97 Camry Lower Fuel Filter Fitting

[waiter]

Like many others who decided to replace their Life Time fuel filter (Toyota couldn't get it off either), I ran into the same problem; I was able to get the lower fitting bumped loose, but it I couldn't get it to turn more than 1/4 turn. I tried the rocking (tighten/loosen) for about 1/2 hour, and still made no headway, The Fuel Fitting just wouldn't come off.

I finally got my tube cutter out and cut the tube (I should have cut it a little closer to the filter). My intention was to find a new fitting, then use a compression fitting to put the two pieces back together.

I spent days trying to find a new fitting, a Male flare nut for use with a double flare tube. This has got to be the most custom fitting in the world, as no-one has it. (personally, I think this is a Toyota Vendor screw-up, and the machine shop just followed the drawing and made the fittings)

Regardless, This fitting does not exist, period. (Its not metric, English, or British)

The original fitting nut has a thread that is very, very close to a 1/4 inch pipe thread, but it isn't tapered like a pipe thread.

OK, I finally said the heck with it and make the 1/4 inch pipe thread work.

A visit to the local Parker Hydraulic store and I bought a right angle 1/4 pipe thread with a 5/16 tube compression fitting.

When the fitting was installed on the bottom of the filter, it had to point in the correct direction, so I would grind off a little and check it. I did this over about 15 minutes and finally had compression fitting pointing in the correct direction when the fitting was snug on the filter. NOTE - I also had to drill out the center of my fitting so it would go up into the filter (wher the ridge is that mates against the original double flare tube)

Once I was satisfied with the fit and direction, I carefully cleaned the threads of the filter and fitting with paint thinner to remove any oil and residue. I then used standard JB weld, and coated a very thin layer of JB weld on the threads inside fuel filter and the outside the fitting. I then put the connector on the filter and snugged it up so it was pointing in the correct direction. Let the Epoxy cure for 24 hours.

Mount the Fuel filter back in its mount, but it needed to be a 1/2 inch lower than the original.

Clean off all the paint from the fuel line using 120 grit paper.

Mount the fuel filter to the wheel well, slide the fuel line as far into the compression fitting as it will go, then tighten the fitting.

Check for leaks.

You now have a Lifetime fuel filter. If you ever need to replace it, you'll need to do the buy another compression fitting and epoxy it to the bottom of the Fuel filter. (I figure I got 230,000 out of the first filter, I seriously doubt I'll be replacing this filter again at 460,000)

I have several photos of the filter and the new lower fitting if there is any interest.

John Mc