Gas filter!

[Francis K]

For a little why I had to crank the car a few times until it finally rolled over, that and I have been getting about 6-8 gallons to the mile lately. I assumed it was the starter but a mechanic has recently brought to my attention that it's more likely the gas filter. The idle also has been kinda rough lately, might be the timing belt.


Anyone have any expierence with this on an 80 series, is it a do it yourself type of thing?

 

[Scamper]

I'd start with a good throttle body cleaning, and run a can of good injector cleaner thru (most guys like SeaFoam, 44K, or Redline). Fuel filter may need to be replaced, but it a bit of a PIA. But it doesn't sound like your truck is being starved for fuel, so I'd be less inclined to change that out right away.

How many miles, and when was the TB last checked/cleaned?

 

[Cruiserhead05]

I have a question about the fuel filter also...If it doesnt seem to be a problem at what point should it be changed? i'm at 245k and its never been touched, think i should just leave it?

I'm not really looking forward to doing it though, i know its quite a job.

 

[sixsracing]

Fuel filters should be done every 30K miles or so as a general rule.

Francis, your 80 doesn't have a timing belt. It has a chain. If your mechanic suggested this then you may need to look for a new shop to do your work.

When was the last time you changed the plugs? Did a minor tune up? I would suggest doing at least a minor tune up just to baseline your truck so you know where your at. The fuel system cleaner won't hurt, but usually by the time a truck gets this bad the cleaner will not be enough.

Good luck.

 

[MLX450]

I asked the stealership about the Fuel filter and how often it should be replaced and they said that on most toyota SUV's they do not change the fuel filter due to the high pressure.... bla bla bla.... Cars on the other hand need to be replaced at regular intervals.... i was like whatever.... is this true? I also asked him (the toyota master mechanic) about the valve adjustment... and he said on the 1FZ engines use the "puck" style and do not have to be adjusted.... then he said if it aint broke... dont fix it....

 

[concretejungle]

i recently changed out all belts, all fluids, new plugs, new plug wires, new dizzy cap, new dizzy rotor and new intake hose. I haven't cleaned the TB yet as i will do that when i put the new valve cover gasket on. But, i can tell a huge difference in the pep and overall performance of the engine.

 

[RavenTai]

I changed my fuel filter when I got the truck with 106k on the clock. If its history is unknown I would change it as preventive maintenance, get the Toyota filter it is well made and not to expensive.

long cranks is one of the symptoms of a bad fuel pump relay, myself and several other have had problems with them, the other symptom is complete loss of power during medium to heavy acceleration

The first time I had a problem with my fuel pump relay the truck refused to start, after trouble shooting I bumped the fuel pump relay and it became intermittent, sometimes starting and sometimes not, also had problems with acceleration. took the fuel pump relay apart and cleaned the contacts with contact cleaner, worked good for 6 months or so until earlier this week when it was hard starting again, cleaned it again and so far no more troubles, if it acts up again I may sand the contacts like Landtank did or just pony up the $100 for a new relay.


"6-8 gallons to the mile lately"

I hope this is a type-O

I also asked him (the toyota master mechanic) about the valve adjustment... and he said on the 1FZ engines use the "puck" style and do not have to be adjusted.... then he said if it aint broke... dont fix it....

He is right in that this engine does use "puck" shims, but wrong it will eventually need adjustment, I measured mine, all were close to the top of the allowed lash one was .001" over, I have not gotten to the adjustment yet.

 

[brianinaustin]

I'd like to break into the LC valves some day, but don't know what's entailed. Do the cam lobes slide, or how do you access the shim? How do you do a throtle body cleaning?