Another costly mistake :-(

[Moustache]

It's happened again. My car is at the dealer for the 3rd time this month for another issue.

2 days ago i decided to chance my fuel filter. Since the old one looks like its the original from 1990 i figured it should probably be replaced. BIG MISTAKE!!

In trying to remove the filter, (with the bracket still attached) i managed to twist/crack both front and rear fuel lines from the filter to the tank, and from the filter to the engine. I've been told that the entire gas tank needs to be replaced, as well as fuel lines, a few brackets and bolts. I've been quoted $1800 with parts and labor!!! :wtf:

I'm going to have them replace the front half of the line that runs from the filter to the engine but i cannot afford to have them do the tank and the rest of the fuel lines.

Has anyone on here dropped their gas tank and hads to replace fuel lines as well. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[topdown4runner]

Only the ends of the fuel lines are messed up where they connect to the filter, right?

If it were me,
I'd cut the end off both the steel fuel lines and use rubber fuel line with hose clamps.
Put screw in hose fittings on both sides of the fuel filter to attach the hose to.

Maybe $10 for a tubing cutter. You don't want to use a hack saw for fear of sparks and shavings going into the fuel line.
Maybe another $5 for the hose fittings.
A few bucks for some rubber fuel line.

If your slow, maybe an hour of time to put it together and install.

Anyway, that's what I'd do. No way I'd pay what they want.

 

[Moustache]

The ends are actually fine. When the line twisted, because of the rust, they cracked. The truck wont even start since it cannot build fuel pressure.

Trust me, I wont be giving them $1800 to fix this.

 

[Double Thump]

It seems to me like they are trying to take advantage of you. Follow the lines back to where the crack and crimped line is. Cut it off at the first available spot. buy a length of rubber gas line and clamp it over the existing fuel line. and run it and support it all the way back to the filter. Even if the fuel tank needs to be replaced, it is not an $1800 job. You can get a tank from the wreckers and a new set of straps from your dealer. it is not hard to do it, it just takes some patience.

I would also look to find a small garage that you can build a relationship with. Look for a small one or two bay garage where you can talk to them. start by giving them small little jobs so you can be sure they are going to be decent with you. build that trust so that you have someone that can do these jobs for you that are a little to much for you to do on your own.

 

[jpgordon24]

Agreed with Dp. You should replace the fuel lines with rubber hose but I would make sure that you are getting a high pressure or fuel injection rubber hose and use stainless steel hose clamps. If it were me, I would double clamp both ends to ensure no leakage. Fuel leak = :dammit:

 

[Moustache]

Double thump - I got the same feeling when they said i needed a new tank, especially since the fuel was only leaking from infront of the filter towards the engine.

I tend to take these tasks on myself since i never really have much luck with any shop i go to around here. I always get the same vibe of them trying to pull the covers over my eyes.


Going to pick up some rubber fuel line this afternoon. after i have the truck towed BACK to my house.

Thanks for the advice fellas, i'll post up pics as soon as i get it all fixed

 

[topdown4runner]

You can get a parts truck for less than $1,800 and get all the spare parts you need :banana:

 

[Iroke17]

-- removed by admin --

 

[Moustache]

Got her towed back to my house from the dealer yesterday. And my Tow driver happened to be a "4runner guy" himself and had plenty of advice to share with me about replacing that line. So i cut out the bad line, Turns out it twisted off right at the filter.

I think im going to relocate the filter while im down there. Toyota didnt really think to much when they put the filter in such a clustered area underneath the truck. It seems almost impossible to remove the front fuel line from the filter without removing lines from the oil cooler, and removing brake and transmission lines. Not to mention half of the filter sits directly about the trans crossmember (not sure if thats the actual name).

Stock location. You cant see the mess of other lines in the picture, its right to the front of that crossmember

Where i plan on mounting the filer. About 6" back from the stock location

 

[99blackSE]

Darn stealerships :bash: 1800 dollar quote, wow. Glad to see you got it back home safely. Let us know how it turns out man.

 

[Double Thump]

It's a good idea to relocate while you are doing this. It have always maintained that the people that design cars never have to work on them. They put things in places that make it hard to work on. I am sure it will be nothing for you to take care of this fix.

 

[Bad_Vision]

It's a good idea to relocate while you are doing this. It have always maintained that the people that design cars never have to work on them. They put things in places that make it hard to work on. I am sure it will be nothing for you to take care of this fix.

I was just thinking about relocating to the frame rail also with rubber fuel line, would we need to use a OEM style fuel filter or would we be able to use a filter like this?

 

[Moustache]

You could probably get away with that filter. but keep in mind, your puting a plastic filter on the UNDERSIDE of your truck. It wouldnt take much for a rock branch or other object to kick up and break that thing right in half.

After talking to the tow driver yesterday, he steered me away from using rubber line claiming it would most likely leak in the near future. So I decided to go out and pick up some supplies.

New steel line (brake line to be exact, but the same thing as the fuel line)
2 X 14mm fittings to screw into each end of the filter
4 X 5/16 nuts for where the new line meets the old line
2 X 5/16 brass connectors that each 5/16 nut will thread into (i forgot the name)
1 X double flaring tool kit

:gun6: :gun5:

 

[Bad_Vision]

thats the ticket!

I wasnt planing on useing a plastic filter it was just a picture found but any inline filter would work.

so your repair bill goes from 1,800$ to what 40$

*STEALERSHIP*

I understand they need to make money but really they could have got your money buy saying we could relocate your filter and put new lines on for like 100$
me i would have paid 100$ for that kind of deal if they offer.

 

[Moustache]

I would assume any inline filter would work as long as they flow the same, You could even go with a higher flowing filter i would guess, but make sure it isnt restricting flow. This is why i decided to use a OEM replacement filter.


This was their explanation for the $1800 quote

Service - $1800 to replace the front half of the fuel line, filter, brackets and bolts, rear fuel line, fuel tank and brackets.

Me - why do i need to replace my gas tank? the fuel was leaking infront of the filter, not from the gas tank

Service - Well you see, it is a domino effect, if we try to remove the damaged front line, it will in turn damage the rear line, damaging the connection to the tank/pump thus needing a new tank.

Me - well the rear line can be removed from the filter to prevent damage to that line or tank. It is only finger tight since i put that line back on before towing it here. Cant you just remove the back line like a normal person, and cut/replace the front line?

Service - Like i said it is a domino effect. if we replace the front line it will damage the gas tank and rear lines . . .

Me - So your telling me you cannot just unscrew the rear line from the filter to prevent further damage and just replace the front line?

Service - I'm just forwarding what the tech told me sir, he said he cannot do the front line without doing the rear line and the tank as well.

Me - Then tell him to stop what he's doing and push the car into the lot so i can have it towed back to my house . . . . I do not want him doing ANYTHING ELSE with my truck . . . How much do i owe you for this!?




So about $160 later after the towing cost and charges from the dealer to do nothing, i got the truck home.

if i could have paid them $100 to just quit being a sissy and fix the damn thing i would have. it would have saved me money in the long run.

 

[Badwolf]

This is an effing 4RUNNER! You should be able to affect a field repair on something as vital as a fuel filter.

Stealership logic in full effect:

You run out of gas on the highway and the dealershtupp suggests that you replace the entire engine under the guise that this may happen again in the future, and you'll want to be sure that it doesn't....

Give me a break.

 

[Moustache]

After messing up a few steel lines i gave up on that and went with rubber like you guys suggested.

2 - 2' rubber fuel line
12 - fuel line hose clamps (very important to use fuel line clamps and not regular hose clamps)
1 - 6" 5/16D steel brake line

i flared every pipe end before puting the hoses on and then used two clamps to each hose end. Been holding fuel for a few days now so im happy.

All cleaned up

I also did a little experiment with the old dirty filter.

poured a cup of fuel into the inlet of the old filter. One maybe two drops of fuel came back out. Did the same with the new filter, and almost the entire cup came pouring back out the outlet.

I did this only because i remember reading a few people claiming that fuel filters on these trucks do not need to be changed ever. After seeing how badly the old filter was flowing i firmly believe that the fuel filter DOES need to be changed regularly.

Thanks for looking and adding input fellas!

 

[fishrod]

Never take your old truck to a dealer or even a a franchise mechanic. They are gonna try and screw you for as much money as they can!!

 

[ChoochCharlie]

There is some rule where you can only have like 12 inches of rubber fuel line, total. Don't remember the exact number, but that rings a bell. Best to go with rigid when you can.

 

[Moustache]

There is some rule where you can only have like 12 inches of rubber fuel line, total. Don't remember the exact number, but that rings a bell. Best to go with rigid when you can.

Thanks for the heads up. I searched online for anything about that but kept coming up with nothing so i'll have to keep an eye on the rubber lines. If it does turn into a problem i'll go to Stainless Braided teflon hoses. After the amount of trouble i had with the solid steel lines i dont think i can do that to myself again.