Fuel filter blockage?

[L_Carter831]

lately whenever i start it up, it starts to bog and go very slow, and when its idling it sounds like it might misfire, but it happens very frequently and not every morning. but it will do it more mornings than others. also when I'm on the highway it will start to feel like its misfiring and bogging and then the check engine light will pop up, but then go away after i get to a lower speed or it stops acting that way. so do you think its a bad fuel filter?

 

[RPS99SHO]

Or spark plugs.

 

[michaelj]

Could be either spark plugs or FF. Fuel filters are cheap and very easy to replace. If you don't know when it was replaced, throw it on anyways. Won't be out much money and hopefully it'll fix it.

 

[MONTYMTB]

lately whenever i start it up, it starts to bog and go very slow, and when its idling it sounds like it might misfire, but it happens very frequently and not every morning. but it will do it more mornings than others. also when I'm on the highway it will start to feel like its misfiring and bogging and then the check engine light will pop up, but then go away after i get to a lower speed or it stops acting that way. so do you think its a bad fuel filter?

Don't just throw money at it with a guess - pull the code(s) and search here to find the likely solution.

 

[Ehahn84]

I had same symptoms. It ended up being the fuel filter. I changed it out and then changed it a second time a 1000 miles later. I also cleaned the MAF, throttle body, IAC, did a bg44 fuel system cleaning, and added new plugs and wires. Acts like a new truck now and went from 15mpg back up to 20ish.

 

[L_Carter831]

Thanks, ill definitely replace it soon then!

 

[L_Carter831]

Or spark plugs.

I'm pretty sure its not the spark plugs because it isn't consistent, once it warms up it runs fine again

 

[RPS99SHO]

I'm pretty sure its not the spark plugs because it isn't consistent, once it warms up it runs fine again

My hesitation wasn't consistent either. Happened a few times in succession during acceleration, then went away on its own. Then happened again much later in the drive seemingly randomly. Replaced the plugs and wires, haven't experienced the issue since.

 

[Sdsupra760]

Pull the codes amd then get back. Could be a lot of different things. Highly doubtnits a fuel filter. It will not cause any sort of intermittsnt issue. And will only cause a lean top end. And it will be consistent. Took 190k miles to finally get my fuel filter to give probs on a tt 2jzgte supra maxing out the fuel system 500+hp. So unless u r maxin gout your fuel system a fuel filter will never cause prob. It has more than enough capacity to flow more fuel than your engine can use unless ur tank in rusted out from sitting in a barn for a decade or two. I would bet u most likely need new plugs and wires. Prob wires breaking up. But scan it and it will give you a direction to take and gonfrom there. A good mechanic who knows how to use and read scan data on a toyota will be able to tell you exactly whats going on.

 

[4bangr]

gotta pull the codes

 

[LookAtThatDog]

I had same symptoms. It ended up being the fuel filter. I changed it out and then changed it a second time a 1000 miles later..

Why did you do it twice? Was the first one a crappy brand?

 

[Rock_Rat]

I doubt very much it's a fuel filter. I've had mine since 12miles and changed it out at 320K. I only changed it just because I figured I should and it's cheap....no symptoms, no hesitation, and no better gas mileage after replacing it.

I read somewhere that 40K is the recommended interval. I'll probably go 100K on mine before I change it again. I've also heard/read that it's a lifetime part from toyota.

Here's a link to a cut away of the filter: Fuel filter dissected

 

[Ehahn84]

Why did you do it twice? Was the first one a crappy brand?

Not knowing how the previous owner cared for the vehicle, I figured this was the first fuel filter change in 200k miles. The old filter I took off was sooooo gunked up that there had to be a back up of goo. So, I changed the filter twice. After all the cleaning of stuff and the new filters and plugs it seems to be running good as new. Even gets better mileage.

 

[D Farms]

could be maf related, is your intake ruptured somewhere? I had this happen to me on a difficult obstacle once, the air intake kept popping off and causing the engine to stall.