Remote Oil Filter damaged line replacement 4.3L mpi

[280grappler]

I have discovered that I have a pinhole leak in the metal pipe that supplies oil to the remote mount oil filter. Its a pinhole leak, but a fair amount of oil leaks from it rather quickly, so it must be replace before the engine can be run.

Regrettably, I found this out after completing a replacement of the manifolds and spacers and elbows. In trying to get the engine running again, I saw oil in the bilge and finally was able to see the location where it was coming from.

Does anyone know if I can buy the replacement hoses/lines (they are a combination of hose and metal lines) and have any chance of accessing where they attach to the adapter on the block? Its down low on the port side towards the rear, and I can't figure out from the parts diagrams or pictures of the parts, how they exactly connect to their fittings. I can't tell for sure what tools I would need. Any experience in this would be useful.

I'm not anxious to remove the work that I just did on that side, but if necessary I can disassemble the elbows and remove the manifold again. But I certainly don't want to do that if its not really necessary, or if I won't be able to properly access that adapter fitting with the right tools.

If anyone thinks I can cut the metal line and splice it somehow to repair it, I'd be interested in any knowledge about that as well. It obviously would have to hold up to the oil pressure and temperature.

Thanks for any input.

 

[scoflaw]

That is going to be a real bitch to get that line off. that adapter has a narrow hex molded into it that you will need to get a wrench on while you unscrew the oil line. You may not be able to do this with the motor in the boat.

You could try scabbing in a section of rubber oil line like you mention. Cut it with a tubing cutter, maybe put a slight flare on the metals end so it won't slip off and use some decent clamps.

 

[280grappler]

Thanks for the reply.

I'm heading back to the boat shortly to spend some time trying to stick my head down there (port engine, port side) to see if I can get a better visual read on the connection. So far I haven't been able to find a video or photographs, and the diagrams and available pictures of the parts make it hard to figure out exactly how those hoses are connected.

It looks like the return hose from the remote filter to the block adapter is a threaded fitting that could be removed with an open ended wrench (of some unknown size), but the hose that goes to the remote filter from the block adapter has a circular fitting that somehow slips over the center tube from the adapter, has a couple of gaskets around it, and is held securely there by "I-don't-know-what". The parts diagram shows a "clip" of some sort there, but I can't figure out much about how that assembly is put together or taken apart.

One of my objectives for today is to assess whether I can reasonably get to this stuff with the manifold and elbow removed. I'll need to get new gaskets for that if I go that route, but don't want to mess with that process if its not going to get me the room to accomplish the hose change out.

It's not a desired solution, but I'm wondering if a possibly solution is just to remove the block adapter and remote filter set up altogether and just contort myself to get a filter directly on the block mount. I guess I'll get a better idea today with a strong light and some pictures. Seems unlikely though.

 

[280grappler]

That is going to be a real bitch to get that line off. that adapter has a narrow hex molded into it that you will need to get a wrench on while you unscrew the oil line. You may not be able to do this with the motor in the boat.

Well, my assessment is that you are correct. Its not possible to do with the engine in the boat. I removed the elbow, riser, and manifold on that side and the connections to the remote adapter are just far too buried to be accessible.

I've cut the remote oil line below the filter at the point where the pitting and pinhole leak occurred, and installed a hydraulic shop union there. It looks good, but won't know if it holds until I get the manifold riser and elbow back in place and can try to start it.

The hole in the tubing was quite small on the inside...maybe half a pinhead. So I'm guessing that a sleeve of high pressure tubing and clamps may have been able to hold it, but I wanted something that would look more professional. The hydraulic union is rated for hundreds of psi, so if I did the installation competently, it should hold.

 

[Spark600]

If you are going to due all that work to get to the hoses put new ones in.
Take the hoses to a hydraulic hose company and they will custom make the hoses.
Find a company that makes hydraulic hoses for backhoes, machinery ETC.
On long island NY there is a company called Moreland hose 631-563-7071 you could send it to them and they will mail you new ones.