TM 5-3895-373-20 2.23.5.   REPLACE ENGINE FUEL FILTER ELEMENT -Continued. A. REMOVE - Continued. WARNING Fuel     is     very     flammable     and     can explode    easily.        To    avoid    serious injury or death: Always   wear   safety   glasses/goggles at all times. Keep  at  least  a  B-C  fire  extinguisher within easy reach when working with fuel or on a fuel system. Do   not   work   on   fuel   system   when engine is hot; fuel can be ignited by a hot engine. Post  signs  that  read  "NO    SMOKING WITHIN 50 FEET" when  working  with open fuel lines or fuel tanks. c. Unthread tube coupling nuts (2) and remove metal tube (3) from multiple connector (4). d. Loosen   fluid   passage   bolt   (5)   enough   to rotate multiple connector (4) to gain access to bolt (6). 2. REMOVE FUEL FILTER ELEMENT. a. Wrap   fuel   filter   element   (7)   and   bottom cover (8) with a machinery wiping towel. b. Hold   fuel   filter   element   (7),   bottom   cover (8),   and   the   machinery   wiping   towel   and remove bolt (6). c. Remove  fuel  filter  element  (7)  and  bottom cover (8) together.  Drain trapped fuel into a drip pan. CAUTION Use    caution    when    removing    seals and  preformed  packings.    Scratched or   dented   seal   grooves   can   cause bypass leakage. Do not use excessive force when removing seals and  preformed  packings.    Use  an  o- ring tool to remove seals and preformed packings. d. Separate fuel filter element (7) from bottom cover  (8)  and  remove  and  discard  bottom  gasket  (9). Remove top gasket (10) from filter head (11) with an  o- ring tool.  Discard top gasket. e. Remove  thumbscrew  (12)  and  gasket  (13) from bottom cover (8).  Inspect the gasket for rips, tears, or    deformation.        Discard    the    gasket    if    damaged. f. Remove   preformed   packing   (14)   and   flat washer (15) from bolt (6). Discard preformed packing. g. Use  an  o-ring  tool   and   remove   seal   (16) from filter head (11).  Discard seal. h. Dispose of fuel filter element (7), contaminated machinery wiping towels, and waste fuel in accordance with local procedures. GO TO NEXT PAGE 2-410