desantura

hello i got lexus rx300 milege is 106000 so think the fuel filter needs to be change. when i was buying that. thay told me that the filter is inside the tunk. so to change the filter sould i take off the tank or they have some easier way to change? thank you

thomas1

I would not think you need to do that, I have 148k miles and have never changed the filter. It can be assessed by removing the rear seat. Lex Mex on this site was doing pictures. but unless the car has been in a third world country I dont think I would bother, unless you are having problems or someone tampered with your fuel tank.

Lexmex

Avoid it, you have what I call magic gas in the United States, nice and clean, good combustion.

At some point in the future, not now, I am going to do this. Likely when I re-enter the U.S. since the gas here frankly sucks. After blowing one pre-cat on the stuff, I can only imagine the second time I will see the fuel filter changed again. Last time it was at a Lexus dealer years ago and it was the worst filter they had ever seen, loaded with crud. Generally, they see not much, and usually do a fuel filter change out only when the customer absolutely demands it, thank god I did.

To do it, you have to remove the driver's side rear seat and there is an access hole, but I can tell you that from the instructions alone, this is a major PITA.

What I would recommend is using some Redline Fuel System Cleaner. That seemed to get my little RX much happier and I don't seem to get the P0171 errors that I used to get only a few months ago. I used to get them because I was ramming an obscene amount of air (still am) into my engine with one of my air intake adaptations and the fuel system obviously couldn't keep up as much, but would I have been noticing is that almost within a day of using that product, the errors are still there but MUCH fewer. I used to have a P0171 lean error everyday, but now rarely, maybe once a week.

MellonC00

Don't do it. You don't need it.

lexus114

I think with these fuel systems(wich I believe they should have external filter)You really dont need to change unless the pump goes bad.

acerx300

Funny how maintenance items recommendations vary widely from manufacturers. I just replaced my wife's '02 Bmw 325 CiC fuel filter w/ only 68k miles on it. And it's recommended by most Bimmer heads enthusiasts every 60k miles. Luckily it's a relatively simple procedure on these cars.

salimshah

Bmw uses in line filter. Any thing that enter the pipe from the tank clogs up the filter.

The in-tank filter prevents things getting in the pipe. As fuel sloshes around in the tank the filter gets surface cleaning.

Salim

SLPR

Do you guys happen to know the part number of the RX 300 filter or a good place to buy one? Thanks!

SLPR

Nevermind, just found it. Here is the link if anybody is interested:
http://www.***************/store/?N=10...656+11921+9293

gsrthomas

iTrader: (1)

I'm not going to change it until my fuel pump goes. No way I'm going to drop the tank and replace a filter. I have 110k miles on my car.

JohnLX300

iTrader: (2)

I replaced the fuel filter in my RX, I thought it was pretty easy. But I have replaced over about 5-7 fuel filters that were in the tank before. The only plus about the RX, is the access hole on top for the pump. It makes it a lot easier than dropping the tank. I did that once to help a friend, never again. I will only help out with the access from the top.

code58

A lot, if not most in tank FP's have a filter sack incorporated into them. Strangely, I don't remember reading of anyone else having to replace one. My DIL's '99Rx has 140K + mi. on it and the original filter with no problems at all. At least Lexus was thinking with their head when they made the underseat access. Hope you didn't change those others while they were full of fuel! Just poke a hole in the bottom corner of the tank to drain it and then put a screw in the hole when you're done. JK JK JK

salimshah

I too would like to know what drove you to replace it. What was the condition and how many miles? Inquiring minds want to know.

Salim

JohnLX300

iTrader: (2)

I am the second owner of my RX. Not knowing how the original owner kept up with it, drove me to replace it. I had 95k when I replaced it. Any yea it looked brand spankin' new.

salimshah

I am not surprised. The inline fuel filters need replacement as any thing that is pumped will be trapped there (at least that is the theory). The in tank filters remain clean due to sloshing in the tank and the junk forms sediment in the tank.

Tank rust and quality of fuel are the main reasons for the junk in the tank. Out side of US, I have seen places where the gas station owners would stop selling gas for hours after truck load of gas is brought in [fresh gas in the underground tanks, stirs up the junk which would interfere with their pumping equipment .... I really doubt that the welfare of the motorists was ever in their mind ]

Salim