Fuel/Water Seperator

wildemike

Cadet
Joined
Oct 15, 2009
Messages
24
I have a 2002 4.3 merc engine does everyone have trouble unscrewiing this beast to change it??
 

Bondo

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Apr 17, 2002
Messages
71,162
Re: Fuel/Water Seperator

Ayuh,.... With a reasonable Quality filter wrench,+ turning it the Right way,....
Nope....

It's Lefty, Loosey,... But you're lookin' at it upside-down....
Turn it to the Right.....;)
 

rainman240cs

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Nov 25, 2008
Messages
33
Re: Fuel/Water Seperator

yep, its a pain in the a**! I had to buy a ratchet type filter wrench to get some good torque on her.
 

dubs283

Vice Admiral
Joined
Jul 27, 2005
Messages
5,337
Re: Fuel/Water Seperator

be sure to apply some oil to the rubber seal before installing the new one other wise you will experience the same problem

you will swear a gorilla installed it
 

havasuboatman

Ensign
Joined
Mar 5, 2009
Messages
904
Re: Fuel/Water Seperator

And don't crank it on so tight when you put it on. It takes about 200 psi to blow out that gasket. Put it on just like an oil filter. Contact then just 1/4 turn extra.
 

rkilpa

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Oct 16, 2009
Messages
86
Re: Fuel/Water Seperator

Also, be sure to fill the filter with fuel before re-installing. The filter instructions and service manual don't mention this. Maybe it's supposed to be common knowledge, but I didn't know. I eventually took off the newly installed filter after the engine stalled after starting and it was bone dry. After filling it and starting again.....problem fixed.
 
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