Unable to remove fuel filter - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

skewe · 10-01-2005, 08:39 PM

Hi.

This sounds like a NOOB question.
I have removed 2 fuel filters, one for gen 3 and one for gen4 - both my cars.

I was helping my friend remove the fuel filter for a 99 solara and i am not able to undo the bottom bolt. I used a flair ranch, one to stabilize it and one to uninstall it but it did not budge.

Any suggestions.

Used WD40 also.
after 1.5 hours, i threw in the towel. I am going for round 2 tomorrow morning, suggestions are welcomed.

brink · 10-01-2005, 08:58 PM

are you sure you're not trying to loosen the pseudo-nut that's built onto the filter? There's a bit that hexagonal shaped, but it doesn't turn.

skewe · 10-01-2005, 09:05 PM

no. not the nut built into the filter.
i am trying to remove the nut that goes under that nut you just mentioned.

using a flair ranch but i got 3 guys to take turns to try to loosen it..
did not budge.

i used a 9/16 flair ranch for that bottom nut.

V6LE_CAMRY · 10-01-2005, 09:21 PM

try ussing those plier that i think are called pressusure pliers. i used those to get it out on my cam.

Gary_602Z · 10-01-2005, 11:27 PM

Sounds like that the fuel line is corroded into the nut that screws into the filter! Take your WD-40 and thow it into the trash!

(it is worthless). Go buy some PB Blaster and spray it down good then keep tapping on the fitting/filter with a hammer or something to set up a vibration to let the PB Blaster wick into it. Sray and tap for a while then using your line wrench take it off. You may have to use a piece of pipe or something to extend your leverage on the wrench. If it don't come you may have to replace the fuel line and fitting. Only use pressure pliers or vice grips as a last resort as they will ruin the nut.

Gary

skewe · 10-02-2005, 09:35 AM

i m not intending to use pliers yet as that might strip the bolt.
tried again this morning and it did not budge. might be returning the fuel filter

foompla · 10-02-2005, 12:09 PM

using the right size wrench might be a good start.

SnakeyeS · 10-02-2005, 12:15 PM

Use a blow torch

No seriously, don't. You could try Liquid Wrench, its a penetrating spray for stuck bolts.

Hajoca · 10-02-2005, 02:33 PM

Did you take out the air filter box? it gives you much more room to work in and get better leverage. Both my 98 and 00 came off with a sharp crack using one flare nut wrench on the bottom fitting and an open end wrench on the nut.

If you have a crows foot wrench and a long extension(s) you can see if you can put your ratchet on there.

***Tercel GTS*** · 10-02-2005, 03:12 PM

I had to use 2 pipe wrenches(plumbing) on a chevy filter this week.

Super Kaioken · 10-02-2005, 03:16 PM

when should you change the fuel filter? i have no clue where mine is.

***RningOnFumes*** · 10-02-2005, 07:03 PM

me thinks when you do the pcv valve.

skewe · 10-02-2005, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by foompla

using the right size wrench might be a good start.

Did that, unfortunately, that did not work.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tercel GTS

I had to use 2 pipe wrenches(plumbing) on a chevy filter this week.

onlyy problems is that it will not fit...as in the plumbing pipes as the space is too tight.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hojoca

Did you take out the air filter box? it gives you much more room to work in and get better leverage. Both my 98 and 00 came off with a sharp crack using one flare nut wrench on the bottom fitting and an open end wrench on the nut.

If you have a crows foot wrench and a long extension(s) you can see if you can put your ratchet on there.

Yes, I removed the filter box.
I have removed it on a 93 and 2000 w/o any problems. flare wrench used both occassions but this time, it will budge.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Super Kaioken

when should you change the fuel filter? i have no clue where mine is.

Haynes manual suggest, 24 months or 15k miles.
i have never done it for my gen 3 till 168k.

Super Kaioken · 10-03-2005, 01:35 PM

are you serious .......15K miles? i should really change mine then. i'm up to about 49K. where is this fuel filter at? got pictures?

Gary_602Z · 10-03-2005, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Super Kaioken

are you serious .......15K miles? i should really change mine then. i'm up to about 49K. where is this fuel filter at? got pictures?

Geez a quick search shows to look under the airbox! Worse comes to worse just follow the fuel lines back towards the fuel tank! Maybe a manual would be of some help also.

Gary