I installed a new fuel filter in my 4runner today and, wow, the idling is right back to 700rpm. I can't believe how a new fuel filter made a huge improvement. I thought it was dirty throttle body but my guts tell me it was fuel filter. Now the engine is running smoothly on idle.

The problem I noticed was the rpm bounce up and down on idle (700-900rpm) and sometime idle stuck at 900 rpm while idling. And also, I put cruise control on freeway and it does bogging on freeway for a split second.

Just wanted to share with this with you even if you have similar symptoms what I had on my 4runner. Hope this helps.

 

It does puzzle me how Toyota can say this never should be replaced; it is a lifetime part?.....

4 years or 60,000 miles has always been a good rule of thumb for me for a fuel filter replacement.

 

do you have to drain the fuel tank?

 

i thought we were supposed to replace them around 100k. i havent done mine yet, and im at 145k. looks like im gonna have to now.

 

the manual says to relieve the pressure in the line. but since the filter is below the tank wont it just flow out till you get the new one in?

 

Here are some threads I found useful. I haven't attempted the fuel filter replacement yet, but I plan to in the next year.

I changed the fuel filter on my 4Runner today

3rd gen Runner fuel filter changeout

"Not-So-Lifetime" 3rd Gen Fuel Filter

 

Mine also idles at 7000 RPM. now I know it was because of the new fuel filter.

 

No you don't need to drain the fuel tank. I just took old filter off and new filter in 15 mins. Then turn ignition on(not start the engine) for about 1 min, letting fuel pump doing it because you lose gas in the line. Then start the engine on. Its easy as a b c.


Hope you are kidding. Redline is at 5,500rpm. lol

 

No I was serious when I typed in 7000..........but it's a typo, it's 700.

 

need to do mine soon but looks like a pain to get to it for the 4cyl.

 

so hopefully this link works as an external link, but while lookin to price the fuel filter, I found that there is also another filter for the fuel pump itself inside the tank. Any idea if those get clogged/dirty too? I only imagine the inline filter being dirty after it passes through the one in the tank first...

http://www.toyotapartszone.com/Page_...reName=MAJ667A

 

hahaha......


Fuel filter and rack bushing kit are the two things inline for me to do before winter. I've got a different car in the garage to rebuild the head, hone the bores, re-ring and replace bearings on. Trying to get that done asap, so we can sell the darn thing.

 

Yeah you v6 guys have it easy, I don't know why toyota was kind enough to mount it on the frame for us 4cyl guys, that thing is deep!!

I've been running Nippon filters, not really sure of the difference between the NipponDenso product line, but they are a bit cheaper and include the bracket

 

My denso was priced at 35 for the v6 and 39 for the 4banger at the local dealer - both also came with the brackets?

 

Yeah the densos come with brackets, its the car parts store ones that you have to watch out for

 

I've been meaning to change my fuel filter for the last 100K miles/3 years. I guess 300K miles on the ORIGINAL fuel filter means its time for a change


FOG

 

My 4runner is right now 131,000kms (81,400 miles). I'd say about 75,000 miles that fuel filter went bad. It was original fuel filter.

My gas mileage improved noticeably. I haven't calculated how much better mpg I got now, probably increase 2-3mpg or so. I can't remember when last time the engine run so smooth but I love my 4runner more than ever now A bit more power as well.

 

It's more of a strainer to keep larger particles out of the pump. Mine was still in very good shape so I left it when I changed my fuel pump.

 

Good to know - thanks. So really its nothing that should really have to be replaced? More of a pump protector than an engine(fuel to engine) filter?

 

I replaced mine. When I tipped it over and put it in my waste oil container, pure nasty came out.

Since the replacement I havent noticed any improvement.