Fuel filter on Optimax

[rbmatthews]

I am having trouble undoing the fuel filter on our Optimax 75 at the moment to change it. There is a 5cm diameter red plastic castellated nut arrangement on the top which is supposed to be undone with either a screwdriver or a special tool (P/N: 91‑896661). The problem is that I used a screwdriver at first which bent some of the castellations and then broke one. Now, even though I have bought the tool, it still doesn't do the job because of the broken bit.

Searching on the internet it seems that this is not an uncommon problem with these engines, but even though many posts mention the problem, none that I have found so far have said how they solved it. So, any advice gratefully received.

Rob.

P.S. Please don't tell me to go the the motor boat forum - I am a practical boat owner, and even though we have a small motor boat, I find this forum much more useful on matters of maintaining our boat, having refurbished it from the bottom up. If it makes it more acceptable, we do air the sleeping bags sometimes on our sea trips, which act as a kind of sail in a mild breeze!

 

[alahol2]

Could you drive a couple of chunky self tappers into the top to give you purchase?

 

[rbmatthews]

Thanks alahol2. I did wonder about something like that, but I am a bit worried that any debris from the screws might drop down inside the fuel filter housing and get into places they shouldn't. Not sure of this is a real concern until I get the thing off.

Latest thinking is to epoxy a bit of tight-fitting wood into the gap between the castellations, let it set and then use vice-grips to unscrew the whole assembly. Probably over-kill, but I can't think of anything else that won't damage the main body of the filter. I certainly hope that I don't have to do this every time I change it!

 

[rbmatthews]

Latest thinking is to epoxy a bit of tight-fitting wood into the gap between the castellations, let it set and then use vice-grips to unscrew the whole assembly. Probably over-kill, but I can't think of anything else that won't damage the main body of the filter. I certainly hope that I don't have to do this every time I change it!

Well, that worked, if anyone has similar problems. Fuel filter now replaced.

R.