Best wrench to remove 5.0 water separator filter

[Lancerdad34]

I sure don't know why they had to locate so low when the oil filter is so easy to get too. My old oil filter wrench is slipping and rather that mess the old one up and leak fuel in the bilge I need a new wrench. What is a good one for tight spots like this?

Thanks,

Brian in Mi

 

[Eric 3.7LX Alpha 1]

I use an older Craftsman 28 20522, that was made here in the US. It has a red handle and always grips and removes my old filters. Most of their stuff is made in China now, so not sure about their current wrenches. There's an NOS one for sale on Ebay like mine.

 

[Bondo]

I sure don't know why they had to locate so low when the oil filter is so easy to get too. My old oil filter wrench is slipping and rather that mess the old one up and leak fuel in the bilge I need a new wrench. What is a good one for tight spots like this?

Thanks,

Brian in Mi

Ayuh,..... Mines pretty easy, right out front, starboard side,......

How much "Boat" do you have in the way,..??
You Are turnin' it the right way, Right,..??

 

[Scott Danforth]

Strap wrench. Have a pair of cheap kobalt ones, a vice grip one, and a home made one

 

[Searay205]

I have a searay 205 and panel right in way. What a MFer. After jacking around for 45 minutes I removed the panel, squeezed my but in there and used a pipe wrench. I bent the bracket the fuel filter mounts on removing but it came off, I sure didn't put it on that tight. I never replace again, the one I took off, over 100 hours was perfect when I cut it apart.

 

[Bondo]

I have a searay 205 and panel right in way. What a MFer. After jacking around for 45 minutes I removed the panel, squeezed my but in there and used a pipe wrench. I bent the bracket the fuel filter mounts on removing but it came off, I sure didn't put it on that tight. I never replace again, the one I took off, over 100 hours was perfect when I cut it apart.

Ayuh,..... Changed more often, they don't usually get stuck,....
'n it ain't so much 'bout crud, but stoppin' the water,....

 

[Lou C]

If the wrench slips then, take a piece of coarse sand paper, fold it so the rough side is out on both sides then slip it between the strap n the filter, been doing that since the 70s….make sure to coat the rubber gasket well with oil and no more than hand tight…

 

[itsathepete]

I really like the cam action wrenches used with a ratchet

 

[Alumarine]

I always put a bit of skateboard tape or grip tape on filters before installing them.

 

[Lancerdad34]

Ayuh,..... Mines pretty easy, right out front, starboard side,......

How much "Boat" do you have in the way,..??
You Are turnin' it the right way, Right,..??

Yes right

 

[Scott06]

Take the bracket off including filter housing put it in a vise and get it off that way. If it hasn’t been changed it won’t come off without beating it

 

[Lancerdad34]

If the wrench slips then, take a piece of coarse sand paper, fold it so the rough side is out on both sides then slip it between the strap n the filter, been doing that since the 70s….make sure to coat the rubber gasket well with oil and no more than hand tight…

Thanks will try that when I get back in town next week!

 

[QBhoy]

Hi. I use the plier like filter grips. It’s without doubt the best type to get these off. Also only put the thing on hand tight too. But always a battle to get these off. Wasting your time with most strap wrenches. How they get so tight is one of life’s great mysteries!

 

[Lou C]

Tip:
Lube BOTH
the gasket & mounting pad with motor oil.
I’ve never had one stick this way
The alu of the base starts to oxidize and gets a little rough

 

[QBhoy]

Tip:
Lube BOTH
the gasket & mounting pad with motor oil.
I’ve never had one stick this way
The alu of the base starts to oxidize and gets a little rough

Agree. Always do just that…but I’m sure there is a wee gremlin with arms like hulk hogan in my engine bay, that tightens that filter up after I’m gone. Always solid for some reason.

 

[Lou C]

If I had problems with this each year I'd:
get a mechanic's inspection mirror
take a good look at the mounting pad
if you see any alu oxidation just lightly sand it with a bit of 600 sand paper to smooth it out
coat liberally with motor oil.

 

[QBhoy]

Tip:
Lube BOTH
the gasket & mounting pad with motor oil.
I’ve never had one stick this way
The alu of the base starts to oxidize and gets a little rough

Agree. Always do just that…but I’m sure there is a wee gremlin with arms like hulk hogan in my engine bay, that tightens that filter up after I’m gone. Always solid

If I had problems with this each year I'd:
get a mechanic's inspection mirror
take a good look at the mounting pad
if you see any alu oxidation just lightly sand it with a bit of 600 sand paper to smooth it out
coat liberally with motor oil.

just realised he is talking about the fuel filter. I was meaning the oil filter

 

[Lou C]

Agree. Always do just that…but I’m sure there is a wee gremlin with arms like hulk hogan in my engine bay, that tightens that filter up after I’m gone. Always solid

just realised he is talking about the fuel filter. I was meaning the oil filter

Ah well yes I think engine heat makes them get stuck.
I've been doing small block Chevy, Olds, Ford V8s, imports (Honda, Toyota, Subaru, Mazda), Jeep inline 6, Chrysler Hemi filters for years never had one I couldn't get off. A good fitting cap wrench, or the Lisle jaw style works great.

 

[Lou C]

I sure don't know why they had to locate so low when the oil filter is so easy to get too. My old oil filter wrench is slipping and rather that mess the old one up and leak fuel in the bilge I need a new wrench. What is a good one for tight spots like this?

Thanks,

Brian in Mi

Boat companies don't really think about mechanics. You think that's bad, try replacing a steering actuator. That's really fun. I think I sweated out 5 lbs that day.

 

[Lancerdad34]

Ah well yes I think engine heat makes them get stuck.
I've been doing small block Chevy, Olds, Ford V8s, imports (Honda, Toyota, Subaru, Mazda), Jeep inline 6, Chrysler Hemi filters for years never had one I couldn't get off. A good fitting cap wrench, or the Lisle jaw style works great.

Thanks for all the replies! The issue is the cheap wrench I have no room to turn it and it is not the ratchet type, so time for a new wrench!