A friendly reminder to not neglect your fuel filter

[Nunyabiz]

Just changed mine last Thursday and looked at least as bad as the OP.
I had 157,xxx miles on it, was factory filter from 02'.
Looked just like mud.

The PO always took the truck to the dealership and apparently dealerships do NOT recommend changing fuel filters!

Changed mine to a Wix, cost $15.95 and plan to do every other year from here on out. I only drive probably 7000-8000 miles a year.

 

[MTDewX8]

so I just attempted mine. and as my frustration came to a head and before something breaks.
I screw the back fitting to try another day.

why does that other tool work better than the right size regular open ended wrench?

mine is almost stripped and will attempt another day after some PB has been sprayed on.


also, where is the fuel fuse? I looked in teh book and both places to no avail.

 

[t4r4life]

so I just attempted mine. and as my frustration came to a head and before something breaks.
I screw the back fitting to try another day.

why does that other tool work better than the right size regular open ended wrench?

mine is almost stripped and will attempt another day after some PB has been sprayed on.


also, where is the fuel fuse? I looked in teh book and both places to no avail.

this is what you need, and make sure you pb blaster the sh!T OUTTA those fittings, one trick is put on the wrench and get a hammer and hit the wrench till it pop loose sand functionality as impact gun but its human impact

 

[t4r4life]

also, where is the fuel fuse? I looked in teh book and both places to no avail.

driver side behind the foot well penal, its a big black relay that says denso on it

 

[attitudeofgratitud]

Put some hot sauce on the rust on the bolts it helps I did this when replacing my fuel filter

Hot sauce?? Seriously? I've heard of oil of wintergreen and 50/50 acetone and transmission fluid but never hot sauce. I really hope you're not suggesting using a torch on rusted fuel lines That would get pretty interesting.

 

[MTDewX8]

this is what you need, and make sure you pb blaster the sh!T OUTTA those fittings, one trick is put on the wrench and get a hammer and hit the wrench till it pop loose sand functionality as impact gun but its human impact

well I guess I am not sure why those winches are better than a regular open box ones.
mostly cause I dont have them and have never used them.

so I will go buy one before I strip it beyond having to replace the whole flipping line cause I jacked it up so back, or pissed off and used my super human anger and really mess it up. hahahahaha

 

[t4r4life]

well I guess I am not sure why those winches are better than a regular open box ones.
mostly cause I dont have them and have never used them.

so I will go buy one before I strip it beyond having to replace the whole flipping line cause I jacked it up so back, or pissed off and used my super human anger and really mess it up. hahahahaha

dude just trust me these get way more grip cant even strip a nut if you try unless your king kong or hulk, i too have tried with regular but this will do it way better

 

[C C]

Hot sauce?? Seriously? I've heard of oil of wintergreen and 50/50 acetone and transmission fluid but never hot sauce. I really hope you're not suggesting using a torch on rusted fuel lines That would get pretty interesting.

Nope, Tabasco hot sauce should do the trick just as good as PB blaster IMO
also remember wear eye protection if you do use hot sauce its not pretty if it drips in your eye trust me

 

[notrayray]

why does that other tool work better than the right size regular open ended wrench?

Because you have four or five points of contact instead of the two you get from an open end wrench.

Here is the EFI relay under the hood.

Ok.....going to write the walk through now. Will post up when done.
:cheers:

 

[notrayray]

Ok, here she be.
:cheers:

5VZ V6 4runner fuel filter write up with pics

 

[smallfry]

Why is the fuel filter considered a lifetime part?

 

[Nelsonmd]

Nice write-up Ray.

Something I just noticed looking at it, is that the OEM filter apparently comes with the bracket (right?). I bought a purolator filter a while back just to add to my total at advance so that I qualified for a bigger discount bracket, but it doesn't have a bracket with it. With as rusty as I know mine will be, I think I will just have to get an OEM filter assy so I can get the bracket too.

 

[Qyota]

You can re-use the bracket.

 

[Nelsonmd]

You can re-use the bracket.

Not if you have my level of rust... It will break as soon as I stress it at all.

 

[notrayray]

Nice write-up Ray.

Something I just noticed looking at it, is that the OEM filter apparently comes with the bracket (right?). I bought a purolator filter a while back just to add to my total at advance so that I qualified for a bigger discount bracket, but it doesn't have a bracket with it. With as rusty as I know mine will be, I think I will just have to get an OEM filter assy so I can get the bracket too.

Yes, the OE one comes with a new bracket. As rusty as mine was, I could have reused it easily.

 

[Nelsonmd]

Yes, the OE one comes with a new bracket. As rusty as mine was, I could have reused it easily.

Yeah, pretty sure mine's rustier. I'll take a look at it tonight though.

 

[ice2000]

I changed my fuel filter in March 2011 after 184,987 miles. My fuel pump went out, so I changed my fuel filter also. I learned that if I changed my fuel filter regularly, it would help prolong the life of my fuel pump. The fuel pump and the fuel filter were the original OEM parts.

 

[Avarice]

How did you guys discern how long it had been since the filter was changed. Is there a date on it, or did you just have your maintenance records. Mine didn't come with any records sadly(theft recovery), but the filter and bracket aren't rusted at all and are in pretty good condition.

I suppose whats $46 bucks to be sure, but I'd rather know it was for a good reason. Not to mention the one on there is OEM and I can only get NAPA gold's. Unless I wanna pay $70 and wait a week for OEM.

 

[notrayray]

How did you guys discern how long it had been since the filter was changed. Is there a date on it, or did you just have your maintenance records. Mine didn't come with any records sadly(theft recovery), but the filter and bracket aren't rusted at all and are in pretty good condition.

I assume mine was because of how dirty it was and it was an OEM part.

 

[attitudeofgratitud]

Nope, Tabasco hot sauce should do the trick just as good as PB blaster IMO
also remember wear eye protection if you do use hot sauce its not pretty if it drips in your eye trust me

That"s awesome!!! I'll have to give it try the next time I'm doing some exhaust work or something.
Ya think a higher Scoville rating would help the extra stubborn ones?