Lifetime Fuel Filter???

[Qball]

Not an 80 series filter (off of my LX470) but darn sure NOT 'lifetime'.

Yes the filter did it's job... the fuel I poured out wasn't off colored, but the the filter can become quite 'clogged up'.

You won't see or know about all the 'funk' in one unless you cut it open (see mine below). My fuel pump started whining...and its no surprise why.

Wow that's freaking awesome, I just replaced mine and I do think the whine from fuel pump is gone now that you mentioned it. I gotta go drive it and listen for the difference. Your post need to be in the FAQ.

 

[red mud fj]

Yes fuel filters will plug off! It really sucks to have to drive slow or not at all because juck has plugged it, Oh yeah how about all the corn whisky ethanol that absorbs water to cause rust!
Just change the fuel filter often and drive on.

 

[jamesg]

Rambling




You're never going to sell them that way.

Seriously though, if a truck has 130,000 miles on it and is in for a head gasket anyway, just do it. No point in putting an old one back on if you already have it off.

If we're just looking for something to PM because the guy is bored with his desk job and find wrenching cathartic, check the parking brake end to end for rust and free movement. Don't forget to lube up those bell cranks. Then remove your drive shafts and wobble the U joints about feeling for anyplace they catch. Then remove the birfields, repack them and swap sides. Then...

Oh, and don't forget to check the tire pressure so you're not wasting gas. What exactly that pressure should be is a loaded question if you have anything but stock tires on it...

And the parts keep piling up and I keep working late.

Has anyone else taken vacation time so that they have time to wrench when their truck isn't broken?

I love the sarcasm

 

[flintknapper]

Yes fuel filters will plug off! It really sucks to have to drive slow or not at all because juck has plugged it, Oh yeah how about all the corn whisky ethanol that absorbs water to cause rust!
Just change the fuel filter often and drive on.

^^^^^^^^ Agreed.

Getting ready to do my 80 Series. Found the Fuel Filter I bought a couple of years ago (intending to install it). Not procrastination, just didn't do it at the time (not fun to get to) and then simply forgot about it (or does that sound like procrastinating).


My FSM shows no 'scheduled' maintenance for the item, but that doesn't mean it is a 'Lifetime' filter as some have concluded. It is instead a 'change a needed item'. Of course....by the time you realize you NEED to change it, something bad is already happening.

So yes, I believe changing it every few years is prudent. Or if you KNOW you've had a fuel contamination issue, change it right away.

 

[94lc80series]

Whoever is calling the fuel filter "lifetime" is not correct. Toyota does not consider it "lifetime" nor do they consider it a maintainence item.

They DO consider it to be a replace as required part such as door handles, valve covers, tail light bulbs and so-on.

I.E. you change it if you have a problem with it.

Wish this had been the FIRST reply! Would've saved a lot of unnecessary reading.

 

[LINUS]

I believe that a few years ago it was a 60k service item on the cruiser. I like to change them out no longer than 100k. Yes the filter really does work, I have seen some with dirt come out the In side of the filter. I have seen some trucks perform better after service of this item. I personally do not believe that the fuel filter is a lifetime service item.

From he who sees the most used ones-

Whoever is calling the fuel filter "lifetime" is not correct. Toyota does not consider it "lifetime" nor do they consider it a maintainence item.

They DO consider it to be a replace as required part such as door handles, valve covers, tail light bulbs and so-on.

I.E. you change it if you have a problem with it.

And the fella that sold the most new ones-

That pretty much should sum it up.
I change fuel filters @ ~75-80K intervals, universally across whatever cars I own.

 

[Maleficio]

Wow that's freaking awesome, I just replaced mine and I do think the whine from fuel pump is gone now that you mentioned it. I gotta go drive it and listen for the difference. Your post need to be in the FAQ.

Filter is after the pump. Unless you mean to say the pump is quieter due to minimized resistance in the filter.

 

[Qball]

Filter is after the pump. Unless you mean to say the pump is quieter due to minimized resistance in the filter.

Most likely scenario is what you said, reduced fuel resistance for the fuel pump when under load.