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General => General discussion => Topic started by: Seanl on 29 January 2011, 18:23

Title: Friggin fuel filter!
Post by: Seanl on 29 January 2011, 18:23
Decided to do an oil and filter change today. Thought it would only take about half an hour, Boy was I wrong!
3 and a half hours later, after wrestling with the filter using a chain wrench and destroying it, trying to chisel the seal away and finally managing to hammer a long screwdriver through it, the friggin thing came off! It was so awkward its unreal, I started with the chain wrench, but couldn't get a decent purchase on it because of the angle as everything was in the way. All I managed to achieve was the chain constantly slipping off the hook, or just denting and piercing the filter. After about an hour of that I gave up and had a brew and festered a bit more.  :angry: Anyway, went back out to try and the same kept happening. I was trying from top, middle and bottom of the filter, going from below the car, and above. Thought it was probably the seal that was stuck, along with the lip of the filter as it seemed a bit corroded. Put some penetrating  :smiley: oil on it, left it for 5 minutes, and tried to slide a stanley knife around. Again, because of everything in the way, I could only manage about an inch top and bottom. Tried the chain wrench again, same thing as before. Started to panic a bit  :embarassed: as I couldn't have driven to the nearest garage for them to do, as I had already drained the oil and it would have just pi**ed out all the holes in the filter if I tried to fill it back up. On to last chance saloon, so I just hammered a long screwdriver through the whole thing. Managed to just about get my hands each side of it to use as leverage. After a massive amount of effort, and a massive amount of blood lost through my smashed to bits hands  :cry:, it moved about 2mm!  :smiley: Drove the screwdriver through again from another angle, as I had run out of room for leverage from the previous one. Again expelled a massive amount of energy, and added to my shredded hands, and it moved a couple more milimeters! Almost there I thought! Got the Chain wrench back on it, and it finally began to turn.  :grin: Seems like the chimp that changed it last didnt bother to put any lub on the seal, so I made sure I put a generous dollop of silicon grease on there for next time. First time I have ever encountered a problem doing it, so thought I would share with all you fine people in case you come accross some such problem. Had a search and there is nothing on here with what to do if it happens, (Maybe everyone else knows what to do, but I didnt!) So possibly even a sticky thread. All the best!
Title: Re: Friggin fuel filter!
Post by: shepgti on 29 January 2011, 18:28
so were you changing the fuel filter or the oil filter then?  :rolleyes:

surpirsed you didnt think about sticking a screwdriver through it sooner! thats the way i always do it, none of this fancy chain wrench stuff :grin:
Title: Re: Friggin fuel filter!
Post by: Seanl on 29 January 2011, 19:55
Ooops! Yeah I meant oil filter. Think thats what I will do in future tbh!
Title: Re: Friggin fuel filter!
Post by: snifferdog on 29 January 2011, 20:01
Ive had exactly the same thing before mate, its a bloody nightmare!  :grin:
Title: Re: Friggin fuel filter!
Post by: Bellend on 29 January 2011, 20:07
(http://www.qfonic.com/images/products/twofwrench/image01.jpg)

Cost me £15 from a Snap-On dealer and has honestly never failed me, as skeptical as I was.  :wink:
Title: Re: Friggin fuel filter!
Post by: Seanl on 29 January 2011, 20:20
Trouble is I keep bangin on about how easy it is to do maintenance and mods to anyone that asks about mk3s. Nothing is ever easy when I try to do something to it though!  Tbh its the first car I have ever done everything myself on though, I had just done interim type services on previous cars. Even when I replace the window regulator I almost sliced my finger in 2 getting the connector off!!
Title: Re: Friggin fuel filter!
Post by: Rob_g60 on 29 January 2011, 21:18
i done mine on the golf friday, got mad with it and let my brother do it lol :evil:
Title: Re: Friggin fuel filter!
Post by: shepgti on 29 January 2011, 21:32
if it doubt hit it with a hammer :evil: :grin:
Title: Re: Friggin fuel filter!
Post by: Seanl on 29 January 2011, 21:37
So true, it definately worked this time!
Title: Re: Friggin fuel filter!
Post by: Wayne on 29 January 2011, 21:46
(http://www.qfonic.com/images/products/twofwrench/image01.jpg)

Cost me £15 from a Snap-On dealer and has honestly never failed me, as skeptical as I was.  :wink:

I always use one of these if I can.
Title: Re: Friggin fuel filter!
Post by: snifferdog on 30 January 2011, 11:22
Whats it called? Looks like it could be worth having!

EDIT - Found em! Three legged oil filter removal tool. :grin:
Title: Re: Friggin fuel filter!
Post by: LowlifeDubber on 01 February 2011, 11:53
I cant get on with them 3 legged wrenches.Mines stuck in the back of my box.

I use these from snap on.Never had a filter i couldnt get undone even with restricted access.
I have 2 sizes and they are the sh!t :cool:

(http://images.orgill.com/200x200/6178644.jpg)
Title: Re: Friggin fuel filter!
Post by: SoundillusioN on 01 February 2011, 12:44
Just make sure you don't over tighten it when refitting is the long term tick, only supposed to be hand tight.