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**Wotname** · 12-09-2015, 04:08

What sort of spanner (wrench) do you use to remove the fuel filter on the smaller Yanmar engines (GM, YM etc).

Over the years I have used a variety of biggish pliers, grips etc but today while I was changing the filter, I thought there must be a better way.

Maybe some sort of C spanner or a speciality or custom tool.

It might only need to be hand tight if one had a good grip but I don't and I assume many of us don't have enough grip strength to trust hand tight.

**GordMay** · 12-09-2015, 05:02

Any auto parts or tool store should have filtre wrenches and strap wrenches.

**HappyMdRSailor** · 12-09-2015, 05:26

Wottie...

Gordo's got it with the strap wrench... I've also made my own wrench out of 5/16" HDPE sheet... Fairly easy to do, maybe a bit time consuming to fit perfect... Jigsaw, coping saw, hacksaw blade, files...

Emerald Sea · 12-09-2015, 09:18

Try wrapping a webbing type filter wrench around it i.e. Snapon. This is what I use for my large fingers. Yanmar makes a filter wrench that seems to fit these types. Search bayshoremarine, I thinks.

**Wotname** · 12-09-2015, 15:21

Thanks guys.
I never had much luck using off the shelf strap wrenches on these small filters with the smallish securing ring, even using the hugely expensive Snap On one. Maybe that is just me

.

Or the fact I hate disassembling half the engine to get access

I hadn't considered HDPE sheet, will give that some thought or maybe some 8 or 10 mm Al. I like bespoke spanners

lockie · 12-09-2015, 17:44

For years I have just used a screwdriver bottomed in one of the castellations, tapped (GENTLY!) with a small hammer. No damage, no hassle, one less special tool to lose.

It should not be done up tight, as it is only containing pressure from the lift pump.

Cheers, Graeme

**JPA Cate** · 13-09-2015, 01:37

Wottie,

You know so much more than I do, I hesitate to post. But, if you replace the present gasket with an O-ring (assuming there's a reasonable groove), greased with silicone grease, might you not be able to do it by hand thereafter?

The strap "wrenches" also work well for me, as I have not a strong grip. But I'm dead keen on work-arounds.

Ann

**Wotname** · 13-09-2015, 02:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ann T. Cate

Wottie,

You know so much more than I do, I hesitate to post. But, if you replace the present gasket with an O-ring (assuming there's a reasonable groove), greased with silicone grease, might you not be able to do it by hand thereafter?

The strap "wrenches" also work well for me, as I have not a strong grip. But I'm dead keen on work-arounds.

Ann

One can always learn stuff from others

The existing seal is already an Oring, but I like to keep silicone grease away from the diesel input to the injector pump.

Strap wrench might work better if there was better access

**Wotname** · 13-09-2015, 02:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by lockie

For years I have just used a screwdriver bottomed in one of the castellations, tapped (GENTLY!) with a small hammer. No damage, no hassle, one less special tool to lose.

It should not be done up tight, as it is only containing pressure from the lift pump.

Cheers, Graeme

And the big advantage is that one can always upgrade to a bigger hammer

I agree it doesn't need to be too tight, just tight enough not to vibrate loose.

domander · 13-09-2015, 07:26

This probably doesn't apply in your case, but an old way to remove a stubborn oil filter is to drive a screwdriver through the body of the filter and then use the screwdriver as a lever. It's a trick which may help some people when nothing else will work.

- Brian Domander

**HappyMdRSailor** · 13-09-2015, 07:34

wottie

Aluminum sounds really nice too... Albeit a tad more work than HDPE to shape... I think I have one of Nylon as well... I might go for that if the spanner cut out tabs are not so deep...

***edit reading below post***
Looks like you have plenty of room for a custom spanner... PLUS... If you don't have room, and you go for Al.... It can be open on 1 side for clearance!

boeing1 · 13-09-2015, 07:44

yes, screw driver works well, due to most engines you do not have room to fit a wrench, Note tap is the key word.

BobH260 · 13-09-2015, 07:57

The Yanmar parts diagrams do show a wrench to fit the ring on the primary fuel filter. I asked the dealer and the distributor both said it is no longer available. I keep looking at marina garage sales but so far....so I use the screw driver and small brass hammer technique.
Bob