VP D4 fuel/water separator filter

[trailertrawlerkismet]

I’m trying to change out the Volvo Penta Fuel water separator fuel filter that’s attached to the front port side of the VP D4 engine. After disconnecting the sensor I can not find a way to get the filter loose. The oil dip stick is in the way on one side and a fuel line hinders access for any loosening tool. What advice does anyone have that has first hand experience taking one off?

Thanks for your suggestion,

Jim

 

[Eric R]

I fought with mine too.. after trying about everything I was comfortable with, and many choice words, I gave up. My dealer was coming to do some small warranty work and I had them take it off for me.

Is this the first filter, by chance? Mine was, and I’m pretty sure it was basically painted into place, which is what made it so hard to remove. I’m not sure I want to see how my dealer did it. Couldn’t have been that pretty, but the new one is on now and easy to remove!



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[Shano]

I changed this filter on our last boat with a D4 a few times without issue tho it was a diiferent boat. I used a filter wrench (basically a band that goes around the filter and then tightens as you turn it) but maybe there is not enough room for this on your boat? I would be surprised if a filter wrench would not work. The band on the one type of filter wrench is very thin so it should fit. I cant remember which wrench I used as I have 2 of them but if you look up a Tekton 5868 or a Tekton 5866 one of them will work and they are not expensive (and good to have one the boat!).

 

[Cessna172]

I understand your struggle. Many have experienced similar difficulty.

To complete the first filter change on my D4 required removing the entire filter and mount and locking it in a large vise.
Then it required two people with two pliers-type filter tools top finally break it loose.

Hopefully future filter changes should be easier.

 

[Shano]

I have not come across a filter that was as tight as some have described but if it is about all you can try would be to put some penetrating oil on the lip (after trying to scrape away any paint) and tap the filter a few times to set up a vibration (to try to get the penetrating oil into the flange area. ANd then use the best fitting filter wrench you can find (I'm pretty sure that I used the band type oin our D4) and keep trying to loosen. You can try to tighten it a bit to break the seal. Other than that it sounds like removing the entire filter mount is the only other alternative. Brutal

 

[BB marine]

We have a D3 that had the same issue. First removal is hard. I spoke with a Volvo technician about the Volvo factory installation. He stated the filters are installed on the assembly line by a machine. He said that bulletins have been sent out to boat manufactures to inspect and loosen filters if needed. Possibly Ranger/Cutwater is not aware of the issue. I had to remove the filter mounting housing from the engine which required the removal of many components to properly access the torx screws used to bolt the housing in place. I then used a bench vise with extreme torque to loosen the filter. I have replaced the filter three times after this with no problem. The technician that I spoke to said he has been able to remove the filter with out removing the housing but it resulted in a diesel fuel mess. The D3 has a much smaller filter then D4 and it is tight quarters to get to. I think the D4 may be slightly easier. Good luck in your removal process.



The last picture shows that the filter was installed so tight there is evidence of galling to the surface of the filter housing.

 

[Wee Venture]

So, I have to say that this seems pretty inexcusable on the part of Volvo Penta. The first time I saw a thread on this same issue was November of last year. So it is not a one and done problem fixed by the factory when first discovered. I have a fairly new R-31 built at the same time as Jim’s, the OP, and have not had the fuel/water separator filter off yet. We are leaving within a day or two to go to the Broughton Islands which has some fairly remote areas. I’ll be carrying a spare filter but if I get water in the fuel, I won’t have access to a vise and facilities to take extraordinary measures, and shouldn’t have to. Sending out a technical bulletin should not be a substitute for fixing the problem at the source imo.

John B

 

[Admiral S]

On our 2017 R-27 (Engine manufactured late 2016) we were able to get the filter off without needing to remove the housing.

I had to remove the cover, the metal plate that houses some modules, and take the racor filter out of the bracket. Then my father and I, each with our own filter wrench gave it everything we had. On the 4th attempt of "everything we had" it finally broke loose. New one got snugged per Volvo's service manual. Should hopefully come apart easily the end of this season.

 

[TBates]

Hello,

As someone who has removed many of these filters, I completely understand the frustration. I’ve had success with a standard filter wrench on the D4/D6’s, but the D3’s seem to be a bit more difficult. Once we at Ranger Tugs/Cutwater Boat’s discovered the issue we started breaking the filters free at the time of commissioning the engines, which should hopefully help.

The best investment I’ve made was a filter wrench ordered from Amazon that allows you to use a ratchet wrench and an extension to get some extra leverage. The wrench I use can be purchased at: https://www.amazon.com/GearWrench-2...pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=filter+wrench

On the D4/D6 you can also move the dipstick out of the way by removing the single fastener next to the top of the dipstick.

Thank you,

-Tim

 

[Wee Venture]

Thanks Tim! I just ordered it from Amazon with one day shipping. Hopefully that will do the trick if/when needed.

John B

 

[trailertrawlerkismet]

Thanks everyone for your thoughts and advice. I too ordered the filter wrench Tim suggested. The wider band and better leverage this wrench offers should work significantly better then the other 2 filter wrenches I have as well as reduce my frustration level.

Jim

 

[aculverwell]

I too ordered the heavy duty filter wrench via the Amazon link above, but the wrench was far too large for the D4 Fuel/Water filter. I ended up purchasing several other cheap wrenches from an auto parts store-- of various sizes-- and the only one that fit was the 3 1/4 - 3 7/8 inch model. Tim, is there a different/smaller wrench that you use on the D4?

Unfortunately, I ended up (like others) removing the whole filter assembly and using a bench vice and brute force. Oh, and there was swearing involved.

 

[Wee Venture]

Hmmm.... I ordered that wrench just before going cruising and then just foolishly tossed it into the spare parts locker with the filters without checking to see if it fits. And now I am in Pender Harbor, almost to Desolation Sound. If too large, wonder if I could put some sort of shim under the strap...like tough rubber or maybe sheet metal flashing wrapped around a few times. Tim, if you’re reading this, I would like to know too if you can verify which wrench it is that works for you...?

John B

 

[trailertrawlerkismet]

I ordered one and on our D4 it fits. On our R29S I unscrewed the oil dip stick brace, unclipped the sensor at the bottom of the filter and realigned one fuel line clamp to gain better access. The wrench does not go straight on, I found I had to bring it up onto the filter st a slight angle, straighten it out and slide the band up. It is a tight fit but I was able to make it fit and get a great grip.

Jim

 

[Cessna172]

Yea, the band on the filter wrench gets a lot smaller when its cranked counter-clockwise.

 

[aculverwell]

My own experience is that the wrench (the 4 1/2 - 5 1/4 inch model as ordered directly from the Amazon link) is too large and not usable. I also removed the entire filter assembly from the boat and had unimpeded access to the filter-- but even when I cranked the wrench & cinched it to its smallest size it was too big by a large margin. I confirmed this by purchasing several other filter wrenches. The only one that worked was the 3 1/4 - 3 3/4 inch model. Unless my D4-300 has a different size filter there is no way that the wrench would work.