Changed fuel filter and now it's leaking like crazy

[3rdgen_4runner]

I desperately need some help guys. I changed my fuel filter and now only one side leaks. I put the old one back on but theres no difference

Please help

 

[Desert runner 99]

only thing I can offer is that I really tightened those when replacing mine. Hasn't leaked yet.Is it possible to pull on the line as you tighten it so it keeps the end of the line all the way in the fitting to get the tightest seal.

 

[mtbtim]

Dude, did you read my comment on the other thread you started for this same problem? Try putting a film of motor oil on the flared part of the tubing and reassemble. Basically rub a little motor oil on the end of the tubing before putting the line into the filter. These connections have to be very tight not to leak. I had a leak on the one I recently replaced to make a video of it and the front connection was leaking. I turned thr flare nut another probably 32nd of a turn and the leak stopped.

 

[TheDurk]

Forgive me if you know this--I have helped people on here who didn't--but you have to use TWO wrenches to get these tight, preferably two flare wrenches.

 

[mtbtim]

Forgive me if you know this--I have helped people on here who didn't--but you have to use TWO wrenches to get these tight, preferably two flare wrenches.

Op, this is solid advice. I assumed you were using two wrenches, and yes, use flare nut wrenches if you've got them. Here's a link to a video [MENTION=102606]infamousRNR[/MENTION] and I made for this job. https://youtu.be/vdDhXZIs6Lo

 

[BeavStu]

I had the same problem when I changed my fuel filter. I did it with two wrenches but was stubborn and didn't go buy a flare wrench. No matter how hard I cranked it, I wasn't able to get it tight enough to stop the leaking until I bit the bullet and went and bought a flare wrench.

Moral of the story: The flare wrench makes all the difference!

 

[RyanNapoleon]

I had the same problem on one side and it ended up being a TINY piece of paint from the hardline that was stuck across the contact area of the compression fitting. I carefully peeled as much paint as i could from around that flared end and reassembled and it was good.

 

[01thunder]

not tightening lines will cause leaks, along with cheap aftermarket filters. the last filter i did was a cheap auto zone unit. didn't matter how tight i got it, it still leaked. i replaced it with an OE unit and leaking stopped.

 

[3rdgen_4runner]

Ok guys thanks for the advice. I do appreciate it. And sorry for creating multiple threads on this problem. I have a 14mm flarenut wrench and a 19mm open end wrench that I'm using for this. Last night I went back at it. It was leaking from one side. I took off the aftermarket one and put the original back on. Now I have it leaking from both sides. I torqued it good to stop the leaking but it still leaks but only at start up. I'm not sure other than that. Like I don't see it not dripping even when idling. I'm really worried. I have to work this week, pick up my daughter, I don't have money to repair this and my wife is on my ass about it being kinda quiet right now but Thursday I'm supposed to the her and my two daughters to disneyland 40 miles away but I'm not driving my kids in my gas leaking death trap. I gotta figure this out and quickly

 

[jcush87]

I just did mine today, no leaking issues and I tightened with 1 wrench. In my experience with flare fittings, I find that they don't need to be torqued super tight, but they need to be really clean. A spec or sand (or a scratch from one on either face) will not seal.

 

[3rdgen_4runner]

Update:

So I had to drive it today about 15 miles or so and then I parked and idled with the A/C going for about twenty minutes or so and I looked underneath and I didn't see any dripping or leaking at all. Idk what to think about it but I'm happy so far. I do have a couple of other issues I wanna get feedback on that I'm researching now so I'll get back at y'all in a bit

 

[3rdgen_4runner]

Update:

So I had to drive it today about 15 miles or so and then I parked and idled with the A/C going for about twenty minutes or so and I looked underneath and I didn't see any dripping or leaking at all. Idk what to think about it but I'm happy so far. I do have a couple of other issues I wanna get feedback on that I'm researching now so I'll get back at y'all in a bit

 

[Pararunner]

Leaking fuel filter after replacing. 2000 4Runner

Check your new fuel filter before installing it.
I know that it is the right part, that's not what I am saying.
Actually check the new filter next to the original.
I replaced mine with a Fram or Ac Delco, if I remember correctly.
It started to leak as soon as it pressured up.
And not just a little.
I was afraid to over tighten and afraid of cross threading the fuel line.
So I was extra careful not to do either.
The fuel filter that I used also came with some copper washers that were extremely hard to install.
It would have taken me, to remove the fuel lines out and then seat the washers in order for them to align correctly.
So I finally looked at both filters and realized what the problem was.
The new fuel filter has a big difference in the center bevel that seats in the fuel line.
The washers were the manufacturers fix to the problem.
I returned the filter and went Orileys and bought a Wix filter.
I automatically noticed that they had the same bevel and my fuel line set right in.
Not a single drop of fuel leaked after it pressured up.
There is no reason to over tighten, and if you do, you are most likely going to damage the fuel line or the filter or both.
Therefore making a simple exchange, a pain in the rear.
I will try to upload pictures later.

 

[smoWStomper91]

Fuel filter

Yeah I am almost done with mine for the first time but I know those copper washers and nipples help to get the fittings tighter without having to wrench down super tough! The last person who did the one on my 91’ did mot use them and I could not get it off without making room(removing transmission crossmember and getting mean with it)! So a 20 or30 min job turned into about 6 7 hours! Plus he had somewhat striped the front fitting so it was hell! This was a shop too! Trust me I have been swearing him up and down! But get those washers and extra nipples it will help!

 

[Ghostrider]

Forgive me if you know this--I have helped people on here who didn't--but you have to use TWO wrenches to get these tight, preferably two flare wrenches.

I would say "absolutely" for flare wrenches. This is a perfect opportunity to really screw the pooch if you use standard wrenches. And yes you have to have two to get it tight. You can use standard wrench for the filter side but never use it on the pipe side

 

[NissanTechJake]

Standard wrench tip

I put ATF on the flare and fitting and staggered the wrenches so that when I squeezed a closed fist they tightened in opposing directions.

This corrected my stubborn outlet side.

 

[JustPat]

Check your new fuel filter before installing it.
I know that it is the right part, that's not what I am saying.
Actually check the new filter next to the original.
I replaced mine with a Fram or Ac Delco, if I remember correctly.
It started to leak as soon as it pressured up.
And not just a little.
I was afraid to over tighten and afraid of cross threading the fuel line.
So I was extra careful not to do either.
The fuel filter that I used also came with some copper washers that were extremely hard to install.
It would have taken me, to remove the fuel lines out and then seat the washers in order for them to align correctly.
So I finally looked at both filters and realized what the problem was.
The new fuel filter has a big difference in the center bevel that seats in the fuel line.
The washers were the manufacturers fix to the problem.
I returned the filter and went Orileys and bought a Wix filter.
I automatically noticed that they had the same bevel and my fuel line set right in.
Not a single drop of fuel leaked after it pressured up.
There is no reason to over tighten, and if you do, you are most likely going to damage the fuel line or the filter or both.
Therefore making a simple exchange, a pain in the rear.
I will try to upload pictures later.

Pararunner that was exceptional information, thank you. I took my 95 T100 (250k miles and rode hard) out hunting this morning and suddenly had no acceleration. I suspected the fuel filter since it's been 60k miles since it was changed and bought a Fram filter from Autozone. After installation it leaked BAD. Tightened to the point that I was afraid of damage but still leaking. Uninstalled and reinstalled, uninstalled and reinstalled. Sought web based info but still leaking though I did slow it down. I plan on heading to the local Toyota dealer tomorrow for an OEM filter and have high hopes that this will solve the issue.

Oh, and I have no clue what those copper washers are for that came with the Fram filter. Two of them are big enough that I can't figure out where they belong, and the smaller ones I am clueless about.

Again thanks for providing good, insightful information. I joined this forum just to say thanks!

 

[nobb]

Interesting to hear about the ATF or motor oil trick. I'm curious how exactly that helps seal a compression fitting? Seems a bit thin to me.

 

[Malcolm99]

I just did this job the other day on my 99 with original filter, outlet in the filter was seized, cut the line and bought a new line from outlet to fuel rail, only needed to snug them down to seal, I used anitseize on the inverted flare nut, these don't need to be cranked down unless the flare or fitting is dirty scratched or cracked. For fun I put the old filter with the seized fitting in the vice and started to crank on it with a large 19mm,.. no go no matter how tight I got the vice, so I'm glad I didn't waste anymore time trying to fight with the outlet, it was never coming free.

 

[NOBIGGIEE]

If this help anyone who finds this thread like I did with leaky fuel lines, just keep unthreading/threading the nut and reseating the fuel line and crank it as hard as you can. It took me a couple times to work. It went from leaking like crazy to no leak. All I did was try again. Check the flared end of fuel line for peeling paint too, mine had some. As someone stated before, it's the flared end of the fuel line seating with the holes in the fuel filter that makes the seal. Just keep taking it out unthreading and try again. That worked for me. Very finicky.