Rounded Fuel Filter Nut

[lawrencesam74]

Howdy all,

Im in a tight pinch! Just got done with a beautiful tundra brake upgrade on my 97 limited and thought "while the truck is in the air, why not change the fuel filter?"

Well I've gone and done it, the fitting on the gas tank side came out easy, however the engine side fitting is pretty damn round. Tried to be easy on it, but as soon as it gave it was gone, and the fitting is really stuck on there as well. :whipping2

Now I think I have three options:
1. Try to do the oil filter technique where you drive a screwdriver through it and try to turn it lose of the filter side? No too keen on this one since the nut is so rounded, I think the wrench will just slip off.
2. Get a fuel line repair kit. I think this is a good option but am not too sure how it will go since there is a bend in the hard line not too far off the filter so I guess I may need to get a pipe bender and do some guess work or some careful measuring.
3. Whole new hardline from Toyota. Don't know how much the line costs at the dealership but I think I found the part number for about $45 online. Seems like a tough job to replace it .

Any advice or ideas much apreciated!

77251-02080 - Genuine Toyota TUBE, FUEL MAIN

 

[brillo_76]

Howdy all,

Im in a tight pinch! Just got done with a beautiful tundra brake upgrade on my 97 limited and thought "while the truck is in the air, why not change the fuel filter?"

Well I've gone and done it, the fitting on the gas tank side came out easy, however the engine side fitting is pretty damn round. Tried to be easy on it, but as soon as it gave it was gone, and the fitting is really stuck on there as well. :whipping2

Now I think I have three options:
1. Try to do the oil filter technique where you drive a screwdriver through it and try to turn it lose of the filter side? No too keen on this one since the nut is so rounded, I think the wrench will just slip off.
2. Get a fuel line repair kit. I think this is a good option but am not too sure how it will go since there is a bend in the hard line not too far off the filter so I guess I may need to get a pipe bender and do some guess work or some careful measuring.
3. Whole new hardline from Toyota. Don't know how much the line costs at the dealership but I think I found the part number for about $45 online. Seems like a tough job to replace it .

Any advice or ideas much apreciated!

77251-02080 - Genuine Toyota TUBE, FUEL MAIN

Same thing happened to my 97 5 speed. I ended up just changing the hard line to the engine. you can snake it through there and in without taking a part too much except for some vacum lines etc.

Best to have the hard line in your possession before messing with it anymore.

Then after having all your parts in hand. Cut the fuel line at the filter. Replace the line and filter.

Keep in mind, If your tank is full and has fuel in it. You may get a seep coming through of gas. So have something to catch the gas coming from the tank Line if yours seeps too.

Also double check that tube...
When i hit the link it says it not capable with a 1997 v6 limited says for a
for a 1998-2002 Toyota Corolla CE, LE, S, VE|4 Cyl 1.8L

this one is
77251-3D140 - Genuine Toyota TUBE, FUEL MAIN)


As I checked my log and mine was this part number
Part Number: 77251-3D140

 

[spartacus]

If you you tried pb blaster and a line wrench or flare nut wrench and it's a no go. Just cut the line then put a flare nut on the engine side. Then measure and cut another line going to the tank from'the filter since that line has to get longer by the same amount you cut from the engine side. It's going to be a pita. Good luck.

 

[lawrencesam74]

Same thing happened to my 97 5 speed. I ended up just changing the hard line to the engine. you can snake it through there and in without taking a part too much except for some vacum lines etc.

Best to have the hard line in your possession before messing with it anymore.

Then after having all your parts in hand. Cut the fuel line at the filter. Replace the line and filter.

Keep in mind, If your tank is full and has fuel in it. You may get a seep coming through of gas. So have something to catch the gas coming from the tank Line if yours seeps too.

Also double check that tube...
When i hit the link it says it not capable with a 1997 v6 limited says for a
for a 1998-2002 Toyota CorollaCE, LE, S, VE|4 Cyl 1.8L

this one is
77251-3D140 - Genuine Toyota TUBE, FUEL MAIN)


As I checked my log and mine was this part number
Part Number: 77251-3D140

sounds good, thanks for checking that link for me. glad to hear that it’s not TOO hard to replace the whole line so that may be what i end up doing. thank you!


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[zedjr]

they make socket tools to get rounded nuts off

 

[Devbot]

Something tells me the PO didn't have a set of flare nut wrenches. If you don't I'd grab some asap

they make socket tools to get rounded nuts off

And how exactly do you plan to get a socket on it...?

 

[Wedgy]

These; Double-End Metric Flare Nut Wrench Set, 5 Pc.

 

[brillo_76]

Always use line wrenches on lines.. I did and my still rounded soaked with penetrating oil. Besides once rounded your screwed and it needs replaced with a new flare nut. besides that line isnt that hard to get in. I changed it on my 5 speed with some wiggling and some basic line removal for room.

Mine was never changed until 2017. Hence why mine was rusted on. :-(

 

[davidch]

These; Double-End Metric Flare Nut Wrench Set, 5 Pc.

Some have better luck with H-F flare nut wrenches than I had.

 

[Devbot]

Some have better luck with H-F flare nut wrenches than I had.

Good god, you cant make this up

 

[brillo_76]

Some have better luck with H-F flare nut wrenches than I had.

Thanks for sharing. Now I know the HF flare nut wrenches are junk. :/ mine are craftsman.

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[lawrencesam74]

my bad, should’ve disclosed that i have some gear wrench flare but wrenches and soaked in PB blast. i ended up cutting the line and doing a repair with a dorman fuel line repair kit from pep boys. worked out fine and should work, lemme know if anyone wants pics


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[brillo_76]

my bad, should’ve disclosed that i have some gear wrench flare but wrenches and soaked in PB blast. i ended up cutting the line and doing a repair with a dorman fuel line repair kit from pep boys. worked out fine and should work, lemme know if anyone wants pics


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Always have to have pictures.. Glad the dorman Fuel line repair kit patched you up and on the road again..:lookout:

 

[JBDaddy]

Just documenting my experience for anyone else who gets to this thread via search and thinks "Yes! That's what I'll do"...

The dorman kit I got from Amazon Amazon.com: Dorman 800-151 STEEL FUEL LINE REPAIR KIT. 5/16 IN. x 18 IN. w/14mm FITTING. : Automotive doesn't fit the threads on the OEM fuel filter.

I ended up having to buy an OEM forward fuel line -- which arrived bent in half and creased, dammit. Like it was packed into the shipping box that way - not damaged in shipping. Argh.

So instead of replacing the whole thing, I was able to cut just the half I really needed off and patch that into my existing forward fuel line, and the threads on it fit fine into my fuel filter.

Save yourself grief - don't try and thread the dorman kit. just use 2 compression fittings to replace a length of fuel line with it.

If you can't get your fuel filter disconnected from the OEM fuel line, get a new OEM fuel line - it's less hassle.

 

[3bears]

flare wrenches X100
ive twisted wrenches for a long time....but for fuel lines, brake lines...flare wrenches....and of course if dirty/rusty...pb blaster daily. for many days ahead of job... dont use heat/flame

 

[Devbot]

flare wrenches X100
ive twisted wrenches for a long time....but for fuel lines, brake lines...flare wrenches....and of course if dirty/rusty...pb blaster daily. for many days ahead of job... dont use heat/flame

Last month I did a full fuel pump replacement on a fishing vessel and had to use adjustable wrenches on all the fuel and air lines... the nuts/fittings are so big you'd have to be a hulk to round them off but boy oh boy did it feel wrong

 

[brillo_76]

When I went to change the fuel filter on my 1997 5 speed. I ended up replacing front line as well. It was original and I have the flare wrenches.

So +1 on that. Always make sure those threads are coated especially if in the rust belt.

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[MattL981]

I had success using a three sided locking wrench after the flare nut wrench started to slightly round the filter nut.

 

[Devbot]

I had success using a three sided locking wrench after the flare nut wrench started to slightly round the filter nut.

These are also worth their weight in gold, used them all the time when I was a machinist. They absolutely blow normal vise grips out of the water when it comes to round stuff

 

[brillo_76]

I had success using a three sided locking wrench after the flare nut wrench started to slightly round the filter nut.

I need a few pairs of those in various sizes...

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