Just replaced my factory original fuel filter today on a 1999 ls 400 w/ 218K.

Nice and simple job.

15mm combo wrench and vise grips did the trick for the passenger side.

17mm combo wrench and vise grips for the driver side.

10mm deep socket and a 6 inch extension should be just fine for the 2 nuts holding it onto the body.

I lucked out with another straight forward replacement job. Woohoo.

Here is a picture of the filter. Hopefully there will be some sort of performance improvement no matter how minuscule.

 

i thought the filter was in the tank.

 

you should post up a DIY

 

there is a strainer in the tank, and then there is the filter on the undercarriare. I have one but have yet to replace it. Not looking forward to have gas drip on me.
OP how did you do it to have minimal fuel spillage?

 

One method is to pull the fuel pump relay, run the car until it stalls, and open the gas cap. Then change the filter. Put the relay back in and gas cap back on, and turn the key on and off about three times to prime the system, then fire it up.

 

I was very low on fuel. about a gallon and a half left in the tank. I then filledf an alternate gas can with X (desired amount ) amount of gas. Took off the gas cap

Pulled the fuel pump fuse, but that didn't do anything. I ended up just getting under there and started plugging away. Loosened the passenger side bolt and fuel started leaking out. I just stayed out of the way and put a rag on top of the exhaust pipe to stop the splashing so I could continue to work. I also placed a container underneath where it was dripping to catch the excess. You can always use it for the ol' lawn mower or something. Whatever.

Kept on changing gloves to avoid too much contact with the gas.

I guess the bottom line is to have some fresh gas ready to put back in once you change the filters out. I also let it sit for a second after pouring the new fuel in as to let some of the dregs that have been stirred up by the pouring settle again. I do not know factually if this has any benefit. Just being cautious.

Anyhow, I am doing my dad's 98 soon so I could take some pictures and do a write up if it would benefit anyone. It would kind of seem like I was posting a tutorial for changing the oil though. There is only a few steps to this process and I won't hesitate to tell you that it is not much more difficult than changing your oil.

 

Wait, I thought the fuel filter change on the LS's wasn't necessary. I recall reading an old post about how the OEM filters aren't made to be changed??

FOUND IT: https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls4...-location.html

 

Dash, with 218K miles on my car and the original fuel filter, I'm sure changing it sure couldn't hurt. Take a look at mine cut open up top

 

Hmm I'm at 169k, definitely going to be doing mine now.

 

Well I changed mine on my '90 LS a few months ago and it was definitely dirty. Glad I did it.
BTW, my filter looked nothing like the one in pictures! Mine only had some metal screen inside.

 

Strange Peter, I was under the impression that the fuel filters were all paper like mine in the picture. Maybe yours was aftermarket?

 

best to always use a flare nut wrench, instead of your typical box wrenches, for this job. there is less chance of stripping the fitting!

 

I sure would like to have a set of flare nut wrenches. Which fitting runs the risk of stripping? The passenger side end? Doing it with the combo wrenches, I have a hard time imagining how I could have stripped it.

 

My drivers side nut was very hard to tighten. I used a normal wrench until it started to slip around the nut then I stopped. I turned on the car and gas poured out. I borrowed a friends line wrench and tightened it another 1/4" turn at most and it didn't leak a drop, man was I torqueing that thing though!

 

i said strip when i should have meant round. a box wrench will work fine but there is a higher chance of rounding the fitting using them. a flare nut wrench is made for that fitting and will work with brake lines as well.