Gasoline filter hazzard

[levittownnick]

'97 proline 201 (20 foot) with 150 Johnson.<br />The fuel filter is located in the bilge under a hatch that is located in the motor well.<br />The motor well is deep and leaning over the well to reach the filter is very difficult for me. I can only get 1 arm/hand into change the filter. The filter is a disposible cannister type. Some gasoline from the filter always spills into the bilge. I do this on land with a garden hose spraying into the bilge in the hope of reducing the chance of fire. Due to the awarkard position that I assume to get to this filter, I am concerned that if a flash fire, I would be seriousely burned.<br />Is there a safer way of changing this filter?

 

[Mahoney]

Re: Gasoline filter hazzard

Unfortunately I doubt it. Best thing to do is to make sure you have a fire extinguisher handy. Disconnect battery before touching anything fuel related. The garden hose is a good idea too. Best time of day for this is also morning before the heat of the day and sun make more vapors, a breezy morning would be optimal.<br /><br /><br />You are going to get some fuel in the bilge, just rinse it out and let dry. Do not reconnect battery until all is washed out and fuel has evaporated.

 

[briannh1234]

Re: Gasoline filter hazzard

Make sure the plug is out when you change the filter.

 

[waterone1@aol.com]

Re: Gasoline filter hazzard

I had a similar setup, while this may or may not work for you this is what I did. I got an old bleach jug (1 gallon, I think) and cut it in half, keeping the bottom section. I poked a small hole on each side toward the top. I tied a four foot piece of twine through the holes. I could lower the bleach jug down and under the fuel filter (a bucket wouldn't fit in there) drop the fuel filter and pull the jug up. No mess, no fuel spill.

 

[dajohnson53]

Re: Gasoline filter hazzard

Having been in a similar sitation in the past, I appreciate your concern - I did something similar to the jug set up above. Also, I've been thinking that absorbant padding would have worked, but since I don't have this set up anymore, I haven't tried it. I know they absorb well, I don't know if they help prevent fires once they absorb the fuel. Good luck and tell us what you come up with as this is probably a hazard many of us encounter.