Camry fuel filter = worst ever - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

ghunt · 12-13-2011, 11:43 AM

I went to do a little routine maintenance on my car over the weekend- new plugs & wires and new fuel filter.

Plugs and wires were easy- funny side note with that, the #3 spark plug was not even hand tight, in fact I think it was loose, and you could see all up the spark plug boot where combustion gases had been escaping around the plug!

Anyway, I figured the fuel filter would be an easy job and it ended up taking me over an hour. It's in a terrible position to work on, and...a banjo bolt on top and a FLARE fitting on the bottom? Really? Apparently they didn't make these to be easily changed. I had to fight with that damn flare nut, probably because I couldn't even see it. Maybe that's why it looked like it hadn't been touched in years. I'm used to working on Fords where you pop out a couple clips, slide the hoses off, and swap out filters in 15 minutes tops. I was cursing Toyota for that little gem.

Stillrunning · 12-13-2011, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ghunt

I'm used to working on Fords

That would be because they require a lot of work.

***Eye8Pussies*** · 12-13-2011, 03:00 PM

the fuel filter is definitely a bitch to work on- but with a good set of locking pliers and a generous amount of pbblaster, it becomes a lot easier

***fenixus*** · 12-13-2011, 03:10 PM

2 wrenches is all you need for that fuel filter's bottom flare nut.
a flare nut wrench (forgot size, 14mm or 17mm probably) and a 19mm or 3/4'' regular supporting wrench.

never a problem, worked like a charm on both solaras.

cmryhldr · 12-13-2011, 04:14 PM

Next time if you remove the air filter box life will be much easier.

93cr250 · 12-13-2011, 05:00 PM

had no problems with mine on my gen 3, of course the motor was not in the car at the time

dusterbd13 · 12-13-2011, 08:49 PM

ok. stup[id question:
on my 99 2.2 camry, where is the fuel filter?
previous owner never changed it, and neither have i. he bought the car at 40K, i bought it at 160, its now got 230. probably due.

cmryhldr · 12-13-2011, 08:52 PM

Below the master cylinder.

ghunt · 12-14-2011, 12:06 PM

Well, I noticed that the way the filter is oriented, the hard line gets a little bound up and for whatever reason the flare nut comes out and goes back in very tough. It turned easy for about one full turn, then I had to wrench on it real good to get it the rest of the way out, and you don't have tons of room to work down there. It is 14mm, also. The flare nut was what I felt like I had to fight coming off and going back on, especially since you can't really see it.

And I removed the airbox while reinstalling the filter...did not make anything any easier.

Doug S · 12-14-2011, 07:01 PM

ghunt,

Just did mine a couple months ago, exact same thing, that bottom fitting turned easy for a turn or so and then it felt like I was stripping it. Had to turn it about 1/8 of a turn at a time, Same going back on the new filter. I think I cursed for a straight hour until I finally got it tight and it did not leak.

They call it a "forever filter", not because it lasts forever but because it takes that long to change...LOL

Doug

***JohnGD*** · 12-14-2011, 10:36 PM

Ford fuel filters are very easy to change, but the o-ring quick connects and other garter spring connectors IMO are just plain flimsy. But I think banjo fittings are the best. That said manufacturers bean counters won.

Unless there are rust or damage the flare nuts should be easy to turn.

Nark · 12-15-2011, 12:53 AM

With the right tools and persistent you can relocate it to your convenient. You don't have to play by Toyota rules all the time, U know?

Hajoca · 12-15-2011, 10:31 AM

With the air box removed ( 5 min) I changed my 98 fuel filter in about 10 minutes. The 2000 model uses a quick connect which makes it even easier.

***fenixus*** · 12-15-2011, 10:56 AM

yeah, I can't even imagine how to do this with air box in place. I always remove it first and once I have clear access to fuel filter from top it takes no time to replace it.

it helps to loosen the fuel pressure before you get there though.

simple procedure:
a) on idling car, open the main fuse box and remove the blue 15A EFI fuse, it disables the fuel pump and EFI circuit, so car will die from no fuel (and spark for that matter)
b) turn the ignition key to off and remove
c) open the fuel door and loosen the fuel cap to release pressure/vacuum

this way when you loosen the fuel filter fittings, the spill will be minimal.

btw, I have no quick-disconnect on Solara 2000 4cyl, only my 2002 SOlara V6 has it (on top of filter, bottom is flare nut).

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hajoca

With the air box removed ( 5 min) I changed my 98 fuel filter in about 10 minutes. The 2000 model uses a quick connect which makes it even easier.

ghunt · 12-16-2011, 06:07 AM

I seriously don't see how removing the airbox really makes any of the process any easier. I took out the intake hose and related vacuum fittings OVER the filter but the box itself really wasn't in the way. Access to the bottom flare nut pretty much is what it is whether the airbox is in there or not.

What's the point of putting a quick disconnect on one end if the other end is still a flare nut?