Leak at fuel filter

[Ken Palmer]

I had been smelling diesel when running the 2GM engine on my H33. Upon close inspection, I found fuel weeping out the bleeder screw on the engine fuel filter. I replaced the nylon washer with an exact replacement bought at our local marina, and noticed that the screw started to slip when snugging. I didn't turn it hard, and quit when it wasn't going to tighten any further. That stopped my fuel leak for a couple weeks, but now it's leaking again. Do I have to replace the whole housing, or can it be repaired? A guy at work said that I could insert new threading and change the screw, or tap the hole to the next size up and use a normal screw.What would you do? Thanks.Ken Palmer, S/V Liberty

 

[Gordon Torresen]

Bleeder screw leak

If you examine the bleeder screw, you will note that it is special. Some have holes and others have a notch to facilitate bleeding. I would try to stay with the special screw. The repair that I would make would be to insert a 6mm Helicoil in the old hole. This requires drilling out the old threads, tapping the hole with a special tap and installing a stainless steel Helicoil insert, with a special insert tool. To avoid the cost of all these special tools, I would remove the filter assembly and take it to a good automotive machine shop and let them do the job. (or send it to TMI) The reason that these threads fail is over tightening in an attempt to stop the leak caused by a bad nylon washer. You described how the leak stopped with a new washer and stripped threads, illustrating the need for a good washer but not a lot of tightening.

 

[Joe]

Here's what i did

I tapped it to a 1/8-pipe thread, used a short nipple, coupling and a plug on top. Sealed all the fittings with teflon tape. Now when I have to bleed the fuel system I hold the coupling and remove the plug not having to worry about stripping the cast aluminum filter housing. I also have a 1/8 pipe thread to hose barb that I thread into the coupling with the 2 feet of hose going into a bottle. Crank the engine, wait for the fuel to flow into the bottle replace the plug....no muss no fuss...works great!

 

[Ron Barrow]

Bought new filter assembly - $30?

About three years ago, I bought a new filter assembly after I was exhausted from efforts to stop the leak. Since then I have been careful not to strip the threads. The assembly came in the mail after a couple of days and installed in about 5 minutes. No leaks since after at least three filter replacements. I don't know what the assembly costs today; but, if your time is worth anything,I would buy the new part and get a couple of extra nylon washers, too.  Good Luck, RB

 

[Gordon Torresen]

Sage advice, Ron Barrow.

Ron gives sound advice. The new filter assembly (129470-55601) now sells for only $39.38. In addition to the spare nylon washers that Ron suggests, get new copper washers for the installation and be sure to hold the tubes in the proper position when tightening the banjo bolts. Chalk the cost of all this to learning that too tight can do harm also.