MP Fuel filter removal help

[Matt Garcia]

I tried removing the fuel filter canister this weekend and it was extremely difficult to budge. So much that I couldn't get it to turn so I wanted to make sure I was doing it correctly before I broke something.

I was able to remove the bottom bolt and the cap/cooler lines that are attached to the bottom. You can see this in the first pic.

I assume the filter canister is screwed in? Is there something that needs to be removed? I tried gripping it and twisting and nothing seemed to work. I may try an oil filter wrench and see if that works. Any help is appreciated.

[brett22i]

I have tried as well with 2 types of filter wrenches, no luck either. I felt like I was going break an engine mount before I got that can to spin?

[Matt Garcia]

I have tried as well with 2 types of filter wrenches, no luck either. I felt like I was going break an engine mount before I got that can to spin?

Well I am glad I am not the only one that feels that way. I can usually muscle anything off but this one has been challenging.

[22veguy]

Your on the right track. Once the bottom plate is off, the lower portion of the housing should spin off. I use a cheap strap wrench from Harbour Freight, but it has always been tight. Usually seems like I'm going to break the bracket that it mounts to before it comes loose.

[scoot18]

Matt,

I'm fresh off of a fuel filter replacement and I couldn't get the housing to loosen and spin off either. So I disconnected all of the lines and un-bolted the whole unit and removed from the engine bay, took to my shed and put it in a vice. Was then able to get the housing to spin off rather easily. I'm so glad I gave up on wrestling with it in the boat. I could of easily spent and hour or more trying to devise a plan that would get it off and probably broke something. Some of the bolts are a little tricky to get to, but once it's out of the boat, it's so easy to work with. Next time I replace the filter I'm gonna do it the same way, take the whole thing out. I did put some plumbers silcone grease on the o-ring to make the next removal easier, but I'm not holding my breath.

Good luck

[whitlock87]

Your on the right track. Once the bottom plate is off, the lower portion of the housing should spin off. I use a cheap strap wrench from Harbour Freight, but it has always been tight. Usually seems like I'm going to break the bracket that it mounts to before it comes loose.

X2

[gman]

This problem was discussed some time ago and everyone seems to have a very hard time with it. I was told not to touch it so its been on the boat for 5 years. I really think it needs replacement myself. Is there someone who has modified the system and uses another product/design so that it can be easily changed?

[mtnsmith]

I second the strap wrench, it works, just a real pita. Marine Power needs to fire the gorilla they have putting those things on so we can break them loose without killing ourselves.

[Grebva3]

I ended up using a LONG extension With a ratchet on the strap wrench and it broke it free. I also had my neighbor to place pressure against fuel filter mount bc of all the pressure being applied. I was sure something was going to break off.