3.4 fuel filter problems...

What's up guys? Doing all the normal tune up stuff on my new truck. Got the air filter, oil, diffs and done.trade done. Got the stuff to do the auto trans filter and gasket, just havent got to it yet. Anyways, I thought I'd change the fuel filter. The previous owner was meticulous with maintenance and only used toyota parts. Not sure how long the current fuel filter has been on though. Anyways I got a duralast filter from autozone for $18. Filter was easy enough to take off. Definitly needs changed. Couple things go I noticed, the line from the tank never stopped pouring gas, slowed some but just continued to drain. I put the new filter on and started the truck, leaked profusely from the inlet. I disconnected it and carefully threaded that side first then the outlet side. Leaked again from the inlet. So I tried to tighten it with the truck running, thinking that the line pressure may have pushed the line giving me more room to tighten it. That didn't work. So i took the filter back and got a new one. I know that the original didnt have copper washers or gaskets but the new one came with them so i tried those. Still leaked. I tried everything I can think of. So I called the toyota service dept and asked if there was a thread sealant they used, not surprisingly the tech adamantly advised against any type of sealant. I had to go to work so I put the old filter back on, not a drop leaked and I barely tightened it past snug. I have changed probably 20 fuel filters and have never had this much of an issue. I have probably installed and removed the new filter 25 times, no exaggeration. I knew from research that the 1st gen 3.4 filter was a pita but had no idea it was this bad lol. So I just got back from the stealership and bought a fuel filter from them for $53. I have spent so much time drenched in gas that I now have chemical burns on my right arm that are somewhat concerning lol. I'm probably going to wrap my arms in plastic then tape them this time, the burning is pretty intense right now. I've read a ton of threads about this and have seen people suggesting yellow teflon tape, small amounts of thread sealant, etc. I talked to a tech at the dealership today and he confirmed that they will absolutely never ever use any type of sealant on a fuel fitting. Anyways, I wanted to make this post in case someone is having the same issue. I am going to install the new OEM filter here today and I'll post if it works properly. Fingers crossed.

 

The chem burns are pretty gnarly lol, and I'm about to do it again...

 

So the OEM one I got didnt thread cleanly. I tried several times then gave up and took it off again. I was comparing it to the old one and noticed some threads messed up in the new one. the duralast ones threads are all okay but I didnt try to put it back on. So I ended up putting the old back in, again. I'll go back to the dealership tomorrow to swap this one out.

 

I always use Toyota Fuel filters buy a few at a time .

The only problems I every have is on the first change the lines are seized to the inside of the nut .

Now I use never seize on the lines

The smallest piece of grit or dirt will cause a flared fitting to leak

if you remove the gas cap it should stop the gas coming out of the tank after the line drains

 

Thanks man! I wish I had seen this 30 min ago. I might have tried again. I just dropped my truck off at the shop. Hahaha I cant believe I just had to take a truck in for a fuel filter....fml.