Can't Remove Water Separating Filter!

[iBrent]

As the subject says, for the life of my I cannot remove the water separating filter. I have tried 3 different oil-filter removing wrenches. It seems they are just destroying the can and bending the bracket it's attached to. This will be the first time the filter is removed on my '09 Mercruiser 4.3L MPI (120hrs).

I'm thinking at this point all I can do is remove the bracket and disconnect the fuel lines. Then take it to a bench vise to remove the filter. So my question is this:

When I disconnect the fuel line coming from the fuel tank...how much fuel is going to spill? Please correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe the fuel pump is on the tank and as long as power is off, the only fuel that will spill will be the fuel inside the line from the tank to the filter. Not the entire tank, right? Is there a way to drain the fuel from that line before moving it? For example, when I had to remove the fuel rail on a car I just removed the fuse to the fuel pump and cranked the motor for a few seconds. Is there a fuse for the fuel pump on the boat that I can do something similar?

Thanks everyone in advance. I've already almost destroyed the can on this filter so it needs to come out before I can use the boat again.

 

[Don S]

Re: Can't Remove Water Separating Filter!

Mercruiser does not use fuel pumps in the fuel tanks. That's an automotive thing. when you disconnect the lines. Plug them with a 3/8 bolt, problem cured.
Once you get it all put back together, put some oil (not grease) on the filter gasket and screw it on hand tight, not super human, two hand hand tight, just snug it up good. Then you won't have problems of it sticking on like that next time.

 

[searay3]

Re: Can't Remove Water Separating Filter!

Pound a screw driver through the center from the side. Try to grab as much material inside the can as you can and twist it off. Done it many times. If that fails, take it to the bench...as mentioned, oil the rubber gasket, 3/4 turn after the gasket makes contact with the filter adapter, by hand.

 

[dingdongs]

Re: Can't Remove Water Separating Filter!

may be quickest and easiest to remove the complete housing..maybe the p.o never put any oil on the seal and now its being awkward.it will definitly be easier on your workbench if you have one.

 

[iBrent]

Re: Can't Remove Water Separating Filter!

may be quickest and easiest to remove the complete housing..maybe the p.o never put any oil on the seal and now its being awkward.it will definitly be easier on your workbench if you have one.

Thanks for all the suggestions. This is the first time this filter is being removed from an 09 motor. I bought it brand new so this is how it came from the factory.

It appears the fuel line goes into a pipe fitting which is then screwed into the filter bracket. Using the 3/8ths bolt as a plug, would I remove the line from the fitting or unscrew the pipe fitting?

And since there's no pump in the tank, if the plug were to unseat itself at some point would the tank literally empty itself in my bilge?

 

[LilRedNeckGirl]

Re: Can't Remove Water Separating Filter!

Firtst, your working with gasoline, so first step, DISCONNECT THE BATTERY & REMOVE FROM BOAT. Have fire extinguisher handy. then remove fuel lines the rubber ones, and plug them, mop up any spills with rags & dis-guard. then install a NEW bracket housing with filter. they sell for under $20.00 here on IBoats store and it solves the issue you mentioned where you started bending the cast bracket.

 

[fuzzybob]

Re: Can't Remove Water Separating Filter!

It's sometimes easy to try and turn the wrong way when you're looking down on something from above.

 

[dramaminedragon]

Re: Can't Remove Water Separating Filter!

A little to late now, but a strip of rubber inside the filter wrench works wonders.

 

[zx9rstv]

Re: Can't Remove Water Separating Filter!

I had the same thing happen to me on an inline filter after the tank. I wrenched on that thing with the filter wrench for the life of me I couldn't loosen it. Ended up pulling it off the bracket, taking the fuel lines off. then putting it in a vice. Still no go. Then after beginning to pound a long screw driver through it. I had an epiphany. I noticed a bolt on the top of the filter. I thought to myself. NOOOOO.. That's not it. Sure enough. loosened the bold. Filter popped right off. It was actually just the housing. The filter element was on the inside. This after I ruined the housing and had to shell out 40 bucks for a new twist on type filter and housing.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Can't Remove Water Separating Filter!

As the subject says, for the life of my I cannot remove the water separating filter. I have tried 3 different oil-filter removing wrenches. It seems they are just destroying the can and bending the bracket it's attached to. This will be the first time the filter is removed on my '09 Mercruiser 4.3L MPI (120hrs).

I'm thinking at this point all I can do is remove the bracket and disconnect the fuel lines. Then take it to a bench vise to remove the filter. So my question is this:

When I disconnect the fuel line coming from the fuel tank...how much fuel is going to spill? Please correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe the fuel pump is on the tank and as long as power is off, the only fuel that will spill will be the fuel inside the line from the tank to the filter. Not the entire tank, right? Is there a way to drain the fuel from that line before moving it? For example, when I had to remove the fuel rail on a car I just removed the fuse to the fuel pump and cranked the motor for a few seconds. Is there a fuse for the fuel pump on the boat that I can do something similar?

Thanks everyone in advance. I've already almost destroyed the can on this filter so it needs to come out before I can use the boat again.

Ayuh,... Are ya turning it the Right way,..??

 

[jmarty10]

Re: Can't Remove Water Separating Filter!

Same thing I was thinking Bond-O. If youre looking down at the filter, which you probably are, that means you have to turn youre filter wrench to the right. Keep the wrench handle at 12 o'clock and turn it to 1 oclock. I had the same problem. Dont take everything apart for a friggin filter. Just make sure youre wrenching it the correct way. It will come off.

 

[iBrent]

Re: Can't Remove Water Separating Filter!

Same thing I was thinking Bond-O. If youre looking down at the filter, which you probably are, that means you have to turn youre filter wrench to the right. Keep the wrench handle at 12 o'clock and turn it to 1 oclock. I had the same problem. Dont take everything apart for a friggin filter. Just make sure youre wrenching it the correct way. It will come off.

^^^^ This is the way I'm turning it. I have the new filter right next to me and I am looking at the threads and visualizing which direction it needs to turn in order to remove it. I am turning in the correct direction.

 

[Don S]

Re: Can't Remove Water Separating Filter!

.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Can't Remove Water Separating Filter!

Hmmm,...Nice graphic,...

 

[joncrisler]

Re: Can't Remove Water Separating Filter!

Don- great graphic- no confusing it now. I wonder if he has some sort of aftermarket filter like a Racor or something with an internal replacable element? Perhaps a pic of the currently mounted filter would help.

 

[Don S]

Re: Can't Remove Water Separating Filter!

I wonder if he has some sort of aftermarket filter like a Racor or something with an internal replacable element?

They all turn the same direction.

 

[Pete104]

Re: Can't Remove Water Separating Filter!

Go BUY a new one for Chri$t sake!!!

 

[littlebookworm]

Re: Can't Remove Water Separating Filter!

Brent: The advice you've gotten on how to remove the filter should help you do it. Now promise yourself that you will read and follow the maintenance squedule which came with your boat. If you don't have one, download one. That filter should be changed every season. There are also other items which should be lubricated or changed at regular intervals. Don't ignore them for your own safety and the safety of those who boat with you. Hy

 

[StevNimrod]

Re: Can't Remove Water Separating Filter!

If you want to get it off without buying a new bracket (just went through this):

Don't use a strap type wrench. You'd be applying your force on the outside of the filter so part of the force is being used to bend the bracket.

Use a cap/cup style wrench so the net force can be applied to the center of the filter. The trick (or physics, really) is how you orient your breaker bar (if you have room; you can put a more torque on the filter with less hand force and use the rest of your energy stabilizing the rig) . If you're torquing from the front (i.e. breaker is parallel to, or a continuation of, the bracket if you're looking down from above), you'll be losing force bending the bracket (it bends about the bolts that secure it).

But if you rotate your bar 90 degrees (so that it's perpendicular to the bracket) you won't be losing much force at all in bracket bending, which will leave more applied torque to the filter and it should loosen.

That might be hard to follow, so if you need it I can draw a pic and post it. You can buy a new bracket cheap, or you can beat it so you can say you did and file something in your drawer of tricks.

 

[Randy J]

Re: Can't Remove Water Separating Filter!

get a big size slip joint plier and at top edge rim grip then turn been there done that but jamming a screw driver into can just rips it in half