Fuel filter replacement problems Options

[Mangozac]

Hi guys,

Decided to replace my fuel filter today, seeing as I've had the car for 18 months and never done it (and who knows when it was last done before I bought it). Got a Valvoline replacement filter, as specified for an ST204R.
The old filter came off easily enough. Ended up with petrol everywhere but no drama
I put the new filter on and started her up but fuel was streaming out of the bottom (inlet) line. After a few goes of loosening and checking the thread and doing it back up as tight as possible without rounding the nut, it was still leaking!

I put the old filter back on and no leaks at all. I compared the two filters. The new one is a little bigger, but the ports are still identical so I can't see why there would be a problem! I did a search and read of a couple of people who seemed to have the same problem but no fixes.

Any suggestions? Any help would be really appreciated!

Zac

[presure2]

suggestion #1
buy a toyota filter.

[Kadett]

suggestion #1
buy a toyota filter.

+100%!!!!!

[Mangozac]

Buying genuine parts is a lot more of a pain. Plus, the filter I pulled off wasn't a Toyota one. Plus, some of the posts I read said that their genuine replacement still had the same problem.

[Bitter]

did you need to replace the copper washers perhaps? was there an oring at the filter inlet that had to be replaced and is not present on the new filter?

[Mangozac]

did you need to replace the copper washers perhaps? was there an oring at the filter inlet that had to be replaced and is not present on the new filter?

No, there's no o-ring on the inlet. The outlet has 2 copper o-rings and they worked fine. The inlet is different - the metal piping is flared out and tightening the nut/fitting moulds the flare to the mating part on the filter.

The thing is that even done as tight as possible before the nut starts to round over, when you turn the engine on the fuel really streams out of the connection. That indicates that there is something really wrong there. The thread and everything is definitely ok - it mates properly and isn't cross-threaded or damaged.

I'll try taking it back - even though I've gouged the hex parts on the filter itself. The fact is that it was recommended as a replacement but simply doesn't fit so I should be able to get a refund. Then I'll ring Toyota and get a genuine.

[trdproven]

I bought me a FRAM - No issues

[Mangozac]

I bought me a FRAM - No issues

A ferromagnetic Random Access Memory? Oh, no hang on we're talking about engine parts!

What's a FRAM?

[GriffGirl]

FRAM is the brand, they sell it just about everywhere, NAPA carries it... but I don't know about in Australia. I just replaced mine like 2 weeks ago using FRAM too, I had to actually take my car to a repair shop just to get the old filter off but I had no problems putting the new one on. They did tighten it down for me though... it's good to play the damsel in distress sometimes! Plus mechanics REALLY dig it when chicks fix their own cars. They didn't charge me anything for the help, and they even let me use some of their tools and do it right there.

So, get a chick to drive your car someplace (with the old filter on so it doesn't blow up) and ask for help!

[Mangozac]

FRAM is the brand, they sell it just about everywhere, NAPA carries it... but I don't know about in Australia. I just replaced mine like 2 weeks ago using FRAM too, I had to actually take my car to a repair shop just to get the old filter off but I had no problems putting the new one on. They did tighten it down for me though... it's good to play the damsel in distress sometimes! Plus mechanics REALLY dig it when chicks fix their own cars. They didn't charge me anything for the help, and they even let me use some of their tools and do it right there.

So, get a chick to drive your car someplace (with the old filter on so it doesn't blow up) and ask for help!

Oh OK I've not heard of it here. I'm going to pick up a genuine one from Toyota this afternoon anyway.

I know about the damsel in distress thing - a friend has a 300ZX that has had lots of engine problems. She has had a LOT of work done and paid hardly anything for it

And hell, I dig it when chicks work on their cars and I'm not a mechanic!

[GriffGirl]

Yay for boobies!

[Mangozac]

Yay for boobies!

Yay for greasy boobies!

I just got off the phone with Toyota and they will have a new filter in for me on Thursday. But it's costing me 63 bucks! I think next time I change the fuel filter I'll swap the fittings and stuff over so I can use those cheap plastic ones that are easy to change.