Fuel Filter Prob. - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

200kmarcy · 01-31-2005, 04:32 PM

Hello there Toy fans
Did a search and found nothing on this
HELP!!! I can't get the fuel filter out! The Haynes manual says to just remove top and bottom nut and replace. I tryed and can't get either of them off. I recall some one telling me that I had to take out the EFI fuse start the negine for 5sec and shut it off, to take away the pressure from the filter. Is this accurate? What do I have to do?
(A/T 5sfe)

EngineerBoo · 01-31-2005, 05:21 PM

Gosh, how long has it been on there? (I've never had one hard to get off)

Anyway, depending on the vehicle, it might have a pressurized gas tank...which will make gas spray ALL over you if you don't do it right.

Either way, the car MUST be cold before doing it, to relieve any pressure in there...and keep lots of rags/paper towels handy just in case. (Of course, NO smoking or any source of spark in the area.)

I don't bother with the fuel filters, anymore...I just pay my mechanic to do it. (I don't like messing with gas....seen too many backyard mechanics get burned.)

Good luck!

Boo

lenjack · 01-31-2005, 09:55 PM

these filters can be notoriously difficult to remove and even more so to replace.

JetspeedCamry · 01-31-2005, 09:59 PM

Remove the vehicles gas cap to relieve the system pressure.
Brace the filter with something and just keep tryn to get those bolts off.
They are tight, but they should just come off.

ekim55121 · 02-01-2005, 01:10 AM

there are bolts that hold the filter to the chasi of the car that the repair manul dosent mention, or you can just experiment on the junk yard cars i do that all the time so i dont mess up my primary mode of transportation

felkajamine · 02-01-2005, 01:23 AM

i've seen this problem a few times at work (valvoline) and on some of these cars the fuel filters have been on there for so long that it's pretty much impossible to get them off, mainly cause of rusted bolts and stuff, but if a filter has been on for a long time and has rust build-up then it will be a pain to get off, and that's if you get 'em off

ohh yea, also did you remember to take the gas cap off, that may be a reason why it's so hard to come off

96CamrySport · 02-01-2005, 04:13 PM

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I was in your shoes 3000 miles ago, tried to do the Chilton four-step method, IT DOESN'T WORK THAT WAY!!!

. I called around and we actually have a competent Toyota mechanic in this little town; he said the ONLY tool he has found to get it off without damage (usually) is a Snap-on 19mm crow's foot extension on the bottom and a 17mm (probably also snapon) on the top. I managed to get the filter loose before it got stuck. I guess the gas line nut goes on so tight it deforms

. If you haven't managed to budge the nuts, stop trying, take it to a competent and appropriately priced Toyota mechanic. It'll cost less than the towing bill when you can't re tighten it. My understanding is that this tightness has nothing to do with age or rust, just too damn tight. Unfortunately, it has to be so that the ~56psi in the line when starting doesn't spray all over.

Good luck to you.

jjanari · 02-01-2005, 04:50 PM

ditto on the above responses. being extremely careful getting the filter off. I had some difficulty getting it off and, in the process, I deformed the gas line resulting in a leak with the new filter. the result: a tow to a local mechanic to cut the deformed piece out, splice a new one in, and use a new filter from a ford or something like that = $120.00. You can do it youself, but use the right tools and don't use too much force.