Gen-5 Fuel Filter -- Losing My Mind

[ekpolk]

I've searched several boards, including this one, and spent an infuriating hour or so with the toyota on-line service manual trying to locate the fuel filter in my 2003.5 (Gen-5) V-6 Camry. Toyota's only reference to a fuel filter in this car is in the tank mounted pump mechanism, to which you gain access by removing the bench portion of the back seat. And I'm not going there. There's no reference at all to what I consider a "traditional" fuel filter located somewhere up front in the engine room. I suspect that it might be going by some oddball name, thus the failure of my searches (fuel microparticle removal device, for example...).

I give up. [Hey, there's no "white flag" smilie...]. Can anyone save me from myself on this one...

[ekpolk]

Well, I guess I'm not losing my mind. I stopped by the dealer today to pick up a couple odds and ends, and asked the question. The only fuel filter in a Gen-5 Camry is attached to the fuel pump inside the gas tank. Access is through a cover located under the rear seat bench cushion.

Is it just me, or is this arrangement really fckd up??? Having to access, open, and enter the fuel tank to replace a filter does not seem like it's contributing to ease of service.

BTW, no smoking while performing this procedure. . .

[EKam]

Dealership will tell you they never change fuel filters in any of the cars that they serviced.

I changed mine just few months ago @145K Km, it's got black liquid coming out when my mech sprayed water from the other end.

(Gen3 doesn't have fuel filter in tank.)

[Ratko]

thats nuts... most normal cars have the fuel filter in the engine bay somewhere in the vicinity of the fuel rail(s).

[ekpolk]

Originally posted by Ratko
thats nuts... most normal cars have the fuel filter in the engine bay somewhere in the vicinity of the fuel rail(s).

Agreed. It's nuts, but that's apparently the way the engineers decided to set up this car. At least by the diagram, the in-tank filter looks big. Just judging from the diagram, I'd say it looks somewhere between pint and quart sized. Alas, when it does need replacing, this won't be a job for the faint of heart (or for chain smokers either...).

[VVT-i Owns]

The Seat comes off quite easily i think just pull upwards on it.
I think the car is like this cause it has no return lines??

[ekpolk]

Originally posted by VVT-i Owns
The Seat comes off quite easily i think just pull upwards on it.
I think the car is like this cause it has no return lines??

I'm sure the seat does come out easily. What bugs me is the relative severe invasiveness, and potential danger, for what should just be a simple canister swap. I replaced the fuel filter on my 1988 Civic in ten minutes. It plainly accessible on the firewall in the engine room, and slightly taller and narrower than a small tuna can. It was a snap. Fuel spilling was on the order of teaspoons. Now, I've got to risk incinerating myself and my car, not to mention further contaminating the tank, if I ever need to replace this filter.

[88 LE]

^ Atleast you don't have to drop the tank to get to the pump.

Gen 2's don't have a access panel underneath the back seat. Gotta drop the tank.

[ekpolk]

Originally posted by 88 LE
^ Atleast you don't have to drop the tank to get to the pump.

Gen 2's don't have a access panel underneath the back seat. Gotta drop the tank.

ok, I will now humbly slink back under my rock thanking my lucky stars that I don't own a tank-dropper! I think if I were you, I'd be stretching a few layers of cheese cloth over the filler nozzle each time I filled up. That's incredibly stupid! Toyota designs are supposed to be more intelligent than that!