Changing Fuel Filters (First Time)

[Christian Fish]

I bought my 2005 Monterey Ventura III in June. Today I started to change the primary fuel filter. I started by attempting to drain the clear bowl on the bottom of the CAT Filter. I drained about a gallon of fuel with no sign of it emptying. I just topped off the tank and it is parked with a slight uphill slope, nose high. There  doesn't appear to be any type of shutoff valve where the fuel enters the filter. My concern is having a gusher once I remove the site bowl and filter. Is this normal? If so, does the fuel bleed out at the same rate as it drains from the site bowl? I could manage that, just don't want a major fuel spill.

Thanks

[Fred Brooks]

    Christian,
 I think a lot of us have been in your situation. Your best choice would be to postpone that job until the fuel tank is 1/2 full or less. Once you get that siphon action going it will prove to be a mess. Maybe if you turn the coach around you could pull it off but I doubt it. Glad to see "Cat" filters and have fun. Fred

[Richard Davis]

Christian
I have a 2006 Monterey Ventura with the same setup as your 2005.  I actually bought a spare clear plastic bowl so I could install the bowl on the new filter and have the entire assembly ready to go before removing the old filter.  Otherwise it is a messy situation getting the old filter off, removing the plastic bowl, installing the bowl on the new filter and then reinstalling the assembly all while fuel is running everywhere.  I also try to change filters when the fuel tank is relatively low.

Richard

[Christian Fish]

Thanks for the responses. It's going to have to wait until spring. I need to get it winterized this week and I don't have the time to burn the tank down to half full. On the 27th I am having the first of a double knee replacement. The second will be after the Holidays.

Chris

[Fred Brooks]

   Christian,
 Blessings and Joy be yours with the surgeries and may you get to enjoy your Coach this coming spring. All is probably well with the fuel system seeing you had the presence of mind to fill it for the winter to prevent condensation and the dates on the filters are just over a year old. Fred

[Christian Fish]

Thanks Fred!