Hello,
I have replaced the o rings recently on two mile master tank female fittings and I did not have to remove any internal components[retainers] of the fitting to do so. It is a bit tricky to do the first time but not that bad. You need to carefully secure the fitting in a vice with the openings pointing upwards.[maybe between two pieces of wood so as not to scratch/harm the fitting] Then take a small tool like an allen key or hex wrench and depress the plunger on one of the openings inward or down into the fitting. When you do this, if you look carefully you can see the o ring in a slot under the opening circumference. You now need to keep the plunger depressed and use something like a metal dental pick to pick out the old ring. It may break into smaller pieces as you try to remove it but what is important is that you get it all out. I like to keep the pieces that I dig out so that I have a pretty good idea when it is all removed. You will find it easier to remove the second ring after you get used to the first removal. When you are ready to put the o rings in put a little oil on them so they will slip in easier. You need to depress the plunger again as before and pinch in half or fold the ring in your fingers and nose it in to the fitting slot. Once you get it started you can begin to tuck it in with the same or a smoother ended dental pick[so you don't damage it]. It will eventually go in to the groove that it has to be in.
I used some old tools that I had from a leather tooling kit which really worked well in both the removal and insertion of the rings. Some guys heat up the end of their removal tool with a torch or flame so as to melt into the old ring to make it easier to pick out. I would not do this myself especially if the line is still connected to the fuel tank. If you are working well away from the tank and working on the fitting only you might try this heat method. Just be careful around the fuel. The task is a bit frustrating and it took me about 1/2 hour to do the first fuel fitting done with new o rings installed. The second one took me under 15 minutes from start to finish.[remove and replace] The two fittings I have repaired do not leak a drop so if I can do it anyone can. It is not necessary to tear apart the whole fitting to repair the o rings. When you get it done, show it to your mechanic friend. He should be impressed.
Hope this is helpful.
If I can be of more assistance just let me know. It is a little hard to put this method of o ring replacement into words so if I wasn't clear get back to me.
Sean.
Ontario,
Canada.
