Fuel Filter Replacement

[deltaclothingco]

I know it's in the tank, has anyone ever done it?
I have some funk in my tank (long story) and I need to clean it out, can anybody provide any advice before I go at it blind?
Thanks

 

[Atlanta_man]

major pain
some real danger with gas fumes

I've had the fuel pump changed on a Land Cruiser and a Pontiac, watched while my friend's shop did it. The pump is also in the tank.

(the Pontiac had to be done several times as the part was bad or quickly went bad - twice)

but as I recall the tank filter is not much of a filter, more like a small wind sock

wonder if there is a real cartridge filter somewhere outside the tank on 4thGen's?

 

[FRT]

Looks like the filter is part of the pump assembly.. See attached PDF.

 

[MikeInNH]

The fuel system in the 4runner is a back-flushing system. It is pretty good at not allowing dirt into fuel lines. The good thing with these systems is the dirt remains in the tank and only clean gas enters the fuel line. The bad thing is that the dirt remains in the tank. It's NEVER removed from vehicle. And it can build up over time and clog the filter in the tank...which then means you have to replace the fuel-pump assembly. I prefer a filter that you have to replace once or twice a year. At least the dirt is REMOVED.

 

[deltaclothingco]

so I went at it blind last night and WOW. My filter was PACKED with leaves. The basket was damn near full and the filter screen was caked with them. I don't even know how I was able to move. I wanted to do a write up for people but I was determined to get it done and not mess around with a camera so if you have any questions about removing the tank or the filter element I can help out.

First of all, it's not as hard as people make it out to be. Just make sure you are below a 1/4 tank.

There is an access hatch below the drivers rear seat, but it's only to disconnect the top hoses. You have to pull the bottoms of the rear seats out and peel the carpet back to get to it.

1. remove the skid plate for the gas tank. (2 pass side bolts, 4 drivers side)
2. put a jack in the middle of the tank for support and remove the two pins holding the straps in place. the jack should now be supporting the tank, but dont let it down yet because you have to disconnect a couple hoses.
3. loosen the hose clamp for the filler neck and pop off the rubber hose from the metal gas tube. its located right above the spare tire.
4. remove the larger two hoses on the passenger rear side of the tank. one will pull off and one is a clip.
5. remove the drivers side rear seat bottom and the rear door trim then pull the carpet back until you see the access hatch under the seat. you may have to pull the pass side seat bottom forward to work the carpet up.
6. open the hatch and remove the wiring harness from the tank. You can undo the clips on the fuel lines when you drop them so just leave it for now.
7. Disconnect the two hoses in front of the tank that are on the driver side frame just under the drivers seat. One has a green clamp, the other is an orange clamp.
8. carefully lower the tank and pull out from under the truck.
9. I used a chain clamp wrench to unscrew the fuel pump. Be careful not to crack the plastic ring.
10. Once the top was unscrewed I pulled the pump out and removed the basket at the bottom of the pump and disconnected the wiring harness that was connected to it. The screen was coated so I sprayed it with air and carb cleaner for a good 10 minutes until it was white again. clean out any funk from the basket as well and inspect the tank. I could see a partical or two so I poured all the gas in a gas can I had and dumped a 2 1/2 gallon gas can back into the empty tank.
11. Slap that bad boy back together by doing the instructions in reverse.

All in all I did it in 3 hours without any idea of how things come apart.
I know pics would help alot but if you get stuck, hopefully this might help someone.
Thanks

 

[MikeInNH]

How the heck did you get leaves in there???

Anyway....Great writeup. Since I tend to keep my vehicles over 300k miles I suspect this is something I'm going to have to do some day. I've copied the directions and saved them.

 

[scottm]

Leaves? I wonder if it's ethanol that coated the inside of your tank, dried, and then came off in sheets? I have to drain my lawnmowers and snowblower to store them or the carburetors will clog up from that crap, and it doesn't take long for the stuff to congeal. Seems unlikely leaves just blew into the gas tank.

 

[deltaclothingco]

it looked like it was some sort of sealant around the filter basket at first, then I opened it up and there were stems and brown funky mushy stuff. Looked like leaves kind of crunched and mashed up. dont ask me how it happened. The only thing I can think of is i pumped off this transfer tank I have and maybe it had a bunch of funk at the bottom.
Who knows.

 

[deltaclothingco]

How the heck did you get leaves in there???

Anyway....Great writeup. Since I tend to keep my vehicles over 300k miles I suspect this is something I'm going to have to do some day. I've copied the directions and saved them.

Thanks mike. I forgot to mention the access hatch so I added those steps in there as well.

 

[Whitebeauty]

I highly recommend u do the fuel filter kit that URDUSA.com has for our trucks...
It puts a fuel filter outside the tank that u can replace at times like this..

 

[Ian]

I highly recommend u do the fuel filter kit that URDUSA.com has for our trucks...
It puts a fuel filter outside the tank that u can replace at times like this..

Would you happen to have the part/kit number or a link? I looked under fuel kits and accessories; also searched but only found Walbro replacement pumps.

Thanks!
Ian

 

[MikeInNH]

I highly recommend u do the fuel filter kit that URDUSA.com has for our trucks...
It puts a fuel filter outside the tank that u can replace at times like this..

This is EXCELLENT. Hopefully I'll NEVER have to replace my pump...but I seriously doubt that. When I do...I'm going to do this. I don't mind changing a fuel filter a couple times a year. Been doing that for almost 40 years anyways.