98 3.4l Tacoma Fuel Filter Replacement

I got lassoed into changing the fuel filter on my girlfriend's truck (a guy's gotta do...) and am assuming that this link works with her model:
http://www.customtacos.com/tech/index.php?article=175

If this is the case, I am having a helluva time finding that fuel filter relay to disconnect. Any tips? I found the filter itself, but I need to purge the system, apparently...

Thanks!

 

I disconnected the battery and cracked the gas cap when I did mine. (I didn't even look for a fuel filter relay.) I suffered no "injury from gasoline under pressure" and my truck's running just fine...

The biggest hassle in the whole job was getting the new filter properly aligned and tightened (in spite of the fixed/rigid lines). FWIW, I installed a

$18 WIX 33319 Fuel (Complete In-Line) Filter, Pack of 1

WIX 33319 filter.

 

Remember the gas is on the tank side, so you want to start by removing the front (towards the front bumper) first, then the back. There are really only a few hand wrenches you'll need. Nothing special. Put a cresent wrench on the front side, and use an open end wrench to unscrew while holding the cresent wrench. Do the same for the rear, re-install. Put a drip pan underneath you, it's not going to spill everywhere should only be a few drops. Last if you open the gas cap BEFORE you start that will relieve some of the pressure. Overall about a 15-30 min job.

 

Thanks guys. Mission accomplished!
Unfortunately, that didn't stop the slight stuttering it was starting to due under acceleration...any ideas there?

 

the filter had no gas, it had to be pushed thru the system. When I changed mine, I didnt disconnect the fuel pump relay..

 

Try the cheap thing first, add a can of fuel treatment. Second, when was the timing belt and idler last replaced, do you know? If it is the idler, the engine will smooth out and come up on power as it approaches 2000 RPM pulling away from a stop.

 

Timing belt done recently. Not sure about the idler. The higher the rpms, the more chattery it becomes. Hard acceleration causes stuttering.
I have seafoam-can I just put the recommended amount in the tank? Will I need to replace the fuel filter again? I guess I could throw the old one on it for the fuel treatment.

 

I am assuming when you said fuel pump, you meant filter. No, you do not need to change back to the old filter. Add your sea foam or other fuel treatment to a full tank of gas. Run that tank completely out before adding more fuel treatment to another full tank. Use only the amount recommended, do not double up thinking if one is good, two is better. Try this before moving on to other "fixes".

 

Corrected my language. You were correct. And thanks for the advice. Let's hope it works.
Oil change tomorrow.

 

I'm thinking standard tune-up stuff... When's the last time the plugs and air filter were changed?

 

IMO I would add a full can to 1/2 tank of gas for better results, its more concentrated this way and more effective.

Also its a good thing to seafoam the intake to clean the pistons and intake manifold as well.

Spark plugs are normally standard ones so thay have a short life, I would change them, cheap and easy..people often overlook general maintenance.

 

I disconnected the battery when I did mine (and that was it).

I did have to disconnect the hard fuel lines from the underside of the body on both sides to have enough movement to get the filter in/out.

Easy job.

Just make sure you catch the gas in a bucket, have a fire extinguisher handy, and you're not exposed to any ignition sources.

 

Speed Freek,

Adding too much fuel treatment at one time is a good way to damage his oxygen sensors. I learned the hard way on this. I have never used Seafoam, so I do not know if it would be the same or not as other fuel treatments. I do agree about spark plugs and air filter being next on his list though.

 

never add anything to your tank. it does not do a damn thing. find a shop who has the MotorVac Carbon Clean fuel system cleaner machine and get a fuel system cleaning and you will notice an extreme difference. those additives will screw up more stuff then fix. its a waste of money. there is no such thing as a mechanic in a bottle.

 

Spark plugs done 2 years ago-over 30k put on the rig since then. Looks like that's where I'll start.
I may hold off on the Seafoam-the last thing I want to do is mess up a bunch of sensors. Nay-sayer's comments making me nervous.
If the plugs don't work, what's the next step?
This truck needs some love.

 

I would start here
http://4x4wire.com/toyota/maintenance/
http://4x4wire.com/toyota/maintenance/tacoma_4runner_30k/

understand you are doing it for a good cause!
In one way, it should not be anything "big" since you have not thrown a check injun lite

 

haneth,

I would try one can of fuel treatment in a full tank of fuel. You are correct about spark plugs. They are due I expect. I always changed mine around 25,000 miles. I changed coil packs every other spark plug change. Also change the PVC valve and air filter. Inspect the wires going to the coils/spark plugs. If you see cracks in the covering(rubber) consider replacing the coil packs. This is a little pricey ($70-80) but, easy to change. It would not surprise me that the coils are original, that is a lot of years, But hold off until you have done the other maintenance items first because of expense. Just take it one step at a time. As you said, it needs a lot of love.

Is this truck 2 or 4 wheel drive? I know 4 wheel drive has 5 grese zerks on driveshafts, 3 on main, 2 on shaft to front axle. I do not know if or how many on 2 wheel drive.

 

and i like to study a broad base of information, here are a few this one, the second post has alot of links
http://forum.ih8mud.com/95-gen-toyota-trucks/341631-3rd-gen-4runner-faqs.html

and this one, could help it seems like a little pain in the ass when its dying
http://www.yotatech.com/f123/do-not...replacing-tps-throttle-position-sensor-91567/

hope this helps, dont think anything could be wrong with the fuel pump, usually they just die, (at night on a dark road) and most fuel filters have a bypass on them so when they get full you just run the garbage through your engine, (and believe me no matter what they say, gas is full of shit) i have always changed mine once a year, its not hard and its not expensive.
and I have been using seafom for almost 10 years with no trouble, I had a stang 4.6 and they just love to get clogged up, I did her once a year also, and when I got my truck, I did alittle at a time and drove her around, and I was fogging for bugs!!
one thing i believe is alot of 4.6 owners started having bad carbon buildups after the gov. said everyone had to use 10% corn eth. and now they want to push it to 15% our motors really dont get hot enough to fully burn it, and you get carbon build-up in the motor.

 

Ok. Seafoam in a full tank of gas (I know, I know. Probably a waste of time). New fuel filter and just changed the spark plugs. Still doing it. And by 'it', I mean that it pretty much stutters all the way up the rpm tree in every gear. It's not debilitating-I can get up hills, accelerate to speed, etc., but it is a definitive 'stutter'.
Could it be some sort of vacuum hose?
Any suggestions appreciated.
PS-V-6 4x4