Fuel Control Cell diameter

[functionoverfashion]

Can someone with easy access to their boat please tell me the diameter of the PCM Fuel Control Cell canister? I'm trying to order a filter wrench specifically for that, and my boat is in storage for the winter.

Thank you in advance!

[charlesml3]

Pretty much any automotive filter wrench will be fine. Or you can just go with one of these: https://www.amazon.com/Craftsman-Pie...s=strap+wrench

A strap wrench has a really big range of sizes it'll grip.

-Charles

[homer12]

Can’t tell you the diameter but can tell you I’ve used one of those rubber strap wrenches effectively on mine.


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[functionoverfashion]

I'm looking at a somewhat adjustable strap-style wrench, but I've had trouble in the past with the one I have, specifically on trying to remove an FCC on these engines.

This summer, I tried my existing strap wrench on the FCC and couldn't get it off. This is the one I have (18" handle)


I was considering one more like this


that uses a metal band, and can be turned with any ratchet + extension. But these come in a relatively small size range, as do some alternatives, like...

one of these, for the same reasons - you can use a ratchet with any kind of extension or adapter you may want, to fit in tighter spaces.




I am hoping that once I've had it off, it will not be so difficult to remove again if I don't overtighten it. There have been a few things on this boat that were waaaayy tighter than I think they needed to be, like the oil filter, and now this.

But I need the approximate diameter to figure out which size tool to buy.

Charles, I may try one of the ones you posted at least because they're not expensive! But I was able to put a LOT of force on my existing strap wrench and it didn't budge. I'd be afraid of breaking the plastic handles on the Craftsmans....

[charlesml3]

You're not going to break the plastic handle. You'd only do that if you somehow put a pipe on it and over-leveraged it.

The only "problem" with these strap wrenches is the sometimes really tight quarters you have to work in. Sometimes it's difficult to get it in a position where it gets enough bite before the handle runs into some part of the engine, a bulkhead, etc. I had to really work mine around to find the right spot to get the fuel/water separator off of my 230.

From the factory, my filters were WAY too tight. It was all I could do to get them off. Since then I only tighten them by hand.

-Charles

[functionoverfashion]

You're not going to break the plastic handle. You'd only do that if you somehow put a pipe on it and over-leveraged it.

The only "problem" with these strap wrenches is the sometimes really tight quarters you have to work in. Sometimes it's difficult to get it in a position where it gets enough bite before the handle runs into some part of the engine, a bulkhead, etc. I had to really work mine around to find the right spot to get the fuel/water separator off of my 230.

From the factory, my filters were WAY too tight. It was all I could do to get them off. Since then I only tighten them by hand.

-Charles

Hmm, thanks. I think in my boat if you take out the side panels by the engine, you can get a decent bit of leverage. Without that, forget it. This fuel filter housing will definitely NOT be going on as tight as it is right now. But I didn't change the filter this year (I got the boat in June and it had already been running) so next year it's a must.

[charlesml3]

Yea. I changed mine at 25 hours. After an hour of struggling, sweating and cursing, I FINALLY got the strap wrench back far enough to get a bite and the filter moved about 1 degree.... Yea. After about 20 more of those I could finally turn it by hand.

I'm convinced the factory puts those filters on with a wrench.

-Charles

[functionoverfashion]

Yea. I changed mine at 25 hours. After an hour of struggling, sweating and cursing, I FINALLY got the strap wrench back far enough to get a bite and the filter moved about 1 degree.... Yea. After about 20 more of those I could finally turn it by hand.

I'm convinced the factory puts those filters on with a wrench.

-Charles

This is why I'd like to get a tool that can work in close quarters, by having an extension that gets the wrench up and above the whole canister. I'm still looking at getting one of the tools I posted above; however, for the money I think I'd pick up a set of the craftsman ones, too - I'm sure they will fit and work in some places my 18" one will not.

I would gladly pay $20+ for a tool that will save me an hour+ of frustration when I go to change this thing in the spring.

[charlesml3]

This is why I'd like to get a tool that can work in close quarters, by having an extension that gets the wrench up and above the whole canister.

Yep, totally agree with you. If the nearest store that sold tools hadn't been an hour one-way, I'd have gone in search of another tool. Since then it's been fine. I still have to use the wrench to get it going, but I now know exactly how to position it right the first time and it comes off easily. You know how that goes. First time takes 10 times longer...

-Charles