I can't remove my fuel filter housing

[nwpete]

I've been trying to twist open this fuel filter housing in the pic for several days now and I still can't open it. I tried everything.. using rags, wrenches, strap wrenches... and twisted counterclockwise looking at it from the bottom. I'm about to tap out. Any idea on how to open this thing? And where do I buy a replacement filter assuming I finally open it?

2001 Mercury 2 stroke 40hp

 

[Grub54891]

I believe it has to turn the other way. Counterclockwise is making it tighter. Look at the nut on the stud at the top. By turning it counterclockwise, it will loosen, now turn it upside down, and you will have to turn it clockwise to loosen.

 

[djrowe007]

The way it is in the picture you turn it counter clockwise (to the left) to loosen it. The O-ring in there may be in bad shape or sticking. If you take it off you can run it under some hot water just make sure you dry it back out


​You can also buy them at any Mercury dealership in your area. They also have that same filter setup on a 1997 seadoo xp (and others) if you don't have a Merc dealer by you.........

 

[Fun Times]

While the lower part might come apart by turning it with some shear force involved as you'll be able to see it is threaded in an imaged linked below, I'm relatively pretty sure that it's not designed to come apart as far as Mercury marine is concerned....The fuel filter is more designed to be sold as an complete assembly versus just the filter inside which is indicated by the part number when looking it up in the parts diagram.

Looking up the part numbers that used to be (/ is) associated with this filter yields 3 numbers which 2 are no longer available.

First was part umber 87946T14 then came 35-891642T03 and now there is 8M0063726.

Notice item number 26 in the boxed image shows the filter assembly, http://www.mercruiserparts.com/bam/subassembly/32795/3021/110

Here is some photos of someone taking the assembly apart which shows the threads and actual filter design but Mercury doesn't show a part number just for the filter inside, https://www.nlamarine.com/products/...-35-87946t14-35-891642t03?variant=11006111493

If you search any of the 3 number listed above either with an image search online or on EBay, you'll see more of the complete assembly for sale vs just the little filter inside. Here's the latest part number design shown on EBay for you as the new number looks just slightly different/maybe smaller?...
https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_fr...C0.H0.X8m0063726.TRS0&_nkw=8m0063726&_sacat=0
versus an older number, http://www.mjmarine.co.uk/ourshop/prod_5914062-35891642T03-FUEL-FILTER-ASSY.html

 

[Grub54891]

The filter itself is a fine screen. You clean it and re-install. Just did mine last week, comes apart with a touch of force.

 

[nwpete]

Thanks guys. I did end up opening it with a pipe wrench today.

 

[james-ky]

Hey nwpete,

Once you got the filter housing open, did you find that the standard 87946K04 filter would fit?

Thanks.