Most Unserviceable 80 Part: It Is NOT the PHH

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Back when I joined this legendary forum in '09, I read much about the feared PHH. Had me a little scared. I ordered the kit to replace and upgrade it nonetheless. When I mustered up the courage to dive into it, I found it wasn't that big a deal. I finished within an hour.

Today I found the part that should really send you quaking in your boots and wetting your diaper - the fuel filter. I suspect many think it's legendary, ignoring it because they can't see it - even after they've been told it's under the intake manifold.

But like ogres and trolls that live under bridges, it's actually there - and it sometimes needs to be changed as mine does currently. Old is out finally, let's see if I can install a new one. Argh! My guess is the Toyota engineer who put it there is still in the witness protection program, you think?
 
I never found it an issue! I’d take a fuel filter over the VSV any day!
 
Remove gas cap.
Do the lines up top with ratchet, get the lines loose. Then hit the two bolts that hold it on from the bottom with a long extension. Sloting the inboard side does make it easier.
 
I did mine a few months ago. What a pain in the a** that was, swore I would pay to have it done next time. It's just an awkward location to work in.
 
I found it to be just fine with the couple little tricks mentioned in many threads, but I'm not working with tree trunk arms.

That said, did the one on my 98 4Runner the other day, and it's certainly easier access.
 
I did my 80 several years ago. Dont remember it as being a problem. I do remember taking off starter and the multiple wobble extensions needed. That was a pain in the ass.
 
Remove gas cap.
Do the lines up top with ratchet, get the lines loose. Then hit the two bolts that hold it on from the bottom with a long extension. Sloting the inboard side does make it easier.
This is how I did it. I had no access from the sides so mostly done on my back with extensions and I think that saved me a bunch of time. i didn't do the slotting but that would have likely made it quicker. .
 
Hey, mine was a snap, no idea why anyone thinks this is a big deal. Of course, I did pull the engine to change the head gasket, accessing it them was super easy...
 
Okay, after that, I can think of two items I would consider to be much harder. Replacing the high pressure line for the power steering system. An replacing the heater hoses and lines going back to the rear heater. It is impossible to do without pulling the engine. But then again, you can easily reach that fuel filter!
 
fuel filter 80 series.png
FF slot3.jpg
 
Yeah, I was having the slot idea BEFORE I watched a Youtube on this by an Aussie named 2ndGearLow. He offered that and made the rest look easy with some judicious editting. I'm thinking this won't be so bad after all. Once I got at things, I realized why it looks easier Down Under - there's no master cylinder and associated plumbing in the way on a RHD vehicle!
 
On RHD with the 1HZ, everything is pretty easy to get to, which I'm thankful for. I think the least accessible part on all these vehicles is the rear main oil seal. Hard to think of something harder to get to than that. I'm about to do a clutch replacement, and I'm definitely doing that seal while I'm in there.
 
If you have never replaced the vacuum lines under the upper intake I'd say pull it and then do the fuel filter.

I recall doing my fuel filter years ago and it being a hassle. I've heard that the upper oil pan gasket takes the cake though....
 
The problem with the PHH, its next door neighbor, fuel filter, VSV and associated vacuum lines is that people try to short cut the job. Pull the upper intake and do them all at once. Only 8 fasteners on the intake and you can give everything a good clean including the throttle body. 1 Saturday every 100K miles isn't a big ask...
 
Knocked mine out along with vac lines when the head was off.
 

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