At a truck oil change place now. Oil has already been changed (before today) but I'm having the fuel filters done and a few other things checked.
Side fuel filter (by chassis batteries) came off just fine and replaced with a new one that has a clear bowl.
Engine block fuel filter is turning out to be a huge problem for these guys - they have been working on it for over an hour now, tried unscrewing it through all methods they know. I also mentioned to them the "pierce with screwdriver and use as a lever" method. Now they are breaking out the cutting tools.. wish us luck! I'll post an update when they're done.
I just changed oil and have a lot of photos but in June Lake now so will post photos later. OK, the oil filter has pictures on the side of the photos on just how to install it. It installs with only 3/4 of a turn. The quarter marks are on the side of the filter. To remove easily, puncture the bottom of the filter with a punch. It will drain into a container in about 3 minutes or so. When you unscrew the filter, oil won't run down the sides. If you installed with 3/4 of a turn, a strap wrench will easily unscrew without getting oil all over everything.
Filters never go on with more than 3/4 of a turn! Never!
Pierce
Eric- last time my secondary filter was stuck I had a guy pushing the filter wrench from on top of the engine ( towards rear of coach) while I pulled the using a crowbar with the curved end around the handle. Between the 2 of us we finally got it, using the extra leverage ( and weight) on the long handle of the crowbar.
Good luck with yours- I feel your pain.
Sorry Pierce I had a typo in my original post (corrected now). It's actually the engine block Fuel filter that's giving us grief!
Here is a picture of everyone working on this (attached).
They cut off the bottom of the fiter, and are reaching up through it to "pull the threads". They say they've used this technique with a heavy truck before. (but of course in that case had easier access)
I was initially concerned about debris getting into the fuel system but they assured me that wouldn't happen.
Don't have the M-11 but if this filter is a car oil filter size would'nt a filter wrench work or a big pair of channel locks?When they install
it make sure they HAND TIGHTEN it.That's one reason some of us change these ourselves,what if you had to change it on the side
of the road after one of these neanderthals tightened it with a 36" pipe wrench.
Did they try one of these?
And make sure they put some fresh oil on the rubber gasket and the threads before installing.
To reply number 6,Cat has one of those that they sell,have used it for years,works great.
Sometimes you have filter that does not want to come off, you will crush the filter while trying to get it loose. I have a strap like Traveling has and have never had a problem getting a filter off since buying the strap. That was the only tool I could use to get the fuel filter loose from the 2001 Chev Duramax .
Ive been using Dow Molykote 111 lubricant on fuel filter gaskets. Diesel fuel doesnt melt it and it makes removal easy, even years later. A tube is cheap.
The issue ive seen is if you use engine oil to lube the gasket then diesel fuel gets on, it thins the oil and washes it away.
I don't think so, but thanks for the recommendation! I will get one of those!
Okay, here is the conclusion to this saga:
They had to take off the entire fuel filter assembly!
It wasn't actually that bad, once we raised the bed, put out the bedroom slide and could reach down into the bay - 2 hoses and 4 bolts.
Once the assembly was out, they got the (now destroyed) fuel filter off, reinstalled the assembly, then installed a new filter (they greased the new filter and did not over tighten this one!
The old assembly did have some tool marks on it from their repeated attempts to remove the old filter, but they cleaned those up and made sure the entire part was clean before re-installation, so no debris would get into the fuel lines.
I do have a full "two thumbs up" recommendation for this shop - BLine lube in Katy TX (just west of Houston on I-10). They only do oil, fuel filters, and other common preventative maintenance items - lube, etc. They are not a full mechanic shop. But they have a great "can do" attitude at this shop, keep a clean shop floor, let you watch the work being done, etc. I will definitely return and recommend them if you need this kind of work in the area.
Shop did look pretty clean,they even had matching uniforms!!!
Thin film of Dow High Vacuum Grease on the rubber seal before mounting a filter and it'll be easy to remove. Available from Amazon. That was recommended for remote aircraft oil filters and it works. A tube will lasts a very long time. Never mount a filter with a dry gasket, engine oil doesn't work that well.