Fuel Filter Tip/How To
I know there are several other posts on here about fuel filter replacement/problems and i'm not discrediting any of them because they helped me, but i just wanted to throw my 2 cents out there for anyone who's had a similar problem.
so i attempted to get my original fuel filter off my 2000 v6 once before with regular box wrenches and it wasnt coming off. i then looked at midias' post and decided i had to try harder to get it off before cutting the line. i went out monday and dropped $30 on a set of craftsmen flare nut wrenches which are definitely a must have for anyone who works on their own car. anyway...once i had the wrenches getting the filter off took 5 minutes. the disastrous part was with the installation of the POS $18 purolator filter i had bought. after i installed it it was leaking EVERYWHERE. after putting it on and take it off 5 times it would not seal. i now had a nice puddle of gas making me nauseous inside my garage. so i gave up, went to the toyota dealer the next day and dropped twice as much money on a toyota fuel filter which conveniently comes in a new bracket. went home and it went right on leak free. anyway i figure i might as well make this a how to/tutorial for anyone planning on changing their filter soon.
0. remove the fuel cap to relieve fuel system pressure.
1. remove your entire factory airbox and hose or intake if you have an aftermarket one. a 10mm socket should take care of all of this.
2. with the intake out of the way you have plenty of room to access the fuel filter from the drivers side on the engine bay.
3. at the top outflow hose of the filter there is a plastic cover that needs to be removed to access the quick disconnect fitting. squeeze the side of it and wiggle it and it should come off. you can use a small flat head screwdriver to help pop it off if necessary.
4. you will see two white tabs on the "plug" going into the top of the filter. squeeze them together and the hose should slide off. be prepared for a small amount of gas to come out.
5. now for the stubborn part... take a 19mm box wrench or flare if you have it and put it on the nut at the bottom of the filter. then take the 14mm flare nut wrench and put on the fitting on the incoming fuel line at the bottom of the filter. next take a use the 19mm just to help support the filter. pull the 14mm toward the fender to loosen the fitting. it will probably be difficult. if need be hook another wrench over the end of the 14mm for more leverage. finally, be prepared to bust your knuckles.
6. once the fitting is lose unscrew it. some more gas will leak out. now loosen the 10mm nuts on the filter bracket that attach it to the side of the engine bay. also, disconnect the wire harness attached to the bracket. pull out the old filter assembly.
7. install is the reverse procedure. only thing is put the button fuel line on first before attaching the filter and push up on the line against the filter while tightening to make sure it is properly seated. give alltrac92 credit for that tip.... finally bolt up the bracket, snap on the outgoing hose and you're done.
moral of the story, its better to pay $40 for something that works than $20 for something that doesnt....
so i attempted to get my original fuel filter off my 2000 v6 once before with regular box wrenches and it wasnt coming off. i then looked at midias' post and decided i had to try harder to get it off before cutting the line. i went out monday and dropped $30 on a set of craftsmen flare nut wrenches which are definitely a must have for anyone who works on their own car. anyway...once i had the wrenches getting the filter off took 5 minutes. the disastrous part was with the installation of the POS $18 purolator filter i had bought. after i installed it it was leaking EVERYWHERE. after putting it on and take it off 5 times it would not seal. i now had a nice puddle of gas making me nauseous inside my garage. so i gave up, went to the toyota dealer the next day and dropped twice as much money on a toyota fuel filter which conveniently comes in a new bracket. went home and it went right on leak free. anyway i figure i might as well make this a how to/tutorial for anyone planning on changing their filter soon.
0. remove the fuel cap to relieve fuel system pressure.
1. remove your entire factory airbox and hose or intake if you have an aftermarket one. a 10mm socket should take care of all of this.
2. with the intake out of the way you have plenty of room to access the fuel filter from the drivers side on the engine bay.
3. at the top outflow hose of the filter there is a plastic cover that needs to be removed to access the quick disconnect fitting. squeeze the side of it and wiggle it and it should come off. you can use a small flat head screwdriver to help pop it off if necessary.
4. you will see two white tabs on the "plug" going into the top of the filter. squeeze them together and the hose should slide off. be prepared for a small amount of gas to come out.
5. now for the stubborn part... take a 19mm box wrench or flare if you have it and put it on the nut at the bottom of the filter. then take the 14mm flare nut wrench and put on the fitting on the incoming fuel line at the bottom of the filter. next take a use the 19mm just to help support the filter. pull the 14mm toward the fender to loosen the fitting. it will probably be difficult. if need be hook another wrench over the end of the 14mm for more leverage. finally, be prepared to bust your knuckles.
6. once the fitting is lose unscrew it. some more gas will leak out. now loosen the 10mm nuts on the filter bracket that attach it to the side of the engine bay. also, disconnect the wire harness attached to the bracket. pull out the old filter assembly.
7. install is the reverse procedure. only thing is put the button fuel line on first before attaching the filter and push up on the line against the filter while tightening to make sure it is properly seated. give alltrac92 credit for that tip.... finally bolt up the bracket, snap on the outgoing hose and you're done.
moral of the story, its better to pay $40 for something that works than $20 for something that doesnt....
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BChad200 - Regular SolaraGuy Member
- Posts: 155
- Joined: Tue Nov 27, 2007 9:56 pm
- Location: Germantown MD