Next time take some small dia line, maybe 1/8" dia., and wrap it around the fuel filter as many times as you can, tightly. Now take the lazy end and put a loop in it and pull. You just made your own filter wrench and won't have oil in the bilge.. Done this many times when I have forgotten my filter wrench.
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Changing Fuel Filter- How not to do it
I am cruising the BC coast at the moment and while I am in a civilized spot decided to do some of the maintenance items.
My fuel tank has some rust in it so changing the fuel filter is a 3 month/ 500 miles (approximately) routine item.
The filter is relatively easy to get to, but I need to hug the engine.
So, I get a good grip and try to turn the cartridge. Darn, that thing is tight! With lots of effort I can turn the filter in small increments and in what seems 1/2 hour I manage a full turn. Should get easier, but it seems to get tighter.
That's the moment when it dawned on me to check the rotation. Sure thing, I was tightening instead of loosening
Getting the filter off did involve lots of grunting, bad language and a screw driver hammered through the cartridge.
While that was bad, it got worse.
I installed the new filter. To bleed the air I installed a squeeze fuel bulb in the supply line. Open the bleed screw on top of the filter housing and squeeze the bulb. I can hear the air escape for a while, then nothing. Still applying pressure with my left hand I use a wrench to open the bleed screw more and more.
Next thing was the screw flying off and diesel spraying from the opening in my face.
That was the worst of it.
Looking for the screw in the bilge was not too bad. I also found two Quarters, two hose clamps, screw driver bits and some gooey unidentifiable stuff.
Since I just did laundry, I was only wearing shorts and did not ruin any clothes.
I think, for the rest of the day I don't touch anything but a good book.
Neal
My fuel tank has some rust in it so changing the fuel filter is a 3 month/ 500 miles (approximately) routine item.
The filter is relatively easy to get to, but I need to hug the engine.
So, I get a good grip and try to turn the cartridge. Darn, that thing is tight! With lots of effort I can turn the filter in small increments and in what seems 1/2 hour I manage a full turn. Should get easier, but it seems to get tighter.
That's the moment when it dawned on me to check the rotation. Sure thing, I was tightening instead of loosening
Getting the filter off did involve lots of grunting, bad language and a screw driver hammered through the cartridge.
While that was bad, it got worse.
I installed the new filter. To bleed the air I installed a squeeze fuel bulb in the supply line. Open the bleed screw on top of the filter housing and squeeze the bulb. I can hear the air escape for a while, then nothing. Still applying pressure with my left hand I use a wrench to open the bleed screw more and more.
Next thing was the screw flying off and diesel spraying from the opening in my face.
That was the worst of it.
Looking for the screw in the bilge was not too bad. I also found two Quarters, two hose clamps, screw driver bits and some gooey unidentifiable stuff.
Since I just did laundry, I was only wearing shorts and did not ruin any clothes.
I think, for the rest of the day I don't touch anything but a good book.
Neal
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