewdog]

While able to use the center bolt to remove the filter bowl, the gasket was compressed so tight that I had to remove the housing from the bulkhead in order to remove the gasket.

Good thing, as the paint under the gasket had corroded and bubbled so that a really tight seal may be impossible.

Just ordered a new unit due to all around corrosion and peeling paint on the entire assembly.

Btw, also had to remove Yanmar fuel/water separator housing on port bulkhead in order to un-torque the air wrench assembly of the filter.