Fuel pump whining. Clogged fuel filter or bad pump?

[Shawn5800]

Since i bought my truck the fuel pump seems to whine quite loud every once and a while. It also seems to affect the starting after sitting for a while. The fuel doesnt travel fast enough for it to turn right over so it cranks a bit.

I asked my mechanic and he said he has serviced many 4r's where they just change the filter and the fuel pump ends up being fine, the clogged filters end up making the pump work harder and in turn make it whine.

Im hoping in my case he is right, i looked at my filter yesterday and boy oh boy is it rusted ...i am almost positive the nuts holding it on will snap along with the lines.

Any suggestions ?

 

[brian2sun]

Do the much cheaper and easier filter 1st and see if you still have a problem. Sounds like you have the original filter (which on most vehicles, they should be changed every 15-30K). I change mine every 2 years or ~24K. There is no change interval listed by Toyota for our filters so there's a joke that it's a "lifetime" filter, but obviously no filter stays clean for life.

 

[TheDurk]

Do the much cheaper and easier filter 1st and see if you still have a problem. Sounds like you have the original filter (which on most vehicles, they should be changed every 15-30K). I change mine every 2 years or ~24K. There is no change interval listed by Toyota for our filters so there's a joke that it's a "lifetime" filter, but obviously no filter stays clean for life.

I take my maintenance seriously, but that (24-30k) seems a little overboard to me. I did mine at 65K more or less, and I guess I could do it again as I just hit 130K. I've never had a fuel problem.

 

[brian2sun]

I take my maintenance seriously, but that (24-30k) seems a little overboard to me. I did mine at 65K more or less, and I guess I could do it again as I just hit 130K. I've never had a fuel problem.

I agree a fuel filter can last much longer than that. I just figure for $15 or $20, it's good maintenance every couple of years.