Adventures in 525 Fuel Filter Replacement
 

In another thread by "imartin" it was brought to my attention the the 525 EFI has a second fuel filter at the rear of the engine. Mine was original with about 450 hours. imartin contacted me and we talked on the phone and he informed me that this job is not as easy as it looks. He was right. I was able to get a 7/8 wrench on the top of it but the filter turned in it's bracket. I fabricated a clamp to prevent it from turning but it still wouldn't budge. At this point I knew I'd have to remove the entire filter and work on it on the bench so I removed the port battery so I could lay down next to the engine and remove the bottom fuel line which was difficult because of the Q&Q down pipe being in the way but I got it out. I clamped the built in 7/8 hex on the bottom in a vice and tried to remove the top with a 7/8 wrench. It wouldn't budge and started to turn in the vice. I then clamped another 7/8 box wrench in the vice to hold the filter and put two 7/8 wrenches on top of each other in opposite directions and push/pulled with all my strength and the top popped loose! It was difficult to blow through the old filter element at first and I wonder how this was affecting my fuel pressure/flow at high speed? Anyway the filter is good for 100 hours so this will be done every 3 years and next time it will be easier because i know what I have to do and will be prepared. There is no way that filter was going to open while still on the engine. Now I'm curious if this will change how the boat runs! imatin, I hope you see this as I told you I'd give you an update. I'm sorry but I forgot your real name. I also changed the spin on filter/water separator.

Been there done that myself. How about the poor mechanic that does someone's maintenance when the customer says while you are changing the fuel separator just change that little inline fuel filter also. LOL

Put new ones on mine and dam if one didn't leak from the case so watch them for a minute when new

Those Texas guys aren't the creative type but they are good folks! Imartin = Ian

I guess I had better luck, changed both mine right on the 600SCi's... Pretty easy from what I remember.....

Yes I will closely check it for leaks!

That's it! Ian. Thanks.

Cant you just replace the whole filter cartridge assembly? At this point its probably all chewed up anyway...

They maybe talking about the old style filter that looked like a GM filter.

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...4a80058df8.jpg

This is a nice blue anodized aluminum cannister and not cheap although Ian informed me that Teague has some used ones available. It's not chewed up either. Just minor damaged that isn't too bad.

Like this but blue. $256 list for a new one.
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...c33e4f57e6.jpg

Howdy, this is Ian. Ha! Ya, that was a bear project! How about a pair of engines like me. Ugh!

I now have a 7 page thread going on no fuel delivery, which actually happened before the filter change, which prompted my changing those a few hours earlier than scheduled....

I am following your saga! Hope you figure it out soon. We are going on a 160 round trip cruise tomorrow and it will be interesting if the boat's performance is changed at all with the new, unclogged, filter!

I should have closed the loop here, but my fuel delivery sage was due to collapsing fuel hose from tank to mechanical fuel pump. Merc told me their engines are built to withstand ethanol, but they couldn't speak to what the boat manufactures use from tank to engine. So, I think fuel line change is now an every 10 year maintenance item!.