I can not get the fuel preheater nipple to turn to remove the preheater. I tried everything so far including a hammer acutated impact. This thing will not budge. I feel sure it is not reverse threaded is it? Will I have to destroy this thing to get it out?

 

it could be reverse thread, because i changed the fuel filter because my dad seid he had only changed it once in the life of the truck and the nipple came out with the filter

 

Sorry you are having trouble. I have never been into the fuel heater but according to the FSM the adapter is only supposed to be torqued to 24 ft. lbs. Someone may have used a loctite or other sealer. If that is the case it may take some heat to get it to move. Of course that brings in a whole new set of concerns like fire, and thread damage.

 

I would think that if it was left hand threaded it would not allow you to tighten the filter.

 

Exactly. Sometimes they come out with the filter during a normal filter change.

edit: just to be clear, it is NOT a reverse/left hand thread.

 

Get a piece of flat stock that fits good in the slot and an adjustable wrench to turn it. You'll get better leverage that way.

 

Would applying heat help? I know that I can not use a flame in the area but could I use a heating element or heated rod?

 

Shouldn't need heat. Once it moves a bit it should come right out.

 

The only thing I can think of is that some helpful soul installed it with Loctite Red after it backed out when changing the filter one time too many.

 

Yea, quotn' Hank Jr. "I'd like to spit some Beechnut in that dudes eyes and shoot him with my ole 45".

Got to break it loose some how.

 

Without going out to look at mine.....can you get on the heater with a large water pump pliars and get the whole thing to rotate a little? When I pulled mine off to replace the gasket, I used a flat, spade, wood drill bit that fit nicely up in the slot on the stud. The bit had a hex on the shaft that I turned with a socket. If mine had been severely tight, I would have ground on the bit a touch to make it fit tighter and take off the sharp edge.
Good luck.

 

If it is Loctite it will take about 400 degrees F to turn back to liquid. I seem to remember that Loctite made a solvent. I never used it but I would like to try that before I got too drastic. Acetone might cut it, just don't get it on plastic like wire insulation or fuel lines. The problem using any liquid solvent is going to be keeping it wet to soak up into the threads.

Another product that has been around forever is Kroil. It is as good a penetrant as any I have used.

 

It is not Left handed thread. I wouldnt use heat, the heater has plastic.
I had to replace the oring on mine last spring

 

OOps! I didn't know about that. Your options are getting limited. Can a new fuel heater be obtained at a reasonable cost? This has turned into a major FUBAR.

 

Have you tried a good Vise-Grip on the stud? You will need a new stud but I would hate to think about using heat near diesel and other combustable items in the truck.