noob: fuel filter, 95 2.2 camry, top 'banjo bolt' as jammed as... - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

poiter_mcd · 05-12-2007, 04:31 AM

Howdy all,
Rather noob here (I change oils/filters and that's about all, but i'm looking to do more).
First change of fuel filter on this camry - last one done by toyota service people during warranty.
I cannot for the life of me undo the 'banjo washer' (what the repair manual calls it) on the top of the fuel filter - it's as solid/stuck as.
If I put a heap of force, the top bracket part appears to start bending out of shape.
Anyone else has this? Any suggestions?

(I've removed the air inlet hose etc to get a bit more room to swing the spanner).

thanks heaps for any suggestions.
cya
Poiter

Stillrunning · 05-12-2007, 07:13 AM

Use a backup wrench on the nut on the body of the filter. Brace the wrench against the engine using a block of wood. You may need a helper to hold the wrench in postion. Use a 1/2" drive socket with extension so you get good leverage. If you think the banjo bolt is tough, wait until you try the flare nut on the bottom.

RedPhoenix · 05-12-2007, 10:08 AM

push harder, hit with hammer, liquid wrench

bronzemaxell · 05-12-2007, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by poiter_mcd

Howdy all,
Rather noob here (I change oils/filters and that's about all, but i'm looking to do more).
First change of fuel filter on this camry - last one done by toyota service people during warranty.
I cannot for the life of me undo the 'banjo washer' (what the repair manual calls it) on the top of the fuel filter - it's as solid/stuck as.
If I put a heap of force, the top bracket part appears to start bending out of shape.
Anyone else has this? Any suggestions?

(I've removed the air inlet hose etc to get a bit more room to swing the spanner).

thanks heaps for any suggestions.
cya
Poiter

i use two wrenches for top bolt, put a 19mm open end wrench to hold the fuel filter in addition to the wrench on top, then squeeze the two wrench together hard, extend wrench handle if you need more force, it worked for me , don't rely on bracket, that bracket is weak,

poiter_mcd · 05-12-2007, 06:36 PM

thanks heaps everyone. Will give it another whirl next weekend.
cya
Poiter

Blackhawk3D · 05-12-2007, 09:06 PM

Once you've got your backup wrenches braced to the motor, get a long pipe, say 3' and slip it over the end of the wrench you are using, that gives you a ton of torque without being violent, which keeps you from breaking things.

leasaunce · 05-13-2007, 03:42 AM

the fuel filter can be tricky, but yeah if you have the right tools, its a piece of cake.

lenjack · 05-13-2007, 02:01 PM

It can be difficult to line up the threads on the replacement without cross-threading. Attach top and bottom loosely before you tighten

poiter_mcd · 05-13-2007, 05:18 PM

thanks again everyone for the tips. Much appreciated.

poiter_mcd · 05-21-2007, 02:06 AM

Hey guys,
thought i'd post a final update for those searching later on.

Got the top banjo bolt off easily in the end - just used a 17mm socket and a long extension on my ratchet (there's more elbow room above the level of the engine). Had to give it a bit of muscle, but didn't need a pipe or anything.

However, as 'stillrunning' pointed out, the bottom bolt was a bastard. It seems to be a weird size (bigger than 13mm, and smaller than 14mm), and I don't have a full set of non-metric open-ended spanners (seemed weird that the top would be metric, and the bottom non-metric??).
When I couldn't budge it, and the spanner I was using was starting to cut into the bolt a bit, I stopped, and gave up on it. Took it to the local mechanic who did it for $20 (australian). I was happy when he told me that it was "bloody tight" - made me think i'm not too much of an idiot.

TIP!! for any other noob trying it...keep an eye on the washers if you get like me and only half get it off. The bottom washer on the top bolt got lost somewhere, and I had to put it back with a new washer. Not a major drama, but a pain.

Thanks again for all the tips everyone, and hope this helps someone in the future.

cya
Poiter

88 LE · 05-21-2007, 04:16 AM

To remove the flare nut fitting on the bottom of the filter, you can use 2 wrenches. A wrench on the fitting and another to hold the filter. Theres a hex shaped portion on the filter that you can put a wrench on.

As for the washers on the banjo bolt (top bolt), your suppose to replace them. Their a crush type washer.

Heat · 05-21-2007, 11:00 AM

What size is the flare nut on the bottom?

From what I’ve picked up, the banjo bolt is 17mm and you also need a 19mm open ended wrench to hold the filter. I am just trying to figure out exactly which tools I would need when I get around to changing my Camry’s fuel filter (just got it a month ago, ’95 LE I4 with about 155,000 miles). And the crush washer I guess is from the dealer?

I am new to my Camry but last fall I changed the fuel filter on my ’93 Volvo (940 turbo wagon). On that it is standard procedure to have wrenches to hold the filter while you are working on the bolts. Of course I busted a fuel line, had to wait four days for the replacement part (you can’t get Volvo parts in auto parts stores), and a cold front came through dropping the temp to about 15º F (-9º C) but by that point I had new connections so I wasn't under the car for too long. Oh, and the wrenches needed to hold the filter? 27mm and 22mm. Yeah, right, like I had a 27mm or a 22mm open end wrench just laying around. Well, actually, now I do. Craftsman too, I couldn’t find any other brand that carried those sizes.

poiter_mcd · 05-21-2007, 05:36 PM

Hey heat,
Size of flare nut on bottom? I've read elsewhere 14mm, but either my 14mm open end spanner was too small, or ... ???

I had a 19mm ready to go, but in the end didn't need it. The 17mm top banjo bolt came off with just a little extra muscle.

The crush washers come with the filter (ie I bought mine from toyota and it came with 2 - both needed - dunno about after market filters).

I read elsewhere that I may have been being stupid, and the bottom nut is 'upside down' therefore needs to be turned "the other way". Might look into this with the corolla i've also got to do.

LOL re the 27mm open ended spanner!! Dunno if you'll get this (volvo's have a reputation in australia) but did you have to have a hat on when changing the filter in the volvo?

good luck - post back with how you go.

cya
Poiter

Stillrunning · 05-22-2007, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Heat

What size is the flare nut on the bottom?

I can confirm the flare nut is a 14mm. I think if it seems in between 13mm & 14mm it has probably been rounded by the last guy who didn't use a flare nut wrench. Don't forget to make sure you're turning it the right way. It is upside down so you would need to turn it CW as you face it from the top.