HELP!!! changing fuel filter.

[shanzhu1]

Hi,

I am changing fuel filter for my 96 camry v6. The upper bonjo bolt has been
removed.

But for the lower nut, I already broke it loose. But after 1-2 turns it stuck.
I made sure it is right direction (I already broke it loose). It seems that
the thread inside is kind of distorted. I am afraid of using too much force
that might cause the bolt to be rounded.

I do use flare wrench. What should I do?

Thanks,

SZ

[shanzhu1]

No one sees this before?

Originally Posted by shanzhu1

Hi,

I am changing fuel filter for my 96 camry v6. The upper bonjo bolt has been
removed.

But for the lower nut, I already broke it loose. But after 1-2 turns it stuck.
I made sure it is right direction (I already broke it loose). It seems that
the thread inside is kind of distorted. I am afraid of using too much force
that might cause the bolt to be rounded.

I do use flare wrench. What should I do?

Thanks,

SZ

[wiccanferret]

I've changed a few fuel filters, but that's new to me...

[bronzemaxell]

Originally Posted by wiccanferret

I've changed a few fuel filters, but that's new to me...

i've changed a few fuel filters, and the last one i changed was the same thing as you described, on a 97 2.2L, the nut was loose, but still can not loose by hand, so i ended use the flare wrench and loose the nuts all the way until it come out, i'ved applied a great amount of force on the wrenches as well, and after it came off, i look at the nut and the thread, they seems to be ok, so i applied some anti-seize on the thread, and putting a new one on was the same thing, i couldn't turn the nut just by hand, i had to use the wrench and tighten it all the way, and i was afraid it might leak, but so far no leak, no wet, no gas smell, i guess i am ok.

i am still wondering why the nut and thread is so tight on this one. i've changed a few others, and it wasn't like this, i was able to just hand tight, then use wrench to tighten it more.

[shanzhu1]

Thanks for the reply.

In my case, after 1-2 turns, it would be so tight that I feel I might be
able to round the nut. I used a flare wrench (14mm) and a backup wrench
for holding the filter. Then, I use one hand holding both of them to get
them together. I used the same way to break it loose. But it is not good
enough to take it off!

By the way, is the lower nut part of the fuel line? Can it be replaced
after the filter is taken off?

Thanks,

SZ

Originally Posted by bronzemaxell

i've changed a few fuel filters, and the last one i changed was the same thing as you described, on a 97 2.2L, the nut was loose, but still can not loose by hand, so i ended use the flare wrench and loose the nuts all the way until it come out, i'ved applied a great amount of force on the wrenches as well, and after it came off, i look at the nut and the thread, they seems to be ok, so i applied some anti-seize on the thread, and putting a new one on was the same thing, i couldn't turn the nut just by hand, i had to use the wrench and tighten it all the way, and i was afraid it might leak, but so far no leak, no wet, no gas smell, i guess i am ok.

i am still wondering why the nut and thread is so tight on this one. i've changed a few others, and it wasn't like this, i was able to just hand tight, then use wrench to tighten it more.

[bronzemaxell]

i also used the 14mm flare wrench, and an open ended 19mm on the buttom of the fuel filter nut by squeezing the two wrenches together, i did verified i was turning in loose direction, and i was not able to just use one hand, i have to use two hands to squeeze the entire time, it was stuck very hard, i used wd40, liquid wrench, pb blaster, but didn't help much, i did unplug the EFI fuse, and loosen the gas cap, but still a little gasoline dripped out while i was undoing the nut.

the lower nut is attached with the fuel line, if it was stripped or rounded, i believe the fuel line will need to be replaced.


i inspected mine carefully after the fuel filter came off, the nut was not strip or round, it was just tight. took me 2 hours to finished the whole job, i hope i will never need to change that filter again.

Originally Posted by shanzhu1

Thanks for the reply.

In my case, after 1-2 turns, it would be so tight that I feel I might be
able to round the nut. I used a flare wrench (14mm) and a backup wrench
for holding the filter. Then, I use one hand holding both of them to get
them together. I used the same way to break it loose. But it is not good
enough to take it off!

By the way, is the lower nut part of the fuel line? Can it be replaced
after the filter is taken off?

Thanks,

SZ

[Stillrunning]

I believe what may be happening is the flare nut has been expanded where it meets the flare of the pipe. Sealing of a flare fitting is done when the two 45* or 371/2* (not sure which) flares tighten on each other. Many people over tighten these fittings. If the last person to change the fuel filter really torqued the flare nut against the flare on the inside of the filter they may have caused it to deform. Just a theory, but something happened. On re-assembly it's also important to square the nut and filter fitting to get it finger started. If the flare nut thread has been damaged you could conceivably cut the pipe above the nut to remove the flare and install a new nut then
re-flare the pipe. You would need enough additional pipe to do this, not to mention space to work in.

[shanzhu1]

Thanks for the info. The current one is the original one and was never
changed.

My current difficulty is that I don't how much force I can use before the nut
starts to strip. The risk is that if it starts to strip, then I may not be able
to re-tighten it and the car becomes un-drivable.

I don't have the tool to flare the line if I need to cut it. Don't know if that
is easy to do.

Anyone know if the fuel line is easy to change in case I do need to cut
the line (or strip the nut)?

Thanks

SZ

[dc_98_cam]

Originally Posted by shanzhu1

Thanks for the info. The current one is the original one and was never
changed.

My current difficulty is that I don't how much force I can use before the nut
starts to strip. The risk is that if it starts to strip, then I may not be able
to re-tighten it and the car becomes un-drivable.

I don't have the tool to flare the line if I need to cut it. Don't know if that
is easy to do.

Anyone know if the fuel line is easy to change in case I do need to cut
the line (or strip the nut)?

Thanks

SZ

In the worst case, you might be able to cut out the damaged fuel line section and replace with a compression coupling type ..... this is just a nut that has a brass ferrule that slips over the original tube.
Before you do this, check with your local parts store to verify that the tube is standardized diameter and the appropriate parts are available.
... You might have to measure the tube and determine what size it is.
Maybe your parts store can suggest something.