Nic

Hello all. This is my first post. So, here it goes:

I've had my truck a little over a year now. Shortly after I bought it, I decided I would change the fuel filter. It's a 1997 Extra Cab 4x4 with 120K miles at present.

Unlike my 1984 Camry, the fuel filter seems impossible to get to. I didn't realize this until after I purchased the filter. Must be some American engineering, or maybe if I were Japanese, I would have no problem getting to it.

The truck runs fine, but I would still like to replace it since it does have over 100k miles on it.

Any advice or help would be appreciated.

cruizin01

I ended up using some stubby wrenches to loosen the lines then a long extension through the wheel well to loosen the bracket and then to re-install it. Not Fun but deffinately Doable

Nic

Thanks. That's kinda what I was thinking. I don't think I will try it at the moment. Maybe later when I can get the nerve up.

jruz

I usually reach up from below.

One trick I've heard is to put a baggy around it...that way you won't get oil leaking down all over your stuff when you pop it off.

Jim

Nic

I couldn't stand it any longer. I decided to change the fuel filter today. Before I started, I made sure I had long enough extensions and a universal joint. I took Dereks advice, but I didn't listen to him about the stubby wrench. I should have listened.

It turned out I could loosen the front plug on the filter with my standard length wrench, but I couldn't get the rear one to budge, mostly because I had no room to work. So, I had to put my tire back and tools up and drove to Sears to purchase a 10 dollar 17mm stubby wrench.

When I got set up again, I discovered I still couldn't get the rear plug off with the stubby. I pulled so hard trying to break it loose, the housing of my filter bent. Things were getting serious at this point. I started to quit since I was scared I may puncture the filter and be in a world of hurt. However, I ended up removing the plug on the other end of the line where it goes into the intake up top. I was then able to pull the filter out with the line attched and get the rear plug off with my standard wrench and a crescent wrench. I then installed the new one in reverse.

Bolting back on was not that bad. What was unusual was that the bolts holding my filter on to the engine were about to fall out! They were completely loose. It was just a matter of time before they woud have been lost.

Some people are saying that Toyota filters are good for life. This is a cross section of the one I just changed. My truck has 120,000 miles on it. 10,000 of which I have put on it.

http://community.webshots.com/photo/...18292209CbHfPR

platform389

Yep, change mine every 25,000 miles. Some pointers learned along the way.

1) I use a mini ratchet from Snap On to pull the union bolts from the filter ends. 3/8 drive in 1/4 handle. There is almost no room to work on the rear one and this is the only thing I have found to work.

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/pro_d...re&dir=catalog

2) Use magnetic sockets or stuff grease into a regular socket to hold onto the mounting bolts removing and replacing. Drop one and it becomes very difficult to find in the crooks and crannies of the engine.

cruizin01

Glad you got it figured out. Im sure it wont take as long next time.

GRNTACO

For your fuel filter?

cruizin01

Yeah I read that too Ben..Im pretty sure Jim didn't read the whole thread or somethin

Nic

I like Jim's suggestion though and will utilize it next time I change my oil. My old camry has the oil filter pointed down and I have never had a problem with oil spillage. I can let the car sit an hour or two and the oil filter will not drip one drop when I take it off.

The Tacoma is anther story.

Nic


1997 Tacoma 2.7L Xtra cab

jruz

Bleh...yeah, I had just changed the oil in my wife's 4Runner that day...so my mind was wandering.

I never have gotten around to changing my fuel filter. I bought a fancy heavy-duty one a long time ago...but still haven't swapped them out. I probably will when the weather warms up.