Fuel filter stuck, filter head broken...

Aaargh!

Search doesn't seem to answer this. X reg 110 TD5 CSW

Decided to whip off the long-overdue fuel filter under the o/s rear wheel arch (having failed to replace transfer box oil seal but that's another story...) and it simply will not unscrew - top surface is rusted to bu**ery.

Chain wrench failed, dented / collapsed cannister - so dremel out and cutting it to shreds a bit at time (yes, I am watching the sparks/temp) - but still top is refusing to rotate and undo from the head and spindle.

Any brilliant ideas folks? I decided against blow torch.

As a depressing aside the movement in all this has shown that the head bracket is cracked around both mounting bolts - just the lh one has enough of its original surround to make a C shape that will support the assembly for a while. Do I need to replace the entire head, or is there a cunning fix - and are the 4 uniions anything exotic/complicated to undo and reconnect?

Sorry its a bit random, but a very frustrating day trying and failing in what should have been simple tasks even if darned cold...! Cheers A

eventually replace but id mark pipe locations and remove filter head and filter and undo in a vice

I would have stuck a screwdriver through the filter body and used it to turn it off the head - like you would an oil filter

That was quick! Tried the screwdriver Daz- just crumpled the cannister even more (and showed up the cracked mount even more.....).

Will remove as you say JM - just 'normal' unions on the 4 pipes then? The colour code collars are still there so will note them! Thanks a lot chaps. A

Strewth what a job! Unions too cruddy, wrong size spanner, so just another disaster waiting to happen..... so 5 dremel cutting discs later sliced and peeled the darned thing off right down to slicing off the top 'disc' of the old filter til it finally gave out with a whimper almost saying 'what's all the fuss about...!!'. Just had the spindle thread to undo by hand with the shreds of metal left round it.

New filter on a lovely cleaned up filter head. Big washers under the mounting bolts to clamp it onto the chassis with what remains of the original two holes/surrounding 'casting' of nylon or whatever its made of.

5 pumps and primed and running beautifully - bit of air purging in second start but all the seals leak free. Note to self - don't leave it on so long next time.......

Water warning light still occasionally flickers on, as it was before - must be poor connection somewhere, to be checked on when I get some stamina back....

Cheers chaps. A