97 Tercel: Been sitting, runs rough, ODD PROBLEM..read on...

On 3 Nov 2006 01:37:13 -0800, "Dr. Chicago" <lee.kevin@comcast.net>
wrote:
[color=blue]
>All filters and ignition parts are
>allegedly no more than 20k old.[/color]

I don't have my factory manual handy (mine's a '96) to check on how
often the fuel filter is supposed to be done. However, I did just do
mine last night, and if one believes the information on the side of
the box that the new one came in, Purolator seems to think it should
be done every 12K.

"Joe Schmuckatelli" <no@no.no> wrote in message
news:4m1nk250bho8lo8i8qghs0s88m9npseeeb@4ax.com...[color=blue]
> On 3 Nov 2006 01:37:13 -0800, "Dr. Chicago" <lee.kevin@comcast.net>
> wrote:
>[color=green]
>>All filters and ignition parts are
>>allegedly no more than 20k old.[/color]
>
> I don't have my factory manual handy (mine's a '96) to check on how
> often the fuel filter is supposed to be done. However, I did just do
> mine last night, and if one believes the information on the side of
> the box that the new one came in, Purolator seems to think it should
> be done every 12K.
>[/color]

The 97 Tercel does not require routine fuel filter replacement under normal
conditions and is not listed as a maintenance item.
--

Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)

On Fri, 3 Nov 2006 12:59:19 -0600, "Ray O"
<rokigawaATtristarassociatesDOTcom> wrote:
[color=blue]
>The 97 Tercel does not require routine fuel filter replacement under normal
>conditions and is not listed as a maintenance item.[/color]

How interesting. I know that when I pulled the old one last night,
when I looked into the top, the filter element was a nice shade of
brown, as compared to the white of the new one. (The old one was in
there *much* longer than 12,000.)

Add to this my previous experience with my Mazda 323; driving home one
day after work, when the engine died suddenly. Ended up being
assisted by a person at a nearby store (automotive related somehow, I
can't remember exactly); while trying to troubleshoot the problem, he
checked the fuel coming out of the filter, didn't like what he saw,
and chewed my butt for not having changed the filter.

While I've got your attention, just how difficult is it supposed to be
to wrench in the bottom fitting on the filter? Both times that I've
done it with this car, it's been extremely tight all the way, both
coming out and going back in on the new one. The top bolt had no such
problem.

"Joe Schmuckatelli" <no@no.no> wrote in message
news:2dank2l7fgoegs2q8h9654qins95s6cr8i@4ax.com...[color=blue]
> On Fri, 3 Nov 2006 12:59:19 -0600, "Ray O"
> <rokigawaATtristarassociatesDOTcom> wrote:
>[color=green]
>>The 97 Tercel does not require routine fuel filter replacement under
>>normal
>>conditions and is not listed as a maintenance item.[/color]
>
> How interesting. I know that when I pulled the old one last night,
> when I looked into the top, the filter element was a nice shade of
> brown, as compared to the white of the new one. (The old one was in
> there *much* longer than 12,000.)
>
> Add to this my previous experience with my Mazda 323; driving home one
> day after work, when the engine died suddenly. Ended up being
> assisted by a person at a nearby store (automotive related somehow, I
> can't remember exactly); while trying to troubleshoot the problem, he
> checked the fuel coming out of the filter, didn't like what he saw,
> and chewed my butt for not having changed the filter.[/color]

Purolator will recommend frequent changes because the sell filters. Fuel
filter replacement used to be a maintenance item back in the olden days but
is not as common on Toyotas.
[color=blue]
>
> While I've got your attention, just how difficult is it supposed to be
> to wrench in the bottom fitting on the filter? Both times that I've
> done it with this car, it's been extremely tight all the way, both
> coming out and going back in on the new one. The top bolt had no such
> problem.
>[/color]

Connecting and disconnecting the fittings on a fuel injected Toyota is
always a lot of work. The fittings are usually so tight they seem welded
and if you are not careful, your fuel line will look like a licorice stick.
If you keep in mind that the filter is not intended to be replaced
routinely, then the difficulty is not such a big deal.

Use flare nut wrenches to avoid damaging the fittings or the fuel line.
--

Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)

On Fri, 3 Nov 2006 15:07:43 -0600, "Ray O"
<rokigawaATtristarassociatesDOTcom> wrote:
[color=blue]
>Purolator will recommend frequent changes because they sell filters.[/color]

That's pretty much a given. :-)
[color=blue]
>The fittings are usually so tight they seem welded
>and if you are not careful, your fuel line will look like a licorice stick.[/color]

I was worried that I might have been crossthreading the blasted thing.
[color=blue]
>If you keep in mind that the filter is not intended to be replaced
>routinely, then the difficulty is not such a big deal.
>
>Use flare nut wrenches to avoid damaging the fittings or the fuel line.[/color]

That bit of wisdom I *must* keep in mind.

On Fri, 03 Nov 2006 01:44:15 -0800, Dr. Chicago wrote:
[color=blue]
> Oh, and most importantly, did I mention that it's a BlackHawk?
> Heh-Heh! There ya go. Now you know everything :-)[/color]


Yeah, I think I should come and take it off your hands. Have a check ready
for $125 when I get there... ;)

"Joe Schmuckatelli" <no@no.no> wrote in message
news:85nnk2d7nqu448nhsqma3g81r80iu70bog@4ax.com...[color=blue]
> On Fri, 3 Nov 2006 15:07:43 -0600, "Ray O"
> <rokigawaATtristarassociatesDOTcom> wrote:
>[color=green]
>>Purolator will recommend frequent changes because they sell filters.[/color]
>
> That's pretty much a given. :-)
>[color=green]
>>The fittings are usually so tight they seem welded
>>and if you are not careful, your fuel line will look like a licorice
>>stick.[/color]
>
> I was worried that I might have been crossthreading the blasted thing.
>[color=green]
>>If you keep in mind that the filter is not intended to be replaced
>>routinely, then the difficulty is not such a big deal.
>>
>>Use flare nut wrenches to avoid damaging the fittings or the fuel line.[/color]
>
> That bit of wisdom I *must* keep in mind.
>[/color]

The last fuel filter I had to change on a personal car was a '72 Chevelle,
it has a stone filter that fit in the base of the carb. That thing would
clog about once a month, I bought the filters by the dozen and could swap it
out in about 2 minutes. Our '97 Avalon still has the original filter and
runs fine.
--

Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)