HELP!

[H. Miller]

Have been flushing the old antifreeze and cleaner for 2 days! After the 4th clean water flush it looks pretty clear.
Now the problem. The old water filter next to the oil filter ('04 Cummins ISC 330) was last put on by a gorilla! My filter removal tool started to deform the filter when I "grab" the filter near the bottom. OK, so I grab it near the top and with a 2 foot pipe extension for leverage - nothing. Next comes the chisel and hammer - nothing. As we say in the airmachine world, "I've run out of airspeed and altitude". Any ideas?
PS - while working on old cars and airmachines for over 50 years I've learned which way to loosen and or tighten a nut or filter

[mahon1993]

Have you tried a strap wrench at the top? Try rapping on the very top edge with a hammer. It's usually the rubber gasket that is doing all the holding. If you could hit it on an angle with a hammer trying to loosen it might help. Maybe a little carefully placed heat might help soften the rubber gasket. You might just have to "disassemble" it. I know there is not a lot of room to work up there while laying on your back.
Good luck.
Greg

[H. Miller]

Thanks for the support Greg! GOT IT!!!!
With the aforementioned filter tool and the 3 foot pipe over it's handle, THEN change directions 90 degrees with a 3 foot 2X4..........hard to explain but in effect there was a 4' handle on the filter wrench!! And it still didn't come easy. Have a bad feeling it was the original with 65,000 miles on it.
How does it go? "Buy used and let the first guy take the big depreciation hit." Guess that's ok if you know the "first guy" and his maintenance habits.

[Gary RVRoamer]

Most people don't even know that coolant filter is there. And few shops every change it unless the owner specifically requests it.

[H. Miller]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gary RVRoamer Most people don't even know that coolant filter is there. And few shops every change it unless the owner specifically requests it.

And you wonder how they keep up with (and replace) the SCA? Suppose it is nearly as important as made out to be?
We now have Peak "forever" anti-freeze so not to worry for 3 years. Found the undiluted Peak for $10. per gallon and distilled water for .97 cents a gal. That comes to $5.50 per gal or $55. for the change out! Not bad...............

[Gary RVRoamer]

The coolant filter on my ISL contains a "charge" of SCA. I had it changed a 1.5 years ago when I had it in the shop for some other work. I knew where that filter was and avoided dealing with it myself, even though I do most other routine maintenance. After talking with the tech who did it, I was glad! He had quite a struggle, was filthy up to his armpits, and got a bath in antifreeze as well! And only got paid 0.4 hours of flat rate time for the job.

[ccearley]

That's what you pay a mechanic to do. Another filter that is ignored is the air dump filter, on mine. it's cartridge type. It's costly when this filter gets clogged, a good rv or chasie specialist knows about this filter

[ChrisNiemann]

anyone else with stuck parts like this also needs to remember the saying -

"sometimes you have to tighten it to loosen it"

a slight tap or yank to the right will often 'break' the crap inside to allow it to turn to the left, you'd be suprised how many cars ive worked on where the 3/4 wrench has been flung across the shop just to come back with a hammer on the wrench, tap it to the right and watch it spin off to the left!!

[walkingplow]

Been there - Done that; sometimes on results in off!!!!

[quikduk]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ccearley That's what you pay a mechanic to do. Another filter that is ignored is the air dump filter, on mine. it's cartridge type. It's costly when this filter gets clogged, a good rv or chasie specialist knows about this filter

Sorry it has been a while since I have had the time to post (work etc.). I was working on my '98 GS the past few weeks (months?) and had a thought about this filter. Does anyone know where it is located on a Spartan Summit GT chassis? I will call Spartan tomorrow JIC but was curious as the hose/fitting above the air compressor appears to be leaking fluid making a grungy mess of the compressor and immediate area.

I'll take pics as soon as possible.

[hardy1000]

Quote:

Originally Posted by H. Miller Have been flushing the old antifreeze and cleaner for 2 days! After the 4th clean water flush it looks pretty clear. Now the problem. The old water filter next to the oil filter ('04 Cummins ISC 330) was last put on by a gorilla! My filter removal tool started to deform the filter when I "grab" the filter near the bottom. OK, so I grab it near the top and with a 2 foot pipe extension for leverage - nothing. Next comes the chisel and hammer - nothing. As we say in the airmachine world, "I've run out of airspeed and altitude". Any ideas? PS - while working on old cars and airmachines for over 50 years I've learned which way to loosen and or tighten a nut or filter

On my last MH I had a stuck filter that my filter wrench and strap wouldn't budge so I took a hose clamp and put it on the filter and placed the screw driver back in the tightning screw and gave it a few hard hits to break it loose.

[SpursMVP]

When changing the anti-freeze filter on the ISC I found out about the shutoff valve after wearing about 1-2 gallons of the stuff.

Nothing like learning a lesson after the fact!

[OneRVer]

NAPA has a heavy duty filter remover. Is it set up to use with a breaker bar. Cost around 24 dollars. Well worth it. If you deform this one then it is time for the cutting torch.

[OneRVer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by OneRVer NAPA has a heavy duty filter remover. Is it set up to use with a breaker bar. Cost around 24 dollars. Well worth it. If you deform this one then it is time for the cutting torch.

NAPA part number 77-2320