Fuel filter replacement

[BonesD]

I was thinking about replacing the fuel filter on my 96 Avalon but read the following on the web, any truth to this statement? 98 % seems like a pretty high failure rate.

<LI class=comment itxtNodeId="201" itxtHarvested="0">Question: Why are you changing the filter? Are you having drivability issues? Changing the filter is not recommended unless you have a fuel contamination issue. The reason: If you take the filter off, you have a 98% chance of needing to replace the fuel line from the fuel tank to the filter, because the threads on the fuel line are going to be stripped out when the filter is removed.

I want to change it because the engine will sometimes die at a stop light. RPM's drop and if I am not quick enough on the throttle it will die.

Thank you

[Ted Striker]

The symptoms of a clogged fuel filter are bogging down on acceleration and maybe bucking a little while cruising. Low idle or cutting off a stops are not. Filter failures even with high mileage are pretty rare.

2 common possibilities: bad idle control motor, EGR valve stuck open(less likely)

When cold does your car have a fast idle? 1500 or so rpm? If not id lean to IAC motor. Sometimes you can disassemble the throttle body and clean it out, but if you go to all that trouble you might as well replace it. There are no dtcs for this on a 96, so your CEL won't come on for it.

[BonesD]

267,000 plus miles. Runs and accerates like a scalded dog. Rpm's are constant except upon failure. I will look into the IACmotor.
Thank you for the response. By the way I have done nothing except replace suspension, steering, and the odd sensor along the way. We boought the car with 105,000 on it and have not even replaced the plugs.
Fantastic automobiles.

[daw22]

I would agree that the likelihood of damaging the fuel line if you try to change the filter is high. The problem is where the metal line is attached to the underside of the filter. If it does get damaged there, however, you don't have to replace the whole line back to the tank. You can cut the metal line and make a new piece to run from the filter to the cut and then splice the pieces back together. It's still a pain though.

[BonesD]

Thanks for the answer on the fuel line. Nothing worse than creating problems when trying to fix others.
My daughters Tacoma has a similar problem and tomorrow I am going to clean her MAF sensor and do the Sea Foam cleaning trick on the the throttle body. I don't know if this will also get to the IAC or not but I will give it a try first and see what happens. I imagine I will do the same on the Avalon as its a cheap and simple approach and hopefully solution. Can't hurt anyway.
Thanks for the replies guys,
Bones

[TedL]

Without getting to the difficulties of changing the filter, I think the throubleshooting logic needs to be addressed.

A plugged fuel filter would reduce fuel flow. Fuel demand is greatest during heavy acceleration. No problem reported in these circumstances by OP. Fuel demand is lowest at idle. This is the situation where OP reports problems. The vehicle has an electric fuel pump, giving essentially constant pressure. There is not a problem with the fuel getting through the filter.

[BonesD]

I was thinking of changing the fuel filter as one of the threads I was directed to gave that as a possibility.
I have gotten enough negative responses on this to stear me in a different direction. Since the vehicle runs great under load I would agree with all of the responses above and sure do appreciate each one. I had another thread going with similar problems with my daughters Tacoma and the answers here should apply to both. Thanks to all
Now if it will quit raining I will go out and see if I can accomplish something.

Bones.

[BonesD]

Well I did the kids 99 Tacoma. The MAF sensor wire looked like a dirty welding rod. Basicly round in apperance. I hosed it down with some MAF cleaner and discovered the true shape of the small flat wire sensor. I can beleive that I did some great good with this cleaning. I also did the Sea Foam spray cleaner on the throttle body. The Rpm's at idle are anout 100 higher. In drive at a stop light I thought the engine was dead. Can you say Smoooooth. Anyway, I will do the wife's Avalon when she gets home tonight and hopefully have the same results, thanks again to all who contributed.
Bones