What happens if I put a fuel filter in backwards?

[Boom Headshot]

I derped it and installed the filter with the larger "disk" toward the front of the vehicle instead of the rear.

My face already took one gasoline bath today and the Runner is getting parked for some serious mods in a couple weeks anyway. I drove it around for a little bit and it seems to run fine. The filter wasn't marked with any arrows indicating fuel flow direction.

What if I just leave it in there the wrong way and put it on the list of things to do?

 

[DK327]

As far as I know it will still flow when backwards but the right way might flow better...

 

[mtbtim]

I derped it and installed the filter with the larger "disk" toward the front of the vehicle instead of the rear.

My face already took one gasoline bath today and the Runner is getting parked for some serious mods in a couple weeks anyway. I drove it around for a little bit and it seems to run fine. The filter wasn't marked with any arrows indicating fuel flow direction.

What if I just leave it in there the wrong way and put it on the list of things to do?

You sure about there being no direction for the flow labeled on the filter? I replaced mine and could have sworn it at least said something like inlet or outlet near the fittings or an arrow showing the flow direction.

Anyway, if you know you installed it backwards, you should flip it around. Every fuel filter I've ever installed had a definite inlet and outlet and there must be a reason for it based off how the filter is engineered to work.

 

[fourfive]

I derped it and installed the filter with the larger "disk" toward the front of the vehicle instead of the rear.

My face already took one gasoline bath today and the Runner is getting parked for some serious mods in a couple weeks anyway. I drove it around for a little bit and it seems to run fine. The filter wasn't marked with any arrows indicating fuel flow direction.

What if I just leave it in there the wrong way and put it on the list of things to do?

If you just put it on, the nuts shouldnt be seized and a lot easier to loosen to flip it around the correct way. Plus you now have experience to not take a shot in the face.

 

[jeremyc74]

You're not going to hurt anything in the near term, but the filter will lose flow capacity faster if you start getting dirty fuel because of the way the pleats are formed inside.

Personally I'd fix it, but fuel in the US is so clean these days that a lot of new cars don't even come with a fuel filter anymore so it's probably going to be a long time before you can tell a difference. There's a screen in the tank and that's it.

 

[Bluecobra]

I recently replaced mine with an OEM filter and it states Inlet on one end and Outlet on the other. The larger end of the filter should point toward the front of the vehicle.

 

[mtbtim]

I recently replaced mine with an OEM filter and it states Inlet on one end and Outlet on the other. The larger end of the filter should point toward the front of the vehicle.

And there it is. Don't risk having problems down the road and possibly in an inconvenient location. Flip the freaking thing and install it correctly.

 

[AntleredRuin]

Also, always remove the gas cap a few hours before working on the fuel system. Helps alot with the fuel spurting by depressurizing the system.

Sent from my VS980 4G using Tapatalk

 

[Rock_Rat]

I derped it and installed the filter with the larger "disk" toward the front of the vehicle instead of the rear.

My face already took one gasoline bath today and the Runner is getting parked for some serious mods in a couple weeks anyway. I drove it around for a little bit and it seems to run fine. The filter wasn't marked with any arrows indicating fuel flow direction.

What if I just leave it in there the wrong way and put it on the list of things to do?

Some of you guys need to use the google search feature and you won't find yourselves in this predicament. Even a quick snapshot of the filter with your cellphone before you begin the job will prevent this from happening. Look at the thread that I put together to help make the job easier. Fuel Filter Replacement

The first Bullet under Install Filter
Ensure the filter is facing the correct direction and hand thread the nuts to the filter. Filter has the word "OUT" embossed on the smaller diameter side facing the engine.

I dissected a filter if you want to see what it looks like inside. The link is that thread.

 

[ThorInc]

I derped it and installed the filter with the larger "disk" toward the front of the vehicle instead of the rear.

My face already took one gasoline bath today and the Runner is getting parked for some serious mods in a couple weeks anyway. I drove it around for a little bit and it seems to run fine. The filter wasn't marked with any arrows indicating fuel flow direction.

What if I just leave it in there the wrong way and put it on the list of things to do?

The shot in the face is called "the money shot" and I would just flip it around and be done with it.

 

[Rock_Rat]

Photo of dissected Fuel filter

The filter is marked with IN and OUT. From what it looks like you're fuel flow won't be as efficient (a bit more restrictive) and the fuel won't won't be filtered the way it's intended to before heading to your engine. As [MENTION=115020]ThorInc[/MENTION] said - Just swap it around.

 

[AntleredRuin]

The shot in the face is called "the money shot"

Well it's unavoidable after all that hard work getting it off...

 

[fan of fanboys]

Well it's unavoidable after all that hard work getting it off...

he will be here all weeks folks and don't forget to tip the waitress

 

[mckennar]

he will be here all weeks folks and don't forget to tip the waitress

...just the tip.

 

[StreetCreeper]

I'm pretty disappointed with the replies in this thread. I can't believe nobody stated the obvious! If your fuel filter is installed backwards, all you have to do is just drive backwards — duh!

Problem solved...right?

Speaking of tips, my leper friend left his with a hooker...

 

[atalarico]

I'm happy to read that half of the replies are just sex jokes...

Oh, and my conclusion is that it sounds like you won't kill your car for a short period of time running like this. It sounds like you're going to be doing some major work to it soon anyway, so if you want to save it for then, great! If you want to just take an extra few minutes to depressurize your fuel system and bang it out in 15 minutes, do that!

Best of luck! Oh, and don't forget to maybe work that thing with your hands and point it away from your face when you think it's getting ready to...release. imp:

 

[AntleredRuin]

I'm pretty disappointed with the replies in this thread. I can't believe nobody stated the obvious! If your fuel filter is installed backwards, all you have to do is just drive backwards — duh!

Problem solved...right?

Speaking of tips, my leper friend left his with a hooker...

Ahahaha and that is while I usually try to avoid reading Woody's replies at work...

 

[Boom Headshot]

I'm happy to read that half of the replies are just sex jokes...

Oh, and my conclusion is that it sounds like you won't kill your car for a short period of time running like this. It sounds like you're going to be doing some major work to it soon anyway, so if you want to save it for then, great! If you want to just take an extra few minutes to depressurize your fuel system and bang it out in 15 minutes, do that!

Best of luck! Oh, and don't forget to maybe work that thing with your hands and point it away from your face when you think it's getting ready to...release. imp:

Thanks, I appreciate the reply even though your post made me gay.