Welp,

this past fall I could not get the fuel filter off so she went to bed with some extra elixir through it and the old fuel filter. Needs to get changed now.

I got it to actually spin at the crimp which isn't good. Not leaking, but obviously an issue.

Up to now, most of this has been with a strap wrench and while still on the boat.

I'm thinking I'll need to pull the fuel pump module that has the filter on it. Doesn't look too rough. A couple plugs, 2 bolts, 2 high pressure lines and some low pressure stuff including cooling.

But, once I get it off, then what? I'm hoping to not have to open it up because of the mess and the fire danger. That will be a last resort and I'll have to buy a small spanner to go inside and engage the drain holes after cutting the bottom off.

I lubricate my o-rings, but something got unhappy.

Ideas, suggestions, etc? Don't want to cause a fire so want to be prudent.

Took the whole unit off today. Maybe I ought to send it out for a rebuild while it's off. But, it's boating season and the season is going to be stupid short this year.

How hard was it to remove?

How hard was it to remove?

The unit wasn't too bad. 4 bolts hold the unit on. They were a little hard to turn. Either corrosion or perhaps a thread locker used to ensure they don't back out.

There are two water lines for cooling, the fuel inlet, two high pressure lines and one other line which I assume is low pressure fuel or perhaps another water line.

The high pressure lines came free fine. One was still under pressure so it made a bit of a mess when I got the tube to come free. That was a bummer as I don't like fuel spills and the associated smell. No fire risk as there are no spark sources there.

One of the water lines comes off easy. The fuel inlet is always a bit of a bear. I've contemplated switching it to an AN fitting as I have to remove it every year to winterize. The one coming out of the top of the filter was the most challenging. I could get it to spin, but couldn't get it to come off. Almost to the point of cutting it I got a pick underneath it and was able to get it off.

Overall, not too bad. Today, I'll work on the fuel filter itself. Plan is to screw it to a board and mount it in the vice and see what I can do.

Good luck

Well, got it off using a chisel on the sealing ring. Got it to move about 1/2" and then was able to go from there.

Good news on winning the battle.

Remember having similar battle with stuck oil filter & ending up using big channelocks to break loose.

Nice, your custom chisel version of an impact driver!