Fuel line disaster

I figured I would share my series of unfortunate events. I changed all 6 injectors in an attempt to fix my CEL (P0172) and figured I would change my fuel filter too. Well it turns out the fuel filter was REALLY on there and I ended up damaging the nut while removing it.
Old fuel filter on truck


Fuel line after removal


I cut off a small section of the fuel line and bought a repair kit in an attempt to fix it. This kit did not work.


Fuel line repair kit

I tried looking everywhere for a fuel line with a nut that would fit but found nothing. I then decided to just find a section of fuel line that would fit. The search for the nut continued.

Fuel line I purchased for replacement

This appears to fit, but I haven't put it on yet because I was still looking for a nut....UNTIL NOW!

Nut

I found a nut online that looks like it fits. It's for a 8mm brake line and it's 14x1.5mm (the thread size needed for 1st gen tacoma fuel filters). It has yet to arrive, so I'll update this thread with the results.

This has probably been the biggest pain in the ass I've ever encountered.

 

Pro Tip for future flared fitting work, always use a flare nut wrench. They’re specifically for these fittings so they don’t strip.

@Empty_Lord

 

I was using a flare nut wrench and a ton of pb blaster for 2 days straight with no progress, so I resorted to using some vice grips.

 

I cut a fuel filter off because the nuts were not coming off replaced it with a cartridge type filter good for 150 psi

Why I change my Fuel Filters every year .

A company called Federal Hill Trading Company is a great source for tubing and nuts

 

Thank you. I found this nut within seconds on their website. I'll be sure to buy it if the one I ordered doesn't fit.

 

This is my biggest fear. I had a hard time with my filter last time too. I don't depressurize the system so I'm prepared to leak fuel everywhere. But it's the spacing in the hard lines that requires you to pry the filter out from between the lines. Then squeeze the new one back in. FML it sucks.
.

 

Maybe yours is somewhat different mine I unbolt the lines then remove the bracket to remove and install the new filter 3.4 it is on the frame. I change so many I really don`t give it much thought.

 

The problem I had was that when removing the filter I had to bend the lines a bit to get the ends out of the filter. When putting it back in the threads didn't want to start and the filter had to be tightened pretty tight to get the seal needed to stop fuel from leaking. I didn't like that part. Replacing hard line isn't my idea of fun. Give me suspension/engine/stuff any day.

 

The nut I ordered ended up fitting. The compression fitting I have didn't fit, though. I decided to just screw a small section of hardline into the fuel filter and I'm gonna use some nylon fuel line to connect it to the fuel line already on my truck. I'm pretty much gonna do what this idiot did to his brake line, but instead do it to my fuel line.

 

Please use Fuel Injection Line (rated for the pressure) Fuel injection clamps you don`t need a high pressure fuel leak

 

is this the inlet or outlet side
do you have to replace the entire fuel line to the engine bay?
my trucks fuel filter line not been touched in probably 16 years
its supposed to be a lifetime part per Toyota...
it used to be changed every 30k miles in the long ago past

 

my truck had something silimar for years. worked fine

 

This is the outlet side (fuel filter to engine) and I'm just adding a small section of nylon fuel line rather than replacing the entire line into the engine bay.

 

Good to know that this has the potential to last for years to come

 

I had the same problem. Even with the bracket unbolted from the truck or from the filter the hard lines don't move enough to remove without bending a bit.

 

I used some fuel injector line and it worked great! The only problem I have now is the fuel filter is leaking out of the "in" side (old nut and fuel line). I'm gonna try to remove and re-tighten the nut tomorrow, but I ordered another nut in case I need to replace it. Apparently the leak is a fairly common problem. https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/new-fuel-filter-leaking.408751/

 

I'll never move farther than Colorado. Looks like a nightmare for a car/truck enthusiast.

 

Your so spoiled !

The dry climate people freak out for what is normal rust for us

 

In addition to using hose rated for fuel injection, whenever you have to cut a metal fuel line to install a clamp on hose, you should use a double flaring tool to form a bubble or bead at the ends of the metal lines. This prevents the hose from sliding off the metal lines if the clamps ever loosen. Also use fuel-injection clamps, as regular worm-drive hose clamps will cut into the hose.

Happy Motoring, Mark

 

Exactly.

I went to a parts store and asked for fuel injection clamps and they kept giving me regular hose clamps. Finally went to the stock room and found them. They had no idea that was even a thing.