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Topic: Cutting off fuel filter... (Read 689 times) previous topic - next topic

Cutting off fuel filter...

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.
Eric & Ashley (& toddler M)
Houston, Texas
2002 U295 3620 PBDS - Build 6027 -SOLD
2008 Lexus GX470 Dinghy -SOLD
Now full-timing in a SOB 5th wheel!!!
More at: http://instagram.com/weventuretogether

Re: Cutting off fuel filter...

Reply #1 –
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
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: Cutting off fuel filter...

Reply #2 –
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.               
Ted & Karen
2001 U270 36' - sold after 12 years full timing

Re: Cutting off fuel filter...

Reply #3 –
Quote from: Pierce & Gaylie Stewart –
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

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!
Eric & Ashley (& toddler M)
Houston, Texas
2002 U295 3620 PBDS - Build 6027 -SOLD
2008 Lexus GX470 Dinghy -SOLD
Now full-timing in a SOB 5th wheel!!!
More at: http://instagram.com/weventuretogether

Re: Cutting off fuel filter...

Reply #4 –
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.
Eric & Ashley (& toddler M)
Houston, Texas
2002 U295 3620 PBDS - Build 6027 -SOLD
2008 Lexus GX470 Dinghy -SOLD
Now full-timing in a SOB 5th wheel!!!
More at: http://instagram.com/weventuretogether

Re: Cutting off fuel filter...

Reply #5 –
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.
96 U270 BUILD 4810
85 380SL
Drummonds TN.

Re: Cutting off fuel filter...

Reply #7 –
And make sure they put some fresh oil on the rubber gasket and the threads before installing.
Nitehawk,  Demolition Lady, & our NEW master, Zippy the speeding BB cat.
1989 Grand Villa 36' ORED
Oshkosh chassis, 8.2 DD V8
2006 Saturn Vue AWD

Re: Cutting off fuel filter...

Reply #8 –
To reply number 6,Cat has one of those that they sell,have used it for years,works great.
96 U270 BUILD 4810
85 380SL
Drummonds TN.

Re: Cutting off fuel filter...

Reply #9 –
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 .
2014 ih45  (4th Foretravel owned)
 1997 36' U295 Sold in 2020, owned for 19 years
  U240 36' Sold to insurance company after melting in garage fire
    33' Foretravel on Dodge Chassis  Sold very long time ago

Re: Cutting off fuel filter...

Reply #10 –
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.
95 U300SE

Re: Cutting off fuel filter...

Reply #11 –
Quote from: Travelin' Man –
Did they try one of these?
I don't think so, but thanks for the recommendation! I will get one of those!
Eric & Ashley (& toddler M)
Houston, Texas
2002 U295 3620 PBDS - Build 6027 -SOLD
2008 Lexus GX470 Dinghy -SOLD
Now full-timing in a SOB 5th wheel!!!
More at: http://instagram.com/weventuretogether

Re: Cutting off fuel filter...

Reply #12 –
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.
Eric & Ashley (& toddler M)
Houston, Texas
2002 U295 3620 PBDS - Build 6027 -SOLD
2008 Lexus GX470 Dinghy -SOLD
Now full-timing in a SOB 5th wheel!!!
More at: http://instagram.com/weventuretogether

Re: Cutting off fuel filter...

Reply #13 –
Shop did look pretty clean,they even had matching uniforms!!!
96 U270 BUILD 4810
85 380SL
Drummonds TN.

Re: Cutting off fuel filter...

Reply #14 –
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.
David Bethard
2003 U320 - 40ft. Build #6159
ISM 500hp
2006 Jeep Liberty CRD
2021 Honda Goldwing DCT