Why you may want to change your fuel filter - '03 3.4 (More Pics added)

There are several great write ups on this, but it amazes me the amount of crud the fuel filter stops. This is on my '03 PreRunner 3.4.
I first changed the fuel filter at around 90,000 miles and changed it again this past Saturday at 141,000.
Hard to see in the picture, but there is mud like grime in the bottom of the pan of gas that came out the inlet side of the fuel filter
Both times used a Toyota OEM Fuel Filter #

$45 23300-62010 Toyota Fuel Filter - 23300-62010

23300-62010

I'll post up some pictures when I cut it open. I'm curious to see what it looks like on the inside.

*Last picture below is the new one installed

 

I do mine every 30k and the gas that comes out of the filter is the same as your pic every time....

 

That sounds like rust in the tank, if you are getting it after only 30K.
Either that or you have a ton of sediment on the bottom of your tank.

 

No rust, just the wonderful refinery product we get here.

 

I ran a magnet along the bottom of the pan of gas pictured and nothing stuck to it. You can see on the blue towels what was left when the gas evaporated from where the inlet side was dripping.

 

Cut the inlet side off yesterday afternoon. You can see in the picture more of the brown, dried up silt like deposits.

 

I tried to change mine on my 02 not having any luck as the fittings are rusted in, any thoughts on how to remove this ?

 

Not uncommon at all and I figured you would run into this.

First, use a quality well fitting line wrench, the fit can vary quite a bit. Stop before rounding the fitting or twisting/kinking the hard line.
I had a fitting rust to the line even after using anti-seize on the threads at the initial install.

The idea to free it up is to "flex" the threaded female half on the filter. Squeeze the fitting with the biggest baddest pair of channel locks or even better vice grips. Squeeze on the points of the hex not the flats. Try several squeeze and release cycles. With vice grips you can tap the jaws with a hammer to help break the bond. Use the penetrating oil of your choice.
If this doesn't do it and you still knew when to stop, break out the drill. Drill a row of holes along one of the flats to weaken the fitting then do the squeeze operation again. No need to go too deep with the drill.

I went a little deep here, but all is well.


On assembly I still use anti-seize but give the fitting a wrap with that rubber tape that fuses to itself to keep the weather out.

 

yes, its not uncommon at all for a "working" fuel filter to be full of mud like sludge that some leaks out if turned on end.

people think its ok just because gas still goes through it but they can reduce flow as they get old and dirty and that cant be good for the fuel pump life or the injectors

 

Guilty

 

I had to change mine because it was so clogged up with dirt it was making my engine rpms drop and adding TONS of strain to the pump. Now i chamge them out every 20k with napa brand filters. Plus my hard lind running from the filter to the fuel rail was literally "welded" together so went to the dealer to order a new fuel line. Long story short after 5 weeks with no truck i had to get fittings for an Acura and custom make a soft line to run from the filter to fuel rail. I hate dealership...

 

Sorry, in that case try this stuff, works every time.

 

HOLY COW!

 

Ya ! Would not want to try and get this off .... o wait

 

Might as well cut it off and buy compression fittings, flare nuts, fuel line, and a flairing tool. USE A PIPE CUTTER TO CUT THE LINE! Otherwise you will just mush it